Lily

             One lone lily pad
       Floating
   Waiting
Hoping
         Tendrilled roots extending
Expecting
     Exhibiting
             Exciting
The possibilities
       "Come, sit, rest a while,"
    Accepting
Respecting

Catharsis

There's something to be said for purging. The ability to lay all your burdens down, the relief of getting things off your chest, or just being able to share, even the briefest of moments, with another human being.

I don't like to c9mplain. I try not to vent too much. I don't want my default to be negatively biased. But og, what a good let down can do for the soul.

I had the opportunity to retreat last weekend, and I really thought that would be enough. But this has been a strangely emotional week, unrelated to my natural biorhythms. And based on conversations with fellow travellers, I was not alone in this.

So being able to release all if this angst has been a seriously refreshing experience.  I got to do a little #angrydrunkpainting as well as being able to kibitz with several cohorts.

I'm looking forward to the lightness of my being when I wake up tomorrow. 

For now, I am going to sleep the slumber of the confessed.  If you feel burdened by your own emotional energy, consider taking a break from your life's drama and find a creative outlet of your choising, bring a friend or confidante and get to purging.

Peace, love, and applesauce

A Walk In The Woods

This past weekend, I had the privilege of presenting retreat style yoga for a group of women, including the mother of a good friend of mine, all in their Golden Years. The original plan included us meeting for yoga and meditation on Friday evening, Saturday midday, and again on Sunday midday with everyone sleeping in their own homes in between, I would stay with my friend's mother. This would give me the opportunity to wander around between meetings to get my own down time. 

Unfortunately, most of the ladies had life events that changed the plans. So, the few that were left still gathered for a class on Saturday, for some pranayama, some movement, some education, some meditation, and a lovely shared meal. I got to teach these ladies some great ways to improve their self care, increase their flexibility and strength, and some clean eating tips. We even shared some sweet dark chocolates made without processed sugar. (recipe at bottom of post)

During my down time, I stuck to my 10,000 step morning walks and got to wander around the beautiful countryside of Ionia County. The first day I walked without my headphones. I wanted to hear all the sounds of nature and be IN the country. The temperature dropped quite a bit from the day before so I ended up with a little inflammation in my outer ear canal. So the second day I brought a podcast to listen to, and just kept the volume low enough to still tune in to the world around me. 

During my adventures I spied wild turkeys, foxes, bunnies, racoons, turkey vultures, turtles, and chipmunks. The landscapes were incredible, the sunrises breathtaking. Being that far away from the city is so refreshingly quiet of city sounds, while still being a symphony of the sounds of life. If you haven't been out in nature for a while, studies show you could be suffering from "nature deficit disorder" one of the symptoms of living in our high tech world. 

Research indicates that being around trees, dirt, grass, and other parts of nature, can "enhance the health of individuals experiencing chronic mental, emotional and physical health difficulties" read more here

Make the time to go discover the wonderful healing properties of a good walk in the woods. Not near the woods? Go plant a small garden, or just go sit by a tree. Even a little bit can help a lot. 

ps: here's that chocolate recipe - I used special dark cocoa and OMG!

CLEAN EATING CHOCOLATE BARS

(Makes 12 servings)

INGREDIENTS:

·         3/4 cup pure coconut oil

·         1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/2 cup honey

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (optional)

·         1/8 teaspoon sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.    In a medium sized pot, combine all ingredients. Whisk well over low to medium heat until the chocolate is smooth. You want to get rid of as many of the clumps from the coconut oil as possible.

2.    Spread out over a parchment lined cookie sheet and chill in the fridge or freezer overnight.

3.    Cut and enjoy. (Store in the freezer, wrapped individually.)

Summer

When I was a kid I couldn't wait for summer vacation to start. Then, about 3 or 4 weeks into it, once I had finished the summer reading list, I couldn't wait to go back. 

Not much has changed since then. Whenever a holiday or vacation rolls around, I can't wait for the time off, but then I start pining to be back in the yoga room. 

This year will be no different. 

I am running out to Barryton, MI to do a stay-cation style retreat for a friend of mine, which means long walks in the woods. And then I have my teacher training weekend. And then in July, I'm subbing for too many teachers as they head out on vacations. Somewhere in there I need to nail down dates to take a kayak trip with my son, and hopefully a Cedar Pointe trip with, well, whomever I can talk into going with me. 

Hopefully I'll find some time to get tech free and unplug. 

Here is my intention for the summer:

I WILL unplug during my time off this summer.

I WILL get out and complete my 10,000 steps at least 4 times a week.

I WILL rest when I get the chance to rest/

I WILL enjoy the summer.

What intentions will you set for this summer?