Today is Friday!

Today is Friday, everyone!! Doesn't it make you want to sing? We had a lovely evening rain and now the sun is shining on our little garden, humming birds have already visited once today, the clouds have parted, the fields are green with life and song! Doesn't it make you want to join the choir of nature??!!

This a.m. I did Basic Flow Yoga with Deni Preston. Episode 108, I believe. I NEVER do the same show two days in a row. When I woke I felt a bit groggy, yesterday was a long day and today will also be long a full... I did not feel like I should run. I still feel like I should continue to rest a bit from running. Perhaps part of this is because I am slightly out of alignment. I plan on making an appt with my chiropractor today. I can feel this minor misalignment especially during yoga, but it would be more noticeable if I were running and I dare say uncormfortable.

I did a LOT of walking yesterday, some in the rain, it was all wonderful. Some of the children were with me while others were busy with dance rehearsals and volunteering... so the littlier ones and I walked and walked, played in the sunshine, the 3 yr old has some sunsplashes on her cheeks now.

Basic Flow this a.m. included some of my favorite poses! Side Plank, Triangle, Big Toe Pose to name a few. There are lots of great things about yoga. One of those great things is that you can see your own progress. Triangle used to be my LEAST favorite pose. Now? I OWN Triangle!! I am ALL over that badboy. I've opened up and am able to go deeper and deeper into the pose as I exhale. It's lovely. Granted I need to open more on reverse triangle and reverese is NOT a favorite pose. But it's all a journey. Another great thing about yoga is that, if you keep at it, you learn to let go of self judgement. I'm no longer worried or negetive about my being tight in reverse triangle or any other pose. I simple have joy when I find - "OOh, I've opened up there!". And I feel "hmmmm" when I find I'm not as open in another pose. When I feel stiff or tight first I walk through my bandhas, do I have them all pulled in? Are my muscles hugging against my bones? Am I lifting my ribs to elongate my spine? Did I approach the pose properly? Are my feet and hands positioned properly? - Sometimes I'll go out of the pose and apprroach it again. And if I find I'm still tight and stiff, then I accept it and relax MORE! I love the peace that comes with letting go of self judgement! Then, naturally it GRADUALLY becomes something I can apply across the board to everyone! That, I believe, is key having more inner peace - letting go of any kind of judgement. Accepting things as they are and letting go of the desire to alter it. That is part of the yoga journey.

I find this also in running. It is senseless and counter productive to berate yourself for a bad run. It is much better to simply accept it and let go of it. The moment is passed - it cannot be changed. Moving forward is the only sane option. Beating yourself up for it will only cause more tension and a possibility of a worse run next time. The lesson applies in relationships as well. If someone does something that hurts you - it does not improve the relationship situation to go yell at them. But if after you let go of the hurt you talk to them about what you felt and why you may both move your relationship to something more trusting and understanding when neither is concerned about the judging or the pride of being right, etc. It's beautiful. It doesn't always work out, but I try. Sometimes I'm the prideful one, sometimes I'm the one who hurt the other. But I try. It's a journey and I LOVE IT!!

I believe the same lessons are found in any discipline. Singing, acting, any sport (especially team sports), andy activity you find joy in and have passion to perfect can teach you these lessons. I believe that the powers that be (Universe, God, whatever powers you believe in) are constantly trying to teach us these lessons about love and inner peace and tranquility.

I learn soooo much! I am FAR from perfect in any lesson that I am learning from these joys in my life, but I am learning! And I love it!

After yoga- naturally meditation!! LOVE LOVE LOVE meditation! The 3 yr old sat in my lap towards then end, which used to irritate me - and I try to overcome, but today it brought additional peace.

So, shower, and onto the rest of my day! I hope you'll join me next week when I begin my training. I'll devulge more about the program soon, so stay tuned! Bright blessings to you all!!