There's Something About the Water

Our boys (6'3" - 195 pound solid muscle, eating machines) are coming home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Being the good mother that I am, I head out to stock up on seafood for the pre-Thanksgiving Day eating fenzy that is soon to begin. I always enjoy going to the waterfront for seafood, even moreso on days like this with the top down on the convertible. It is an adventure compared to driving over to the grocery store. I smile as I enter my favorite seafood store and find the usual guys behind the counter anxious to help me with my selection. I like to pick out fresh fish, looking for clear eyes, not cloudy, as a friend raised by a fisherman always instructed me. I attempt to speak Spanish as I make my requests to have the fish fileted, and end up learning a few new words in the process. The workers are always polite and seem entertained with my speech, making me wonder if I said what I thought I was saying!

With my bags of iced down shrimp, snapper and salmon in hand, I head out the door. As I walk down the steps of the building I notice a patch of sandy beach thirty or so yards off to the right and cannot help but drive in that direction before heading to the highway. There is something about the water that always draws me to it. I find a newly constructed gazebo to hang out on and spend some time just watching the waves crash in as sailboats float out on the water in the distance. I am mesmerized for a while, then regretfully head toward the car. But, I am consoled by the fact that I invited my yoga class members to meet me for yoga in the park later in the day - and there is a lake (fake - but a lake!) there to enjoy.

I wish everyone could have come, but only a few were able to enjoy yoga in the park today, Not a cloud in the sky, not an ant hill to avoid, not a mess left behind on the grassy hill by a dog to accidentally roll onto during a sun salutation - just perfect everything from the people to the sunset. As we lay in savasana (on our backs in corpse pose) after a welcome workout, I turned my head to the side and opened my eyes to see the sun setting and the water on the man-made lake rippling from the gentle wind blowing through the trees. There's something about the water - isn't there?

(Won't you join us next time? Check the schedule at www.iyogaparty.com for the next Yoga in the Park)

The First Step is the Hardest

When they find out I am a yoga instructor, people usually respond with, "I really need to do yoga". They continue listing the things they used to be able to do and all of the things they can't do anymore. The reaction isn't limited to older individuals. I've heard the same responses from teenagers and twenty-somethings. I encourage them to join me at my next class, promise I will be nice to them and even give them a mat to use and some chocolate (a frequent give-away in my classes). It is always heartwarming to see them walk through the door that first time. Getting in the door or taking the first step is the hardest part of many ventures.

A new person walked into my cycling class this morning a few minutes late. I set him up on the bike and proceeded to lead the class through intense drills on flats and hills with entertaining and motivating music. I gave the new guy encouraging words throughout the session and told him that he had survived the hardest part - walking in the door. He hung in as long as he could and sheepishly slid off his bike after about 30 minutes, ready to call it quits. I told him that I only lasted 15 minutes the first time and I was very proud of him and that we all looked forward to him coming back the next week. He said he would. They always say they will as they internally shake their head from side to side! But I really think this one really will.

Sometimes the first step is the hardest to take - the first day of a diet, the first time we speak in public, the first time we create something and put it out there for reactions. The more steps we take, the easier it gets. Don't be afraid of that first step.

Scare Yourself Once a Day

I lightheartedly tease some of my yoga students in class when they make faces. Sometimes the faces are because they are struggling in a pose. I remind them to breathe through their nose and tell them if their mouth is open they are working too hard. Other faces are on the new people when I mention what we are going to do during the class (i.e. stand on our hands and let our legs float up into the air while twisting them into various positions). I calm their fears by letting them know we are going to try and see what happens and you just never know. I let them know every pose has many steps to it and they might only take the first step that day and not go any farther and that is ok - so RELAX! The response is entertaining but they appear ready to go. No one bolts for the door. That is always a good sign.

I needed some encouraging words like that when I went to my last horseback riding lesson. I was going to have a lesson with another person - a very little person who seems to me to have no fear. She gets right up on this huge horse and follows the instructor's directions very calmly and precisely and happily. I was very calm and happy myself when I arrived until I found out that because the little person was on the mild horse, I was going to get to ride the Arabian. I call him the wild Arabian. He is in training (so am I). He doesn't like to stand still (which makes it exciting when you are trying to get up on him), he likes to go fast and he likes to dance around. I tend to prefer the mild horse that takes a little more to get her moving. Call me chicken - I don't mind! I am sure the horses do. I wish I could have had a picture of my face when the instructor told me I was going to get to ride the Arabian that day. And I thought my yoga students looked scared when I mentioned their legs floating up in the air.

