In yoga practice, we begin to focus on learning poses, then realizing that there is more we have not explored about ourselves: body, our mind, our spirit, than we realized. Each day my practice is to direct my mind to what I can do, what I want to create, rather than my fears. This is not easy today. Today I wake up and know that there are many obligations I have. There are bills to pay, a business to grow, and my studio has been too quiet the past few months. I have woken up like this almost everyday for the past 4 years. Every day I shift my attention to what I can create to make a difference in the lives of those I meet.
If you are reading this, you are someone who cares about these things too. So lets focus on this together. What kind of life do you want? What kind of world do you want to live in? I find that when I talk with people about this, whoever is present gets excited about new possibilities. So today, start a conversation with someone. Tell them your dreams. Your dreams will remain dormant unless you share them.
My dream is to see a thriving yoga business in my studio, to see many people coming in and out, sharing their joy in their yoga practice. These people go home and their joy spreads to their families. These families go out into their own lives and activities and the joy is then exponentially spread! Get excited about your dreams and talk about them. What a world we do live in! A world in which our perceptions are what creates our realities. If you want to get inspired, just look around you! There is a world of inspiration waiting for you to just look! Here is a video that inspired me yesterday: Biker
Have a beautiful day!
Showing posts with label yoga challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Get ready for the 40 day yoga challenge!
November 1st through December 10th, 2011. What would you want to get out of practicing yoga in a 40-day challenge? Peace of mind? Clear mind? Lose weight? Sleep better? Improve your digestion? Support? Send me a message and tell me what you would want or ask a question. email: karen4yogaprairie@gmail.com
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Yoga - Connecting Mind/Body
This journey of yoga is about connecting mind & body. The spirit directs this journey. The spirit or soul, wants what is best for you. The mind sometimes does, sometimes does not. How can we get the mind to cooperate? When you decide to practice yoga and you hear that a daily practice is good for you, that the body/mind needs a day of rest...what happens next?
I know what happens to me. I may stay up a little too late reading, or drink one too many cups of coffee, or watch a movie that I don't start until 9 pm, knowing I really could sleep in. No one is making me get up early to meditate. . . really. This is my mind hijacking me.
So how do you get going? How do you have a regular practice? You just do it. You get on your mat or sit and close your eyes and you practice. Everyday. Simple. It is the mind that complicates things.
But what about the mind/body connection? That is where it can get interesting and habitually addictive. After many years of practicing, paying attention to the feelings and sensations in my body in different poses, I can even feel the energy of the nervous system. Bringing attention to any thing... you can grow your sensory awareness. What if you practice doing this in the body? What is possible in your life too?
Where in your life would more awareness benefit you? How about in relationships with others? What if you knew exactly where you could direct your attention and energy to make the most difference in each moment? Is this possible? I think it is possible to strive towards that and that this is the journey worth taking.
I know what happens to me. I may stay up a little too late reading, or drink one too many cups of coffee, or watch a movie that I don't start until 9 pm, knowing I really could sleep in. No one is making me get up early to meditate. . . really. This is my mind hijacking me.
So how do you get going? How do you have a regular practice? You just do it. You get on your mat or sit and close your eyes and you practice. Everyday. Simple. It is the mind that complicates things.
But what about the mind/body connection? That is where it can get interesting and habitually addictive. After many years of practicing, paying attention to the feelings and sensations in my body in different poses, I can even feel the energy of the nervous system. Bringing attention to any thing... you can grow your sensory awareness. What if you practice doing this in the body? What is possible in your life too?
Where in your life would more awareness benefit you? How about in relationships with others? What if you knew exactly where you could direct your attention and energy to make the most difference in each moment? Is this possible? I think it is possible to strive towards that and that this is the journey worth taking.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Day 26 Practicing Yoga
I wrote on the other blog today - for the 40 Day yoga challenge, here's the link
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Day 19 of 40
Something has shifted today. I woke up to the sound of clapping. 3 claps. No one was in the room. Then Angus hollered from the kitchen "what did you say honey?". He too heard something - a voice. I knew then that today was going to be a very special day! I began with meditation and have been continuing my day with working on my new website, a break to clean the kitchen, then back to it. I wanted to share this joy and excitement with you as soon as possible! Today is a very special day - just watch for it - every moment something very special is going to show up for you today.
Namaste
Namaste
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 10 of 40 day challenge
So The toughest part of a 40-day challenge. The challenge, for me, is staying present to being in a challenge! I forget! Then I remember there is a group of people in this with me. The past few days my challenge has been to stay in this game I have created to play - my life.
There are days, yes even for a yoga teacher/studio owner, where I feel like just hiding at home in bed. I get overwhelmed by all of the many tasks that I am supposed to do. My mind gives me multiple lists, I imagine that I must be missing something and that the house of cards called my life will come tumbling down if I miss that one thing!
