yoga journal no. 1

I used to worry so much about whether I was doing each pose perfectly. And I felt like I always had to do the most challenging progression. But lately, I'm feeling quite mature & wise. It might be this getting married business. Or maybe, it's actually all those years of hearing listen to your body and practice without ambition finally sinking in. I've been able to start every practice with the thought: what does my body need today? Some days I want to sweat. Some days I just want to breath + have some quiet. And everyday, I'm getting more in touch with my body.

my ever-evolving philosophy no. 3

Sometimes I forget I can take care of myself first without being selfish. I can wake up early to go for a run, maybe take a shower and do my hair before I do the dishes. That pile of laundry and other non-urgents can wait 'til after I eat something. Those emails will still be there after Savasana. Husband, job, whatever it is; No one is being neglected & I feel good because I’m taking care of myself. Everything will get done & I’m a happier and more efficient me.

hello motivation

My scheme to de-funk this weekend was just what I needed. I’m back and ready for action. But I’ve found I get into a little pattern which I need to break. I seem I get into ultra-motivated-mode & it’s really easy to make good choices. But then, as soon as I reach my goal, something switches in my brain & I go into vacation-mode. And while I enjoy indulging [hello! yes], I don't like indulging all the time. I don't like how I feel. And it's not fun or indulgent for me unless it's a special event or fun experience.

So I’ve decided I want to start each week with a little goal to keep me excited. Each week it will vary depending on what I need. The main purpose is to keep me from slipping into vacation-mode... which leads to schlumpy-mode. And hopefully, you can share your goals and we can all avoid schumpy-ness together.

sometimes I just have to laugh at myself

Along with keeping my girlish figure, I just hope I can keep a sense of humor & a light heart as I age and life comes & goes.

live longer

Long happy life? I'll take it. Beyond diet & exercise. Go. MSN.

living better: losing the shoulds

It’s the one word that can make me feel bad about myself in every area in my life. It’s the one word that can make me worry about things I don’t really care about. And it’s the one word that can make me lose my vision of what I really want. “I should be skinnier” “I shouldn’t enjoy food as much as I do”  “I should be X, Y, & Z”. 

It's not about never doing anything hard or never reaching goals. It's about where you're motivation comes from. Having this type of external focus too easily leads us to spend our daily lives doing things based on what we think we “should” do rather than what we “want”, “need” or mindfully decide to do. -More.

I’m losing my I shoulds and replacing them with I wants. I want to be fit & healthy. I want to enjoy life. I want to stop comparing myself to others & their metabolisms. I want to do things that make me happy. Read more about shoulds here.