Holidaze Series- DIY Arm or Leg Warmers

Too cold to practice?

The floor is freezing my toes off & you want me to remove my socks?!

Here's an awesome DIY tip for cold weather yoga
whether you're practicing asana, pranayama or meditation!
Think of it as a gift
for Yourself & Your Practice
this Holiday!

Step One-
Take a pair of warm socks you love that have holes in them.


Step Two-
Take a pair of scissors and
for leg warmers- cut out the toe part or
for arm warmers- cut out half of the toe part for
your four fingers then
make a small cut for your thumb.


Step Three-
You can be done here and
don your warm new yoga gear or
take a needle and thread and sew up the jagged ends
for a more streamlined & professional looking set.
Set Four- Practice without freezing!
The leg warmers can stay on &
even cover your heels during seated, lying or prone postures.
The arm warmers can be slipped off the hands for
more traction and slipped back on
when traction isn't needed.

I have some friends that even knit them- what a treat!
And if you're notso into the DIY bit-
most stores carry leg & arm warmers
especially around this time of year.

Rock Your Practice!
^o^

Holidaze Series- Add Yoga to Your Day

I was walking a friend's dog when I realized
that little pup had something yogic to teach me.
He stopped
and smelled
and rubbed
and pee-ed on
Everything.
It took us 10 minutes to walk around
the corner because
he had to take everything in.

In Your Yoga Practice-
over and over
you return your awareness to your breath-
in that moment.
Incorporate that into the rest of your day also.
What an opportunity to practice
breath awareness and
awareness of the moment.

Especially around the Holidaze...
and the frazzled, busy,
must get more done or I'll burst society we're in-

bringing your awareness to your breath
immediately
brings you into the moment.

Once aware that you're in it-
What do you smell?
What do you see?
What do you feel in and out?
What's your breath doing?
Focus on enjoying the moment
rather than racing to the next one.
Feel like pee-ing on that tree perhaps?!

Have fun with it.
There is no wrong.
Just become aware of your breath
as you do in your yoga practice,
make no judgment
and see what happens.

Any comments or questions-
Chime in!
Rock Your Practice!
Xo- Suz

Ps- For a beautiful meditation
to add to your Holidaze
check out the new post on
Yoga Empowered for Chronic Illness
and give it a try.

Holidaze Series- Pranayama- Alternate Nostril Technique

First of all-
the Beginning Breath Awareness Video
is a how-to on full torso breath
that most pranayama techniques
presented here will be using.
Know this- Practice this.

Alternate Nostril Technique
is a wonderful way to immediately yet simply
bring balance and calm to your system.
I introduce it to you as a helpful tool to use
throughout the Holiday season
but in truth it's something I use
many times a day
throughout the year
to help myself.

Never strain the breath.
Always honor your body.

Let me know what you think of this technique-
I have a feeling you'll be lovin it.
Have a Holly Jolly!
Rock Your Practice!
^o^
Suz

Holidaze Series- Start here.

When I first sat down to meditate,
I thought okay here we go-

All I have to do is sit here for X amount of time
and not go crazy
then
I'll be more calm & enlightened like.
I sat.

I kept myself from going crazy.
Sort of...
I followed the thoughts about dinner,
about conversations,
about random things that really made no sense but
since I was "meditating" I thought
all the thoughts that flooded my mind
sitting there day in and day out
was just me toughing it out.
Come to find out-
that's not meditation.

Meditation is not easy.
Meditation is simply a one pointed focus-
bringing that focus back to it's place
over and over
and over...
and over...
You can meditate on many things- your breath,
a candle flicker or
a quality you'd like to increase in your life
(joy, compassion, etc).
There's many types of meditation but
what you are doing is simply-
bringing your awareness to something-
every time your mind strays-
make no judgment &
come back to that place of awareness.
A constant tending to the mind &
bringing it back with loving kindness.
It's not easy.
Meditation is work.

For some the practice of sitting
and bringing your thoughts back
over and over is infuriating.
Honestly, sometimes it's been infuriating to me
but
I've noticed with time
(with a cumulative & consistent practice)
my reactivity has lessened,
my mind isn't so overwhelmed with thoughts,
especially negative thoughts,
and it's really not so infuriating anymore.
And not just when I meditate but
throughout the day
I notice these things in myself,
my surroundings
and even in my
relationships.
I've begun to look forward to
and even need
that meditation each day.

Start here.

Find a comfortable seated position
(it's hard to focus if you're not comfortable).
Try meditating on your breath.
Just bring your awareness to
watching your inhale & exhale.
When your mind wanders
(and it will- you're human)-
make no judgment,
bring your focus back
to your breath.
Repeat
repeat
repeat.

or Try.
Lighting a candle and
meditating on the flame
(this is my favorite).
Just look at the flame.
Watch it- study it-
when your mind wanders-
gently
(gently meaning make no judgment)
bring your awareness
back to the dancing flame.
Repeat
repeat
repeat.
Start with 5 minutes a day for a month-
then add 5 more if you want to...

What a purrfect time of year
to begin a meditation
practice or to
reignite a stymied one.
I, for one, am looking forward
to sauntering into 2010 with
this beloved tool.
Rock Your Practice!
^o^

Holidaze Series- Add Yoga to Your (Holi)Day

Especially around the Holidays
there's just too much going on.

Too much in the world, too much on my plate
or too much in my mind.
As human beings we are blessed with thought
and the ability to change that thought.

Remind yourself right now and over and over
(like in Your Yoga Practice by
bringing your awareness to your breath
over & over)
of the things you're grateful for in your life.

Especially on days or in moments
when you feel overwhelmed, negative or lost.
Write down the things you're grateful for.
Your smile.
Your skin covering your organs & bones.
Your eyes for seeing.
Your ears for hearing.
There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

It never ceases to amaze me-
how this simple trick can lift your spirits.

Change your perception- become grateful.
Then lift your heart (your rib cage) &
become aware of your breath.

Often this small
change in perception
will smooth & even your breath,
your mind & your heart.
Give it go.

Happy Holidays Yogis!

Rock Your Practice!
Xo- Suz