Then it passes. In the next moment, the next breath, I pay attention to NOW. Right now, nothing is wrong! There is no major disaster happening, the world is peaceful outside of my screened door, I can hear the birds singing! Beyond those birds, I hear the traffic on the highway. People driving to work or to vacation (it is Friday) and once again my mind tries to break free to think about all of the energy wasted, the noise, the pollution. Once again, I rein in the mind and re-direct the thoughts...People will never stop moving! It's so funny - we will keep traveling and keep seeking a way to do that and we all do care deeply about our planet.
Some of us just are not aware of that at the moment.
So do you see the mind-game? The mind will not stop thinking. The discipline of yoga is to keep reining it in, to keep bringing the attention back to the present moment. To gain control over the monkey mind. Which, by the way, is an impossible task. So I practice ignoring my thoughts, re-directing my thoughts, and laughing at my thoughts. It can be amusing you know - OH! There's THAT ONE AGAIN! Ha ha ha ha haaaaahhh!
Keep it up - the practice of yoga. Asana, pranayama, the yamas and niyamas, meditation, keep practicing.
There are days, yes even for a yoga teacher/studio owner, where I feel like just hiding at home in bed. I get overwhelmed by all of the many tasks that I am supposed to do. My mind gives me multiple lists, I imagine that I must be missing something and that the house of cards called my life will come tumbling down if I miss that one thing!
Then it passes. In the next moment, the next breath, I pay attention to NOW. Right now, nothing is wrong! There is no major disaster happening, the world is peaceful outside of my screened door, I can hear the birds singing! Beyond those birds, I hear the traffic on the highway. People driving to work or to vacation (it is Friday) and once again my mind tries to break free to think about all of the energy wasted, the noise, the pollution. Once again, I rein in the mind and re-direct the thoughts...People will never stop moving! It's so funny - we will keep traveling and keep seeking a way to do that and we all do care deeply about our planet.
Some of us just are not aware of that at the moment.
So do you see the mind-game? The mind will not stop thinking. The discipline of yoga is to keep reining it in, to keep bringing the attention back to the present moment. To gain control over the monkey mind. Which, by the way, is an impossible task. So I practice ignoring my thoughts, re-directing my thoughts, and laughing at my thoughts. It can be amusing you know - OH! There's THAT ONE AGAIN! Ha ha ha ha haaaaahhh!
Keep it up - the practice of yoga. Asana, pranayama, the yamas and niyamas, meditation, keep practicing.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Ahimsa
Non violence in thought, word and action. Read more on the 40 Day Yoga Challenge blog.
(see previous entry for link)
(see previous entry for link)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
40 day challenge day 1
If you are following the 40 day yoga challenge, please go to this blog: http://40dayyoga.blogspot.com/
and click on "follow" I will write on that one for these 40 days.
A little morsel for you:
The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
(now what if your mind-stuff wasn't constantly bothering you?)
and click on "follow" I will write on that one for these 40 days.
A little morsel for you:
The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.
(now what if your mind-stuff wasn't constantly bothering you?)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Preparation
As I prepare to paint a room and hallway today, I am thinking about preparation. I spend so much time in preparation.
I prepare to teach, I prepare for a guest speaker - sending out invitations, discussing the topic with him by email for months, talking to his daughter who will be taking care of him here...preparing my husband and home for their stay. . .
I am painting the room he will stay in - I am using the "company's coming" energy to give me the motivation to do all of this!
Back to preparation. . . my mind is a busy preparation machine. . . I prepare too much, I'm making myself wrong for preparing so well; doh, there it goes again, the busy mind making me wrong! Well, this is not fun.
The cat is fun. He was chasing the drop-cloth (plastic) I put down for painting. That was fun!
What would you like to do today to prepare for YOUR 40 day challenge? (it starts tomorrow!)
I prepare to teach, I prepare for a guest speaker - sending out invitations, discussing the topic with him by email for months, talking to his daughter who will be taking care of him here...preparing my husband and home for their stay. . .
I am painting the room he will stay in - I am using the "company's coming" energy to give me the motivation to do all of this!
Back to preparation. . . my mind is a busy preparation machine. . . I prepare too much, I'm making myself wrong for preparing so well; doh, there it goes again, the busy mind making me wrong! Well, this is not fun.
The cat is fun. He was chasing the drop-cloth (plastic) I put down for painting. That was fun!
What would you like to do today to prepare for YOUR 40 day challenge? (it starts tomorrow!)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Welcome to the 40-Day Yoga Challenge! (July 10-Aug 19, 2011)
If you are reading this, you have let me know you want to join the challenge. In joining the challenge you are participating by practicing yoga 4 to 6 days a week for a minimum of 60 minutes, with at least one day a 75 minutes of yoga practice. If you practice yoga 4 days, the other 2 days can be another form of exercise like walking or swimming.
