Vote! Vote! Vote! Like a Baby Goat!

This week is the final stretch of the Yoga Journal Reader's Choice Talent Search, so I'd like to finish strong. Post it on facebook, tweet it, send a letter to your best good friend - just remind everyone to vote for me every day this week at the following link:

http://talentsearch.yogajournal.com/view/1891

Simply choose 5 red stars and click "Rate" to submit your vote.

You can vote daily through this Friday ---> April 15th, 2011

As soon as it wakes up this baby goat is going to Vote for Me.

Voting for me doesn't stop you from voting for others, so be generous with your votes.

(Start with me though, in case your voting finger gets tired.)

Photo Source: I snagged this adorable tired goat pic from Guerito's Flickr Stream.

Addicted to Yoga

So yesterday I rambled a bit about dedication and consistency. That was the point anyway, I'm not 100% certain that I actually made it. Anyway, today I wanted to cover the other side of that.

Here's a Dog with a Mohawk.

Being dedicated to your practice every single day is awesome... it will treat you well. You'll make progress, you'll be more mentally sound, and everyone will think you glow all the time with sugary bliss. However, if you constantly eschew recreation, being sociable, and trying new things - in favor of your practice - you may be missing the point. These are signs of addiction and being rigid. I don't know anyone that took up yoga to become more rigid and a party pooper.

and Here's a picture of Me not doing Yoga.

Having a plan is great - but if you can't re-schedule every once in a while for some spontaneity you're going to miss out on living your life. Go celebrate birthdays! Travel the world a little bit! Run outside in the middle of your practice to see that flying pig! Being dedicated to your practice means learning the flexibility to turn your world upside down and still get in a couple headstands before the sun goes down.

That's What It's All About

Sometimes I get a little frustrated (as we all do) when my practice isn't really going anywhere. I'm practicing some of the same old stuff over and over, wearing the same yoga clothes, facing my mat in the same direction, practicing at the same time of day... when's the last time I really did anything new? Sometimes I feel like I need to shake things up, but usually it's just a matter of sticking out the doldrums.

Nothing to see here.

Last week I turned my mat. It usually faces my inspiration board, but I just got kinda sick of it, so I turned it and now I'm looking at a front window. Does this bring new intention to my practice? Not really, but it changes the perspective just a little. Maybe it helps me stay more in tune with my hamstrings instead of the bright colors on the wall. I don't know, I try not to overthink these things. It's entirely possible that none of this matters. What really matters is that I'm still practicing.

Yep, Still Nothing.

At the Noah Maze Workshop last month he said that in "Light on Life", Iyengar says he went through a 10 year period where he had absolutely no discernable progress whatsoever. 10 years! That's a long long time to see no effect at all, but he remained dedicated and he continued to practice every single day... and eventually something shifted. That's what yoga is all about.

My Big Fat Pet Peeve

I have a lot of little things that bother me when people come over to my house. It doesn't happen often, so I get used to things being my way. Usually it's just little things I don't bother bringing up because they're unimportant, but you know what REALLY bugs me - my mega-huge "in my house" pet peeve? People stepping on my yoga mat with their shoes. Let me elaborate...

My mat is kind of a permanent fixture in my living room floor. There are currently two giant mats in the floor with a big gap in between them that leaves a nice walking path through the room. Since it's generally just me, the husband, and the dog - we can leave our mats out and not really care. Everyone knows not to walk on the $100 mats with shoes. Bare feet? Fine. Socked feet? Fine. Shoes? No. Mud? No. Mud and grass and unidentifiable ickem?? NO!!

My mat got walked on yesterday by a visitor who stopped by unexpectedly (otherwise I would've moved the mats). He's been here before; and he knows better. He walked all over it, like it was made exactly for walking muddy shoes on. I actually yelled at him - and called him names. *sigh* Not my finest moment.

I wish I had handled it better, but to be totally honest - I just wish people would keep their shoes off my mat.

Photo Source: The Internet?? dunno. Well - That 70's Show, really.

Walk the Plank: Core Strength without Crunches

One of the first classes I ever subbed for was actually a Pilates class. All the pilates teachers were out getting re-certified for something. I was psyched about subbing, and we just marketed it as a Yoga for Core Strength class. My boss said: Just focus on core work and make it really hard. I did just that and the Pilates girls left happy. They said they had no idea yoga could be so hard, and I had just sold a few of them on trying other yoga classes. Yay!

Recently I was asked to suggest some yoga work that will strengthen your core. Having a strong core can be super helpful in yoga; whether you're going from downdog into a lunge or working on headstands. I don't even believe in doing crunches or sit-ups. They're awful and they can wreck your back. These poses are all accessible to beginners though some may be tougher than others. Add a few into your regular work, or string them all together into one butt-kicking workout. Most of them take more than just muscle. They take focus. Keep your gaze fixed on one general spot and keep your breath slow and deep.

Plank, boat to half boat and back (many times), side plank (vasisthasana) and its variations... crow pose or any arm balance, upward table and upward plank, dancer, chaturanga, warrior 3, camel, dolphin pose...

Variations on plank poses work your entire core and they do it quickly and well (without tightening your psoas and your hip flexors). You can do it with one hand, or one foot, or with one hand & the opposite foot lifted, or on your forearms with weight on your back.

If regular plank is too hard then taking one arm forward and one leg back while on hands and knees can be a great little balance exercise if you focus on lifting in the middle. Once you're used to that, you can add on the snazzy little additions pictured below. I like to hold each piece for around 5 breaths.

In general, this sequence is for anyone, but please don't try this sequence without speaking to your Dr. first if you have any medical/physical problems. Seek Peace At Your Own Risk!

Anything You Lose

"Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent. Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form." - Rumi

I ♥ We Love Colors

Show some love to We Love Colors - whose fantastic fuchsia leggings I'm wearing here. They've put up a post on their We Love Colors Friends Blog about my YJ Talent Search submission with a bonus pigeon pose pic outside in the sun!