Move it Monday: The Holidays.
Davina
10 Comments
holiday stress.
While the holiday season can easily be the most joyful and festive time of the year, it can also be an especially stressful time for many of us. We can get caught up in the pressure to buy the perfect gift, the stress of preparing for out of town guests and the hustle and bustle of getting it all done.
When you feel overwhelmed take a moment to stop and take a deep breath. Reflect on this quote:
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. “
Yoga and yoga breathing can help you achieve that calmness. Sit down in a cross-legged, or lotus, position. Make your spine nice and tall, suck your belly button into your spine, close your eyes and take several deep breaths in through your nose, exhaling out with a sigh. Do this five times. Then sit quietly for a few breaths. Let your eyes flutter open and notice how you feel more relaxed.
It might surprise you, but if you take the time to take care of yourself this holiday season, to get centered and to move your body and get oxygenated blood running through your veins to your brain, you will find that time expands. You will have more energy to get your tasks done.
Taking some time out this holiday season to give back to yourself may be the best gift for yourself and your loved ones. Because when you fill up your own well, you can give freely to those you love. It's not about being selfish, it's about being centered and calm, and at peace.
Lisa Brownstead is a former TV news anchor who believes in the transformational power of yoga and helping young and old alike find more balance, self esteem and joy in their lives through yoga. She also believes that yoga (and a little bit of humor) leads to a significant decrease in stress and keeps those practicing looking and feeling young! As a mom of three kids who love yoga, Lisa has followed her passion teaching yoga to both kids and adults. Lisa is the founder of Pretty Postures. For more information on private in-home instruction, classes, and yoga parties check out www.prettypostures.com.
holiday. LIFE.
Reader Comments (10)
Beautiful! Well said. Yoga is such a blessing in my life. Tuesday is yoga day!
Well, our life has had a big change: a 13-month old boxer mix. Which means daily walks. We did a solid 30 minutes this morning. Now I have an "accountability partner" ... or probably better put: an "accountability demander."
I got an updated info sheet from the local YMCA. I tend to be an "in the rut" person .... so I decided I'd try a new class. The ones I really want to go to don't really work for our schedule, so I figured the times that would work and found a class that sounded interesting. Today I'm going to try "body sculpting" .... with bands/resistance stuff. We'll see! :)
HAVE MERCY!!!!!
It's a good thing I didn't know what I was getting into with that body sculpting class. It kicked my booty! I feel even more now the need to streeeetch!
A little aside: I met another small biz owner and did a little networking. Who said you can't mix business with working out? :)
so I've finally "recovered" from my body sculpting class. Could barely walk down stairs for a few days.
Doggie is happy because now I can take her on walks again. (hubby takes her on SHORT walks ... I think she likes the longer ones better). today we logged about 2 miles. :)
I got back on the horse!!! Well, the body sculpting class, that is. I didn't push to do exactly what everyone else was doing today, though. I was trying to listen to my body and respect its limits. I think I did a fairly good job. But I guess we'll see tomorrow! ;)
I'M STILL ALIVE AND I CAN WALK!!!! :)
This dog is good for getting out and taking at least 30 minutes of a walk per day. On the good days, it's an hour. :)
Davina, I looked back on my weight at mydailyplate.com ... and know what girl? Since starting this move it monday, I'm down a little more than 15 lbs!!!! What a journey it's been. :)
Where, oh where, ARE my move it monday buddies????
I've been getting solid walks daily since mid-december. And been doing some of the toning classes at the gym ... pretty good :)