The Lesson Of The Challenge

Thanks Dorcas for creating another opportunity for folks to support each other on the path & to remember we need each other & are not alone. Thanks for creating the challenge to develop daily practices that will help us stay on the path and recognize sooner when we have fallen off. And it's not so much how much we practice but what we learn from the practices. That the asanas teach us how to stay grounded and flexible when things get rough.  To breathe and stay, ride the wave til the difficulty subsides or passes. And how to not be so attached to things and reactive, to practice being silent & still so we can do it off the mat.

Thanks everyone, for walking with me.

Blissings

Julie

Just Breathe

Life can throw us a curve ball and how we respond to that curve ball is what matters.

Historically, I react, I shut down and I use life's difficulties as an excuse not to practice yoga, exercise or have a quiet time. I have been practicing not to react, shut down, etc. and instead take a breath, trust and move forward.

Last week, life through me a curve ball and I promised myself I would take one day at a time. I practiced yoga (with Baron Baptiste) with my 80 year old father practically on my mat watching me (also - I look behind me and he's attempting to do airplane pose, thankfully using two chairs!) and had a wonderful walking meditation around a lake. I felt energized and calm and it helped me through a difficult week.

All we can do is breathe, be present and trust God. This is my mantra for 2011!

Submitted by 21 Day Yoga Challenger, Alice MacWha