Everyday Yogini

If you visit here often, you know I have a deep love and respect for Pema Chodron. I think my Dad introduced me to her writings many years ago - thanks Dad!!

I just ran across this quote by her and for whatever reason it really struck me today:

“The trick is to keep exploring and not bail out, even when we find out that something is not what we thought. That’s what we’re going to discover again and again. Nothing is what we thought.”

I don’t know about you, but I have certainly found this to be true! I’ve been able to stay with it (whatever “it” might be) on occassion and it IS transformative and freeing. Are you fighting with some idea or experience today? Can you let go of what you think is happening and just live the experience - develop your curiousity muscles?

Hint: A great place to practice being curious and “staying” is on your Yoga mat or meditation cushion!

A home practice is the heart of Yoga. That being said, it took me years to get in the groove of practicing at home. It’s daunting, and, at least for me, I felt that if I couldn’t devote an hour, it wasn’t worth it. If this line of reasoning sounds familiar, please, learn from me and take this to heart: If you have 10 minutes, practice 10 minutes and bask in your 10 minute home practice. Even 10 minutes (heck, even 5 minutes) per day can be transformative!

When we come to Yoga or Meditation, we do so for a number of reasons. Knowing our reasons can help us stay the course with our practice. Some of the reasons that people choose to practice are:

- A healthier body
- To quiet the mind
- To be more present, mindful
- To strengthen the qualities that asanas embody
- To see (and transform) how we “do” life

No matter why we begin a practice, eventually, a steady practice leads us to perspective, a clear(er) mind, and a greater ability to respond instead of react.

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A home practice requires very little of us. An open mind, an empty stomach and bare feet are all that we really need. A sticky mat is helpful, but certainly not necessary (as proven by Lia). The most important thing is to know what is essential for YOU to be able to create a home practice. Do you need a video, or a podcast? Are books enough for you? Give yourself the gift of creating circumstances for success, and then, set reasonable time commitments for your practice.

Hint: I NEVER say to myself, “I am going to practice for an hour every day.” Honestly, I would never practice!! Typically I commit to 15 - 20 minutes of daily practice, and often, more time appears. It’s a recipe for success.

Here are some questions that can help you get started with a home practice:

Why do you practice? What are you seeking?

What do you feel you need to do at home to create practice time? (ie; “the house has to be spotless before I can practice.”) Is it really true? Or realistic?

Can you make (or find) 10 minutes per day for your practice?

If you don’t practice at home (and you want to), what stops you?

If you had 10 minutes per day set aside for practice, what would you fill it with? (ie; “3 asanas and 5 minutes of meditation”)

Got questions about creating a home practice? You can
Ask the Yogini, or, if you have a successful home practice, tell us how you’ve done it!

Recently I was approached by Jennifer Able of Tara Books to take a look at a Yoga/Art book they recently published. Jennifer not only works for Tara Books, but she also authored the text of the book, so, she graciously sent off a signed copy which I received on New Year’s Eve.

This gem of a book is more than meets the eye. A small volume, it is easy to sit down and read through it in 15 minutes. However, leave it out and I promise you will be drawn back to it’s pages again and again.

The artwork is captivating and inspiring, the words are just enough to provoke inquiry. It is delightful to see asanas in this way - as the embodiment of qualitites that we seek to nuture through our practice. Although I often use this kind of imagery in teaching, it is a completely different experience to see it depicted in art. Really, the back of the book says it best,

“Metamorphosis playfully explores the extraordinary moment when the body of the yogi meets the object of contemplation. Twenty one stunning paintings and evocative text visualize Yoga’s potential to transform the relationship between body, mind, and imagination. This is a book to be treasured by anyone interested in teh philosophy and practice of Yoga.”

Typically, I give away the items that I receive for review, and this is no exception, BUT instead of giving this beautiful, signed book away on my blog, it will be a prize for a lucky Yogi or Yogini who completes a month of practice at WoYoPracMo. I will let you know who wins…

And, if you feel inspired to purchase the book, or you know of a Yogi or Yogini who would love to be inspired in their practice, you can purchase the book at Amazon.