Sunday 14 August 2011

Link Love

I just read this amazing post on The Daily Love and wanted to share it with you. I am having one of those days of internal struggle, where my negative mind is trying to shoot down any positive thoughts and ideas I have today. I think I may re-read this over again... then go meditate on it! Hope this resonates with you today.

Love The Uncertainty

Namaste, ERIN

Sunday 7 August 2011

Grateful Sundays

This morning I got up early to go to the free yoga class at my local Lululemon. At the time, all I wanted to do was stay in bed and be lazy, but sadly I have been lazy all week, and I promised myself that I would go today - no excuses, no questions asked. As I was getting ready to go, I could feel that my muscles were tight and sore. The thought of doing yoga really appealed to me at that moment, knowing the amazing feeling of the stretches. My body was craving yoga, and the class did not disappoint. Not too strenuous for first thing in the morning, but still challenging enough to feel like you're getting a bit of a workout. When savasana arrived, I felt so peaceful and relaxed. All day now I have been in a great mood. Even though it's a rainy day here, I am still finding small things to make me smile. That brings me to the name of the post. For the last couple of weeks, I've started keeping a list every Sunday in a notebook: "5 Things I Was Grateful for This Week." I thought it might be a nice way to look for the positive in everyday life (something I have trouble doing when the long mundane days start to add up!) Today, I sat outside under the cover of my big maple tree while it was raining and watched as the sun tried to peek through the clouds. It seems so magical when the sun shines during a rain, and it never fails to make me smile. So that will go on the list. Earlier this week, I had a single serving mini Hagen-Dazs (Dulce de Leche). So good, and it even came with it's own mini spoon. I didn't even know they made those! That will go on the list as well. I think it's all the little tiny things in life (that seem insignificant on their own) that add up to happiness when you take the time to pay attention. My intention this morning in class was to be present during the practice, and I think it's followed me through the rest of my day. I'm enjoying each little part of this Sunday, focusing on the present moment, and not wasting my time worrying about tomorrow. The only part of the future that has crept into my mind today? I'm having sushi for dinner. And I can promise you that it will definitely be going on the list!

Namaste, ERIN

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Decisions decisions...

So, here I am. I have been practicing yoga consistently since January 2010, when a good friend said "Hey. Why don't you come to hot yoga with me?" I went (terrified) and haven't looked back since. I fell in love. At first it was the exercise. The sweat freaked me out, but I quickly got used to it and loved the way I felt after a good class. But soon after, I started to realize there were more benefits than just a good workout. I began to come away from classes feeling inspired by something the teacher had said. I began to link breath to movement, which helped to quiet the hamster on the wheel (a.k.a. my brain!) I felt like all I wanted to do was more yoga! I read countless yoga blogs and websites. In fact, my husband can't understand how I can be on Facebook for hours at a time almost every night. I'm sure he thinks I'm creeping an ex-boyfriend or something, but in reality, I'm reading all the posts of all the yoga-related pages that I have "Liked". I take my inspiration in any form I can get it, as many times a day as I can get it. Yoga has fully engulfed me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. And that's kind of why I'm here. I have been wrestling with the decision of whether or not to take a Yoga Teacher Training course. I have explored my options and gone over and over the pros and cons in my head. Unfortunately, the hamster in my head is a bit strong-willed and he seems to only tell me the cons of my decisions, which is why I haven't made any decisions yet. However, I went to see "Friends With Benefits" yesterday. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are awesome... and what does that have to do with yoga? Well, I told you, I take my inspiration as it comes. Who am I to argue? Anyway, I won't give away the story, but basically the part when Dylan's father tells him that life is too short, really got to me. I almost stood up in the theatre to give a resounding "Hell yeah!" (But the hamster wouldn't allow it.) Regardless, it spoke to me. And that's when I decided - I'm doin' it! Less emphasis on the mind (hamster) making all the important choices in my life and more emphasis on following the heart. I guess that's where the Sparrow part of it comes in. I have a bird thing. Ask my husband... there are figurines all over the house! I love those feathery little critters. And if I had to pick an animal to represent my heart, it would be the sweetest little one you can find - my sparrow. So that's that. I will be starting my Teacher Training in the fall, and I wanted to place to document my journey. And I think I've found it. I hope you can be a part of it :) Thanks for observing the first flight of the Sparrow Yogi.

Namaste, ERIN