Yoga practice includes: asana, pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and relaxation. If you are walking slowly and focus on your movement with the breath, this is also practicing yoga. If you are doing an intentional relaxation - focusing the mind on releasing your tension and breathing with ease, you are practicing yoga.
If you are eating mindfully, focusing on the texture, color, scent and flavor of each bite, you are practicing your yoga. (however, eating will not count towards the 6 days of exercise).
If you are in this challenge, please place a comment on this blog, stating your intention for the 40-day yoga challenge. What will you accomplish, have a breakthrough in - or transform? Tell us what future you see pulling you through this challenge.
If you have not yet declared yourself a participant and are reading this now, please sign up as a follower on this blog post and post your intention!
Yoga practice includes: asana, pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and relaxation. If you are walking slowly and focus on your movement with the breath, this is also practicing yoga. If you are doing an intentional relaxation - focusing the mind on releasing your tension and breathing with ease, you are practicing yoga.
If you are eating mindfully, focusing on the texture, color, scent and flavor of each bite, you are practicing your yoga. (however, eating will not count towards the 6 days of exercise).
If you are in this challenge, please place a comment on this blog, stating your intention for the 40-day yoga challenge. What will you accomplish, have a breakthrough in - or transform? Tell us what future you see pulling you through this challenge.
If you have not yet declared yourself a participant and are reading this now, please sign up as a follower on this blog post and post your intention!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Being a yoga teacher and the home practice
Being a yoga teacher gives me the added level of commitment to my practice that takes me deeper than I could have done without that. I am responsible and accountable for a yoga studio (I own the business) being open to our community. This is not a burden for me. It is a great honor that has been bestowed upon me.
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Practice every day
Many of the great teachers - the ones we can trace our lineage back to, have all said the same thing. Practice. The past week, I have appreciated my practice more than ever. My practice is a daily habit. Every morning. Meditate. If I cannot focus, take care of something for someone (service with love & devotion). Then practice my asanas. Observing my breath, my body, how I use my body, how I feel, my mind. Observing it all, at the same time keeping my body strong, alive & healthy.
The practice - when it is a habit - it supports you. How? Well, do you remember how you feel so much better afterward practicing yoga?
You know that when you are not in the habit of practicing...when you feel sad, sick, low energy, upset, busy - any number of human excuses - the last thing you want to do is go sit on a yoga mat or meditate.
If it is a habit - like brushing your teeth - you have to do it. You cannot not do it. No matter how I felt before my practice. I feel alot better after.
How to get into the habit? Read about the 40-day yoga challenge or 108 Sun Salutations in my blog...
Live with Beauty, Connection & Love. . .
Karen
The practice - when it is a habit - it supports you. How? Well, do you remember how you feel so much better afterward practicing yoga?
You know that when you are not in the habit of practicing...when you feel sad, sick, low energy, upset, busy - any number of human excuses - the last thing you want to do is go sit on a yoga mat or meditate.
If it is a habit - like brushing your teeth - you have to do it. You cannot not do it. No matter how I felt before my practice. I feel alot better after.
How to get into the habit? Read about the 40-day yoga challenge or 108 Sun Salutations in my blog...
Live with Beauty, Connection & Love. . .
Karen
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
108 Sun Salutations
Last night, the darkest night of the year, also of the last 360 some years (because of a lunar eclipse!), I hosted a 108 Sun Salutations event. What is it about this name that keeps people away? Okay, well, I think I understand. If you have never done 108 Sun salutations, you have nothing to compare it to, and you have no expectation of what you can get out of it.
In the beginning, there is comararaderie - you are there with friends who also love the yoga practice. Then you begin to move with the breath, it may seem odd at first, everyone doing that and no one talking. Then you begin to go deeper into concentration - on breath, body, moving efficiently. You may notice others around you, yet it almost seems like once more, you are alone.
Last night only one other person showed up to do this with me. Kim has been a student of mine for several years, she wants to teach yoga, she loves yoga, she has a great career and family and she doesn't live in Minnesota right now - she lives in California. So Kim - who now lives in California - is the only student who showed up to participate in the 108 during a Minnesota snow storm. How appropriate!
Back to the experience...we were moving together, completely breathing as one and counting together. About number 35 or 38, I realized I was starting to warm up and sweat, and the poses felt really great. I began to feel all the connections once again re-connected (I don't feel that daily since my biking accident). We kept going, we never stopped. At one point I got a side ache, and it is likely from that cup of coffee and christmas cookie I had an hour before we started.... Around number 90, I realized we were going to keep going with out stopping - I think the first time that has happened for me. It was easy! I had to move a little more mindfully and slowly from 90 to 108 because my right elbow was hurting a bit - my right side is weaker since my accident (concussion on left side of brain). All in all - it felt really great to loosen up my body that much and to sweat - a rare thing these days with near zero temperatures outside!
