As soon a school ended in May of 1982, my parents, my two siblings, our large Irish Setter-Black Lab mix, Sam, and I squeezed into our Toyota Corolla Hatchback to drive from Omaha, Nebraska to Yellowstone National Park. This was not for vacation. My father was a Park Service employee and had been transferred from … Continue reading Yellowstone
Tag: Mindfullness
Mindfullness
Monday Morning Yoga
This morning I started class with the fall mediation I shared here. Durning the long hold, restorative poses I noticed the shadows of the leaves outside of the window dancing in the bright rays of the early morning on the studio floor. During class I offered several mantras including: “When I release tension, I lessen … Continue reading Monday Morning Yoga
The Observer
When I am able to step away from the commotion around me, to see what is happening, I become the observer. When I am able to pause the stories in my head and see what emotion they are covering or protecting, I become the observer. My daily physical and spiritual practices not only ground me, … Continue reading The Observer
Mantra Monday: Space on the High Road
Though I have heard or read “You can’t control other people, you can only control your reactions to them” or the abbreviated version, “You can only control your actions and reactions,” hundreds of times, I was sure I had superpowers. I have spent my life trying to control people, outcomes and situations. I was always … Continue reading Mantra Monday: Space on the High Road
Space
The Sunday before Labor Day Weekend, I did an meditation with my on-line community. We started with box breathing*, then listened to the manta I have shared, and then meditated for five minutes on the question, what is mine to create. What immediately came to me was the word space. I next spent the rest … Continue reading Space
Mantra Monday
I allow myself to release all that no longer serves me. As humans we tend to stuff emotions so we do not have to feel anything even slightly uncomfortable. When emotions try to surface, we stuff them down with food, drink, drugs, binge TV, extreme dieting, anger, shopping and other activities that actually harm the … Continue reading Mantra Monday
Mantra Monday: I Am Light
There is a reason why “I Am Light” sung by India Arie is on at least one of every yoga teacher’s playlists, including one of mine. I play my “Come onto the Light -Bliss” playlist often in the morning. Sometimes for a personal, free form yoga practice or often while I’m getting ready for the … Continue reading Mantra Monday: I Am Light
Monkey Brain vs. Monk Brain
Lately my monkey brain has been working overtime drudging up narratives of shame, comparisons, anger, victimhood and complaints. One morning this week the monkey started before I got out of bed, quieted down while I did yoga and meditated and then returned with a vengeance as I got ready for work. My fiery nature was … Continue reading Monkey Brain vs. Monk Brain
Mantra Monday: Caught Red Handed
It was 10 a.m. in the small, urbane grocery store. I was looking at organic produce that I would use for my morning green juice. I guess I got a little excited because a friendly, female voice said, “That is a happy dance.” I did not realize that I had done a little wiggle in … Continue reading Mantra Monday: Caught Red Handed
Mantra Monday
Mantras and affirmations are a part of my daily practice. I like to recite my ever evolving list of four to six mantas as part of my meditation practice. I keep my current affirmation list on my phone and on a post-it note on my desk at work. When I feel myself becoming frustrated, agitated, … Continue reading Mantra Monday
The Yoga Cowgirl 