Category Archives: Relax

February 2, 2013 · 6:24 pm

Three-Leaf Clovers

Strolling through the hills on my (mostly) usual afternoon walk with Charlie, I notice the vibrant green bunches of clover dotting the hillside, little yellow buds poking out of the bunchs attached by winding vine-like stems. I notice the bright green, almost flourescent color, and the perfection of each little clover with its heart-shaped leaves. Thought of spring come on this Groundhog Day. It is predicted to be an early one but this cloudy day offers little evidence of the sunny days to come. Only the clovers springing up through the mud left from last week’s rain give me the light feeling of winter’s end approaching in a month or so.

I appreciate the simple little clovers and only after observing them for a few minutes, realize that I am supposed to be looking for a four-leaf clover. Perfection. There isn’t one, of course. Perfection isn’t always readily available so why do we search for it, scold ourselves for not achieving it and judge ourselves and others with perfection as the barometer? It is a human condition to reflect on the past and the “if only” that result from those sad recollections. To worry about the future and the unknown events that await.

Arriving home, Charlie is not content to stay inside just yet so we wander in the yard and relax on his favorite lounge chair. Here he is content. I gaze forward at the mountains across the Valley and notice for the first time that I can see a mountain range beyond the first set. For a cloudy day the visibility is exceptional. A little sliver of sky remains under the clouds and it is that sliver that allows me to peek beyond the first barrier of mountains. Breathing. In and out. With Charlie resting between my legs, but poised, observing every little bird, every leaf moving slightly in the slight breeze, I am able to rest in the present.

Breathing

In my yoga practice, my favorite thing is Ujjayi Pranayama. This is the breath that sounds like an ocean in my throat and is especially satisfying when I can’t physically be at the beach, looking at the ocean. When time must stand still, in an asana, while showing patience, or while gathering courage, breathing can help. So, in lieu of a mantra, since I’ve never officially been given one, I create my own. I am breathing in, I am breathing out.

Teaching this to children, 5 year-olds, is an enlightenment in itself. Have you ever heard children cheer when told it was time for yoga? Have you ever witnessed the serious face of a small child gazing over his hand in Warrier 2, or smiled secretly as a little girl in triangle pose looked up at her hand and said, “Hello hand!”

Yoga can mean moving into a posture, noticing one’s environment, listening to one’s body or simple quieting the mind long enough to breathe and be calmed by that magical sound.

Gratitude, like yoga, is a practice too. I am grateful to my teachers, to have a beautiful space to practice, to have a special place in my home to continue that practice and to share the gift of calm with 27 rambunctious 5 year-olds, who move through out the day, but who are grateful for the opportunity to slow down, listen to their private ocean and breathe in and out.

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Filed under gifts, Life thoughts, Relax, Teaching

Tagged as Teaching, yoga

September 13, 2012 · 6:45 am

Taking My Time

I am taking my time. This is something new for me because I operate at high-speed, my Type A personality functioning best with lists, schedules, and immediacy. I return emails promptly, phone calls a.s.a.p. and strive to fix all problems with ingenious solutions. Breathing deeply is a struggle for me and sitting to relax usually results in immediate sleep because when my motor slows down, it just stops.

Recently however, I have come to a realization. Most situations are not emergencies. Most questions do not require immediate answers and most importantly, time is precious. So, I am taking my time. I am training myself to breathe first, listen more carefully and ponder more often. I have not come to this conclusion alone. I have had many mentors along the way both virtual and those in my real life. The books I read keep me focused on the importance of taking each moment as a special gift.

So if I take a little long to make a decision, to respond to an email, to text back and answer or to return a phone call, you now know why. I am taking my time.

It is amazing what a little breath can do to quite a heartbeat, improve vision, sharpen hearing and to enhance perspective.