Thank you Kim ! Next 108 will be on March 21, 2011 at Yoga Prairie, my wish/dream is that the studio will be packed for this event! (6:30 p.m. on a Monday night!)
In the beginning, there is comararaderie - you are there with friends who also love the yoga practice. Then you begin to move with the breath, it may seem odd at first, everyone doing that and no one talking. Then you begin to go deeper into concentration - on breath, body, moving efficiently. You may notice others around you, yet it almost seems like once more, you are alone.
Last night only one other person showed up to do this with me. Kim has been a student of mine for several years, she wants to teach yoga, she loves yoga, she has a great career and family and she doesn't live in Minnesota right now - she lives in California. So Kim - who now lives in California - is the only student who showed up to participate in the 108 during a Minnesota snow storm. How appropriate!
Back to the experience...we were moving together, completely breathing as one and counting together. About number 35 or 38, I realized I was starting to warm up and sweat, and the poses felt really great. I began to feel all the connections once again re-connected (I don't feel that daily since my biking accident). We kept going, we never stopped. At one point I got a side ache, and it is likely from that cup of coffee and christmas cookie I had an hour before we started.... Around number 90, I realized we were going to keep going with out stopping - I think the first time that has happened for me. It was easy! I had to move a little more mindfully and slowly from 90 to 108 because my right elbow was hurting a bit - my right side is weaker since my accident (concussion on left side of brain). All in all - it felt really great to loosen up my body that much and to sweat - a rare thing these days with near zero temperatures outside!
Thank you Kim ! Next 108 will be on March 21, 2011 at Yoga Prairie, my wish/dream is that the studio will be packed for this event! (6:30 p.m. on a Monday night!)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
40-Day Yoga Challenge is coming into final weeks
This has been a challenging time to do 40 days of yoga. With the darkest part of winter also come dark days in the way that you will be challenged to stay positive in your outlook. It may be really tough now to step onto your mat to practice. Know that all of us who are participating in this challenge are experiencing this. Know that the darker days will be moving towards lightness once again in just one more week. Hold on - you can do this. Step onto your mat with the intention to move - just move your body with the breath. Move into a pose and stay there until your body intuitively tells you to move again into another pose. Give yourself time to pause in between poses in Tadasana (mountain pose) or Sukhasana (easy pose-also known as the seated cross-legged pose). When you move intentionally with your breathing and when you hold a pose with your focus on your breath, you are practicing yoga.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
1st week is complete!
We are ending the 7th day of the 40 day yoga challenge! It was so exciting to see the challengees showing up for more classes at the studio this week! Today I took a day off of yoga! I am really surprised with myself. It is yoga teacher training weekend at the studio and I expected I might be doing poses along with students today, but I sat out even the fun YogaKids demo class that Rebecca did for the teacher trainees. (It was so tempting to do the kids poses because it look like fun!) I did however, growl like a lion, and do a couple of restorative poses - that counts as rest! Only 33 days to go!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Aimee. . .
My mission is simply to feel better in body, mind, and spirit. For my first asana practice I focused on balance poses because restoring balance is what I need: in body to feel energetic but not frenetic during the day, calm and at ease at night; in mind to feel focused, less scattered, present, and even; in spirit to feel more connected to my Divine Source and therefore more connected to my Self and everyone around me. Every day I will end my practice with this mantra: May my heart be filled with Divine Love. May I be an expression of Divine Love. Aimee J
Mona - welcome to the Challenge!
Mona said...
I'm in! virtually since I live in MO. Karen, you've inspired me
(Okay, Mona, that is a good excuse - you live in Missouri!) Yippy!
I'm in! virtually since I live in MO. Karen, you've inspired me
(Okay, Mona, that is a good excuse - you live in Missouri!) Yippy!
Friday, November 12, 2010
40 Day Yoga Challenge! Nov. 14-Dec. 24th 2010
Oh no!!not again! Yes! You cannot fail - you have support through the most tempting holiday! If you want to join our 40-day yoga challenge, respond here and let me know you are in! What: Promise to practice yoga 6 days a week for 40 days. How much yoga? 45 to 90 minutes 3 days a week (preferably at a Yoga Prairie studio class - 8783 Columbine Rd., Eden Prairie, MN 55344) and 3 days a week at home a minimum of 20-30 minutes and one day of rest (yes you must rest!).
Support can be found right here, check in with me daily or every couple of days - we can do this! Why?
Here are the possible benefits: relax, peace of mind, lose weight, better digestion, better sleep, better sex, be happier, be healther. . . did I miss anything?!
Support can be found right here, check in with me daily or every couple of days - we can do this! Why?
Here are the possible benefits: relax, peace of mind, lose weight, better digestion, better sleep, better sex, be happier, be healther. . . did I miss anything?!
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