Today is the day I felt like a bonafide teacher at last. The students were sharing, laughing, and truly healing on a deep level. Nearly everyone in my healing class today shared a piece of themselves with someone else in that room, and it was tremendously moving and for me, personally healing. Nothing helps me move forward on my own journey more than knowing I am making a difference in other people's lives. The cancer, lung disease, hysterectomy, and pulmonary hypertension are all badges of honor for me because they have taught me not only how to survive and get stronger, but how to find a path towards helping others. I feel so very blessed to be in the place I am today. Thank you to everyone who knows me and has supported me and to those of you visiting for the first time. You are all a part of the healing.
Namaste,
Jan
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sorrow in Australia
A picture says it all....
http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/09/1234027920316.html
If you feel that you can help at all with either your condolences (click here) or with a few dollars please click here:
I'm just so thankful for the great strength and resilience of the Aussie spirit. It will take some time to heal and rebuild but there is no doubt that our friends and family down under will prevail.
With love,
Jan
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Confession to make....
Okay, I know I'm supposed to be all zen and above this, but I have a dark confession to make. I'm jealous of every other blogger out there. Seriously. Everyone else in blogland is wittier, cooler, and just plain more interesting than me. I have blog-envy and I seriously don't think my health insurance plan will cover the treatment for it. Okay, I said it and now I feel much better. Here are just SOME of the bloggers I'm jealous of:
http://revolutionbybrandy.blogspot.com/
http://wellokaysassybritches.blogspot.com/
http://hillbillywoman.blogspot.com/
http://ammdh.blogspot.com/2009/02/ced-words.html
So you get my point. Maybe I can start a 12 step program for blogger-envy and then blog about that.... Nah!
Hope your Sunday is splendiferous,
Jan
http://revolutionbybrandy.blogspot.com/
http://wellokaysassybritches.blogspot.com/
http://hillbillywoman.blogspot.com/
http://ammdh.blogspot.com/2009/02/ced-words.html
So you get my point. Maybe I can start a 12 step program for blogger-envy and then blog about that.... Nah!
Hope your Sunday is splendiferous,
Jan
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Some yoga for your day:
Thought for a change I might actually make this blog revolve around that thing I do... yoga. So, I invite you to make yourself comfortable and take this moment for yourself.
Click here for audio recording of this breathing meditation:
Begin by observing your breath as it travels easily up and then down your body. Let go of striving or attempting to manipulate your breath in any way. Simply begin developing awareness in this moment. There are three parts of the body you may choose to observe in order to begin developing your sensory and meditative focus. You can place your attention on the slight air-exchange beneath your nostrils as you breathe in and out. Alternately, you can rest awareness on the gentle rise and fall of your chest. And finally you could choose to place your hands on your lower abdomen and observe as it gently expands and contracts with each full breath. No matter which part of the body you choose to observe, give it your full and undivided attention for the next 5 - 10 full breaths.
Can you feel the energy shifting within you upon the inhale, and the tension releasing on the exhale? Can you allow the muscles of your face to soften and then soften even a little more with the next full breath? Allow the softness in your face to spread calm stillness into and throughout your entire body.
If your mind becomes restless, simply observe this and then let go of judging your thoughts or focus. Simply notice the thought activity and then move gently back to following the journey of the breath.
Can you allow your shoulders to become a little heavy but soft and receptive? Perhaps your head can slowly and gently begin circling around on your neck first in one direction for several breaths and then slowly and deliberately back in the other direction. Continue noticing the quality and depth of your breath...
Bringing your head back to stillness, close your eyes and continue your quiet observation for another 5 - 10 full deep breaths.
Take as long as you need, and when you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes and gently transition back into this moment with renewed energy and resolve.
Click here for audio recording of this breathing meditation:
Click here for audio recording of this breathing meditation:
Begin by observing your breath as it travels easily up and then down your body. Let go of striving or attempting to manipulate your breath in any way. Simply begin developing awareness in this moment. There are three parts of the body you may choose to observe in order to begin developing your sensory and meditative focus. You can place your attention on the slight air-exchange beneath your nostrils as you breathe in and out. Alternately, you can rest awareness on the gentle rise and fall of your chest. And finally you could choose to place your hands on your lower abdomen and observe as it gently expands and contracts with each full breath. No matter which part of the body you choose to observe, give it your full and undivided attention for the next 5 - 10 full breaths.
Can you feel the energy shifting within you upon the inhale, and the tension releasing on the exhale? Can you allow the muscles of your face to soften and then soften even a little more with the next full breath? Allow the softness in your face to spread calm stillness into and throughout your entire body.
If your mind becomes restless, simply observe this and then let go of judging your thoughts or focus. Simply notice the thought activity and then move gently back to following the journey of the breath.
Can you allow your shoulders to become a little heavy but soft and receptive? Perhaps your head can slowly and gently begin circling around on your neck first in one direction for several breaths and then slowly and deliberately back in the other direction. Continue noticing the quality and depth of your breath...
Bringing your head back to stillness, close your eyes and continue your quiet observation for another 5 - 10 full deep breaths.
Take as long as you need, and when you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes and gently transition back into this moment with renewed energy and resolve.
Click here for audio recording of this breathing meditation:
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Back in the saddle...
Okay, I'm not back in the saddle but at least I'm back on my feet. I've recovered from the fall on the world's smallest patch of ice last Friday and will hopefully be perfectly capable of teaching my two yoga classes tomorrow night. I'll move through some gentle yoga today and see how it feels. Thanks to everyone who commented and asked how I was feeling. It certainly helps to have the kind wishes.
I've just finished doing my daily homework for the mindfulness class and I have to say it is either getting easier or I am actually sleeping through the whole body scan but dreaming so vividly about it that I don't know I'm missing it. In any case, the whole thing is better and my attitude is CERTAINLY better now. When I fell on the ice my back started throbbing almost immediately and I began having those thoughts that you have when you get worried that you've really hurt yourself badly. Things like, "How will I be able to teach my classes?" or "How could I have been so stupid to wear these slippery shoes?". Mental pain on top of physical pain. The moment I heard myself, I stopped the inner diatribe and just began to focus on my breath. Magically the pain in my back lessened and became manageable. See, this stuff really works! So at least I finally have something cool to share in class next Thursday.
Well, that's my weekend. We're off to wash clothes again at my parents condo because I still haven't bought a washing machine. Procrastination thy name is Jan.
Either that or my name is La Cheapskate... I'm not sure which.
Anyway, please take care and have a beautiful day wherever you are,
Jan
I've just finished doing my daily homework for the mindfulness class and I have to say it is either getting easier or I am actually sleeping through the whole body scan but dreaming so vividly about it that I don't know I'm missing it. In any case, the whole thing is better and my attitude is CERTAINLY better now. When I fell on the ice my back started throbbing almost immediately and I began having those thoughts that you have when you get worried that you've really hurt yourself badly. Things like, "How will I be able to teach my classes?" or "How could I have been so stupid to wear these slippery shoes?". Mental pain on top of physical pain. The moment I heard myself, I stopped the inner diatribe and just began to focus on my breath. Magically the pain in my back lessened and became manageable. See, this stuff really works! So at least I finally have something cool to share in class next Thursday.
Well, that's my weekend. We're off to wash clothes again at my parents condo because I still haven't bought a washing machine. Procrastination thy name is Jan.
Either that or my name is La Cheapskate... I'm not sure which.
Anyway, please take care and have a beautiful day wherever you are,
Jan
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