Everyday Yogini

While the pony pile grows wider and higher,
I vow with all Beings,
To honor my daughter’s first passion,
Embrace the wonder of life through her eyes.    

While lazing pool-side this summer,
I vow with all beings,
To enjoy the cool water completely,
Let my inner kid be in charge for a while.  

Perhaps this Gatha will reveal to you all the reason for my absence from blogging over the last few weeks.  My new work with the Embassy, coupled with lots of time at the pool with Clara, added to the regular machinations of keeping a family happy, means little (no) time to blog.   Pool season is quickly coming to a close, so be patient with me, please!  I promise to return with fresh, Yogic insights…  

When eating a sweet summer zuppa,
I vow with all Beings,
To savor each spoon of rich flavor,
Thanking rain, sun, and soil in turn.  

___________

As the breeze comes in through the window,
I vow with all Beings,
To listen to birds serenading,
As warm air touches skin with it’s warmth.

___________

As Clara runs up for a hug,
I vow with all Beings,
To open to her boundless spirit,
Drinking in this sweet time in our lives.

___________

May your weekend be filled with moments of joy… 

I have been fighting off the dreaded stomach flu this week, which has made my desire to blog exactly zero. I am ready to feel well, especially as the weather turns lovely and warm here in Rome.

Over the course of careening in and out of sleep (between stumbling in and out of the bathroom) this gatha of gratitude came to me:

When a virus takes over my tummy,
I vow with all beings,
To say thank you to my dear husband,
Who takes over while I care for me.

Tomorrow I am going to post a book review and giveaway of a terrific book that I have been reading! Don’t miss it…

When befriending that which is painful,
I vow with all Beings,
To listen closely for the instruction,
Not bolt, as I would much love to do.

When the trees blossom pink and it’s sunny,
I vow with all Beings,
To bask in the beauty of Spring time,
Go outside, and hear all the birds sing!

It is gorgeous here in Rome today. I think I can say that Spring has officially arrived. The cherry trees are already dropping their little petals in the wind and people are stripping off the fur coats (that they really didn’t needs in the first place…). I went for a walk today in Villa Ada and I was blown away by how absolutely beautiful and serene the park is. I am also extraordinarily grateful that it is practically our back yard.

I’ve decided that winter is a particularly difficult time of year to arrive in a new city, because a city cannot really be at it’s best during the cold hibernation of winter. Now that nature is working her stuff here in the city, it is like being in a different place altogether.

Can you tell? I have Spring Fever! So, please, Yoginis, cut me some slack. I want to go outside and play a bit. I will post for sure, but life is coming into full bloom and it is time to enjoy the abundance and beauty of nature (before mosquito season)!

I am participating in a creativity circle online with Kimberly Wilson for the next eight weeks, and today, I am just brimming with excitement for this course and gratitude for life in general! The course focuses intently on the book, The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron, so I’ve been writing my morning pages for about a week now and planning Artist Dates for myself.

For my date this week, I will be taking myself to Villa Borghese with my sketch pad for an hour of people watching and sketching. Although this might sound sort of humdrum, I haven’t pulled out my sketch pad since Clara was born, not to mention all my art supplies were in storage when we were living in Arlington. This is very exciting for me and I am looking forward to this time… I am no Picasso, but I so enjoy drawing and painting!

The following week, I am going to this place called Acqua Madre with a friend and her daughter. Technically, these are supposed to be solo outings, but really. This is definitely a pampering date with myself!

In the spirit of pampering and self-care, I chose to take a nap in savasana at the end of my Yoga practice today. A few weeks ago I was messing around with shoulder opening poses and injured my right shoulder. My neck and shoulder have been tight and painful ever since, so I’m not sleeping well. I took advantage of my naturally sleepiness and relaxation post-practice. It was lovely and I felt so refreshed when I woke up!

I have also decided to put a serious cap on computer time when Clara is home. Through my explorations with morning pages, I keep bumping up against my own guilt at how much time I spend on the computer versus engaging with Clara. So, for the time being, my Gatha stands. Now, of course I have ample time for the computer when Clara is in school, but tomorrow, I am interviewing for the position of editor/writer of the embassy newspaper. I am very, very excited about the prospect and look forward to hearing more about the job! Wish me luck, although this is one more thing that will require my attention!

Such a large part of living Yoga (or any spiritual practice) with a family and small children is striking a balance, and I suppose that’s what I am working towards as life here becomes busier. It really is a dynamic, never-ending process to attend to one’s own needs and also meet the needs of children, partners, deadlines, homework, etc. Being mindful and fully present to the moment at hand is the best way to achieve balance… because the present moment is the only place from which we can respond, with clarity and an open heart, to what is required of us.

When Clara demands my attention,
I vow with all beings,
To see the world as she might,
And get off the computer… for now.

When anger is clouding my vision,
I vow with all beings
To acknowledge my inner control-freak,
And do what it takes to let go.

As circumstance shifts and changes,
I vow with all beings,
To accept that even best effort,
In the end, offers no guarantee.