Nature is everywhere. A sidewalk tree, leaves underfoot, moss in the cracks, flocks of pigeons, solitary hawks and noisy seagulls.
Feel the wind on your face. Open up your senses to it and you’ll realize that nature is all around you.
Breathing
Show up and be
Yoga doesn’t mind about your mood. Its nose doesn’t get put out of joint because your mind is all over the place, or you feel bloated, achy and tired. Yoga doesn’t mind if you are feeling out of sorts.
It’s just asking you to show up and be. That’s all. The rest will take care of itself.
Take the leap and believe in magic
Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it – Roald Dahl
Falling out and learning how not to
Yoga is about gentle balance. A yoga pose is about using body weight and strength to oxygenate. The only way to improve is to gently push the body beyond its comfort level as technique improves. Going beyond the limits means losing balance and sometimes falling out of a pose. Don’t get frustrated when a pose ‘breaks’ and you find yourself flat on the mat. Falling out and learning how not to is the way to improve.
Gently push yourself everyday, and remember if you are forcing it then it isn’t yoga.
Going out, is going in
‘I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.’ – John Muir
Looking and Learning
Traveling keeps me sharp, on my toes and exercises my curiosity muscle. My eyes are wide open, always looking and learning. Where’s the ferry? Where’s the train? How do I buy tickets? Where do I stand? Am I going in the correct direction? What’s the weather like this evening? Where can I swim? Where do I eat? How much does that cost? What’s that accent? Friend or foe?
Travel also makes me grateful for the every day well worn rituals of home. After the intense stimulation of the unknown, returning home is like laying on my back in Savasana and breathing in the moment.
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