The Daily Downward Dog (D.D.D.) – April 2010 Archive
April was a great month in my yoga journey as I entered into the Zero Stress Zone! Starting April 28, the D.D.D. changed formats and will now show up as a daily posting, so be sure to stop by for your daily dose of inspiration.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
–Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.
Monday, April 26, 2010
On Saturday I had an incredible experience–I entered the zero stress zone!!! The workshop I attended on Yoga Nidra was amazing and I learned so much that I can apply on the mat during yoga practice, and off the mat in everything I do. I plan to share my experience here on MariaMedia this week. Much thanks to Bhumi Yoga for hosting this event and to Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Armit Desai) for sharing his wisdom.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Instead of shrinking in size as I age, I have actually grown! I’m not kidding. I went to the doctor for my annual check up this week and I grew about one-half inch. All those spinal stretches really did the trick. Yet another benefit from the practice of Yoga.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I’m starting to get really excited about the event I’m going to attend this weekend. I’m going to learn about Yoga Nidra and how to utilize it to enter the zero stress zone. I’m also thrilled that I will be taught by an internationally recognized authority on yoga and holistic living, Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Armit Desai).
What an incredible opportunity, and it’s right here in Northeast, Ohio! Wish me well on this new journey, and I’ll be sure to share my learnings here on the D.D.D.
April 23-25, 2010
From Self Image to Self Discovery through the Zero Stress Yoga Nidra Zone
Location: Olympian Community Center at Athenian Village, Cleveland, OH
Register: www.bhumiyoga.com or call Bhumi at 440-236-6366
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
For me, yoga is not just a workout – it’s about working on yourself.
–Mary Glover
This quote is so true! Since I’ve started yoga I have learned so many things about myself, my body, and how to love others. The real challenge is how to take the peace and learning from the mat and apply it off the mat.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The D.D.D. today is courtesy of Elizabeth Clay, a wonderful yoga instructor at LifeSource Yoga.
“If you’ve ever thought about being a yoga instructor, it’s totally worth it because you get to say stuff like ‘Sup-Ta Bad-dha Ko-Na-Sana’. It’s totally worth it!”
This was delivered in Elizabeth’s enthusiastic voice as the class took the Supta Baddha Konasana pose and I couldn’t help laughing as she slowly enunciated each syllable of the word. Pronunciation: (SOOP-tah BAW-dah cone-NAWS-ahna). It really is fun to say! Thanks Elizabeth for making yoga so much fun, you never fail to make me smile or laugh in every class I take.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Listening to the sound of waves while doing yoga or meditating is the best musical background I know. The sound of waves just instantly calms me and I feel at peace. I was lucky to have this experience over the weekend. If you live in Northeast Ohio, you would be amazed at how beautiful the surf and the sound of the waves from Lake Erie can be. If you don’t live near water – try buying a CD that has the sound of waves. The link below is for a CD I recommend – it provides over an hour of beautiful, relaxing wave music. It’s also great to put on right before you go to bed.
Healing Sounds Of Nature: Ocean Waves
Friday, April 16, 2010
“Yoga is almost like music in a way; there’s no end to it.”
–Sting
Had to put this quote up as it covers three of my favorite things in life – yoga, music and Sting!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Well the response to my question yesterday was overwhelming! I’m still sorting through all of them 😉 but my favorite by far was from @jilianrayne on Twitter. Her yoga instructor told her to smile and she says that it works for her! I know that smiling has really helped me when I’m in a difficult pose, so I will give it a try today not only at yoga, but in everything I do. Thanks Jilian!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Had a great yoga class last night, but really had a hard time turning my brain off and focusing on the practice. Does this ever happen to you? I try to focus on my breathing, and depending on the pose it helps to close my eyes. If you have a suggestion on how to turn off the chatter in your head during yoga class or a method that works for you, please send me a note through the Contact Pageor twitter me @mariamedianet. I’ll share the comments in a future D.D.D.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
“A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.”
–Terri Guillemets
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saw the best marketing tagline EVER this weekend….”Enter the Zero Stress Zone”
It was on an ad for Amrit Yoga. I think this needs a full blog dedicated to it, because the zero stress zone is a place I want to visit!
Friday, April 9, 2010
It’s turning into music appreciation week here at the D.D.D. Yesterday in the middle of yoga class, a song came on that sounded like standard eastern yoga fare and then all of a sudden some guy breaks out in rap! I’d never done yoga to rap before and I have to tell you it is really fun. The artist I heard is MC Yogi and he has created a unique blend of yoga inspired world hip hop music. If your curious, check out his website or itunes and listen to Ganesh is Fresh and Rock on Hanuman! My yoga instructor recommended his album Elephant Power
Thursday, April 8, 2010
I love all the different music I hear during yoga class and recently came upon the music of Wade Imre Morissette (twin brother to Alanis – I guess talent runs deep in that family). Wade is someone that has taken both of his passions – teaching yoga and music, and united them to make beautiful music that really compliments a yoga practice. You can check out his music and learn about Bliss Dance at www.wadeimremorissette.com. I have got to try Bliss Dance!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Heard this at my yoga class last night. We go to yoga to get flexible, not because we already are flexible.
I love all those little affirmations I receive during class.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Want to try a very simple form of yoga today? Try closing your eyes and breathing in and out slowly ten times in a row. Even though it’s just breathing…you are doing yoga!
Monday, April 5, 2010
I celebrated Easter dinner with my family at a Thai food restaurant. Yeah, I know that is pretty untraditional, but we wanted to eat out and didn’t have reservations or the patience to wait for a table. In case you haven’t noticed, sushi and curry dishes are not real popular on Easter Sunday, so the restaurant was not crowded. After a great meal, the fortune cookies arrived and they became our version of an Easter egg hunt, with the messages inside serving as surprise treats. I want to share my fortune cookie message, “Look ahead or you won’t get ahead.” This message really hit home, as I need to have that forward vision for MariaMedia and all of the work that I want to do in the coming year to accomplish my goals. It’s not going to happen overnight, but with a lot of hard work and a vision for the future, I can do it! Here’s what my husband’s fortune cookie said, and I couldn’t agree more, “Your family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”
Friday, April 2, 2010
Get what you came for! I love when the yoga instructor says that during class to motivate us to stretch a little farther or to get our heads away from the thoughts of the day and into concentrating on our breath and our practice. It always helps me to focus and remember why I’m there and to stop thinking about the errands I have to run after class. No matter what you do today or where you go, try applying this mantra – and get what you came for!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A new month and a new season to enjoy. Give yourself a gift today and spend some time doing yoga or meditate for a few minutes. Aaahhh…Life is Good!
