You have probably noticed
the days are growing shorter and colder. You've been sitting at the kitchen
table helping your kids with homework, when you look up and its pitch black
outside. You then start salivating for your PJ’s, and favorite TV shows, only
to realize it is only 5:30p. Dinner has yet to be made. You suddenly realize Thanksgiving
has passed and it is time to hit the mall to ensure you get a jump-start on
Christmas. Mild panic sets in!
Yes Virginia, we have left
the chillax vibe of summer in the rear view mirror and are merging onto CRAZY
Street! Why does this always happen?
The shorter days, pending holidays and pull of materialism —
all these factors can create the perfect storm of stress and moodiness. None of
which is not good for us yogis. That's why, now more than ever;
you must make your yoga practice a priority. Hitting the mat regularly keeps us
all healthy and sane during this season of Joy and Chaos. Trust me!
To this end, I've been
focusing on fun, funky moves in class lately in order to hit body parts we
don't use every day. Processing our "Grinchy," irritable mind/body areas
not only strengthens us physically, emotionally and spiritually, but is also a
wonderful anti-aging elixir. A hot topic for me lately with yet another birthday
under my belt!
How so? Well – moving the
body in an assortment of ways and especially trying out new yoga poses,
strengthens the mind. We are essentially
learning and stimulating new neural pathways in the brain. When we are busy doing practicing yoga, the
mind is not able to hang out in its normal “doom-gloom” holiday habit. We are taking time that is usually
comfortably allocated to be stress and crazy, and using it to strengthen
ourselves during a challenging time of the year. There is something to be said
for taking care of ourselves during this stress-zone of the holidays instead of
giving away all of our precious energy to other people, places and things.
Yeah
– and this is where the spirituality of our yoga comes into play. The more we care take of our own needs, the
happier and healthier we are, and when we are happy and healthy, we have the
bandwidth to be genuinely kind and generous with others. Spirituality comes
into play when we are not battling our demons, and can be more present to our
daily life. Stress gets in the way –
luckily Yoga Helps!
It's my goal to help you
stay grounded, in touch with your spiritual side, breathe deeply and become Zen
when there are no more parking spots left at the mall!
Together we will make it
through the holidays with mudra ("scared hand gestures"), cleansing
breath of fire (“kapalabhati breath”), calming meditations (“dhyana”) and mind-body
enhancing yoga sequences (“vinyasa yoga”).
I have more in my bag of
tricks than Santa has in his sack!
See you on the mat!
Much love to you and yours during this holiday season.
Cindy Walker, B.A. E/RTY