Well - I did survive and actually did quite well on the Arabian. He was fun and challenging. I followed the instructor's directions very calmly and precisely and happily. I think I am over my fear of the wild Arabian until next time.

It is important to scare yourself a little every day. Get out of that comfort zone and see what you can really do.

Quick - Get the Camera

I recently attended a yoga workshop with an instructor who goes by the name of "Yeah Dave". He combines yoga, chocolate and wine - which I have always been an avid supporter of. I enjoyed the workshop, the refreshments and Dave - as a good looking male instructor always keeps me present in the moment in class. Dave heavily promotes this concept and has a video clip on his WEB site of him interviewing people in Hawaii being present in the moment (how can you not be present in the moment in Hawaii?). He sent out a newsletter after the workshop inviting us to send him pictures of us being present in the moment. I immediately began to think of creative extraordinary things I could do and then photograph to submit in response to his request. Then I came to my senses.

Last night I held a "yoga on the beach" party. My best friend and I went to the beach a few hours before party time to enjoy the sun, waves and friend time as well as make sure we were the first ones at the party. As the start time for the beach games approached I was disappointed that hoards of yogis were not descending on the area we staked out with our Hillbillly Golf Game (i.e. a game similar to horsehoes but played with a ladder frame and golf balls on rope) and our yoga mats. I lamented that we might be the only ones. She wisely responded (as she so often does) that "many people really wanted to come but it was Saturday and they got caught up with Saturday things and the time slipped away from them. Besides it wouldn't be so bad with just the two of us." She was right. If no one else showed up we would get all the prizes (including the wine and beer - how awesome is that?) and I would get more time with my best friend who has been working so much lately I have hardly seen her.

I relaxed and the yogis started to arrive. Some came for the games and more came for the yoga. People around us stopped to watch. We invited them to join us but they just continued to watch. The weather was incredible. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the water was clear, there wasn't any seaweed washed up on shore and the sand felt cool as you dug your fingers in to stay balanced in a pose. Some people from Florida or Hawaii won't come to the beach because it isn't Florida or Hawaii. They just haven't seen Galveston in October. If they only knew what they were missing their mat would have been next to mine on the beach.

The sun was getting close to setting as I invited the group to lie back on their mats, relax their legs and wiggle their toes, roll their head from side to side and let everything sink into the sand. Then, all we heard was the ocean, all we smelled was the clean cool air.

Quick - get the camera - snap a picture for Yeah Dave.

It's the Little Things In Life That Count the Most

One of the guys from my weight lifting class was working out with his friend a few weeks ago. They were running on the treadmill. He felt "funny" and funny enough to go to the doctor and get checked out. Fortunately for him, they discovered a problem with his heart through a stress test before a major disaster and were able to take care of it with surgery. I asked our weight class to contribute healthy snacks to put in a basket for our weight lifting friend and bring them to class today. His workout partner was taking the basket to him after class. The workout partner came up to me and told me that people were great and that this was such a nice thing and he was so appreciative. It was a little thing but it made a big impact and I was grateful to be a part of that event.

My husband is traveling and I called him to ask him a question this afternoon. He commented that the phone calls were non-stop since he got off the plane but he had to answer this one (mine) because it was the most important one. I laughed and told him I appreciated his joking - but I really think he was serious - could he have been? It was a little thing but it made a big impact and I was grateful to be a part of the event.

This evening in yoga class I moved about the room adjusting people and assisting them in making it deeper into poses.I helped one guy move deeper into a triangle pose. I helped him turn and then lean a little farther over and then I moved onto the next person. He came up to me after class with a big smile on his face, saying the class tonight was the best ever and thanked me. It was a little thing but it made a big impact and I was grateful to be a part of the event.

Go do little things. They will make big impacts and you will be grateful to be a part of the event.

Keep On Truckin'

I have had endless problems with my cell phone company as many of my friends well know. The latest episode involved a 40 minute telephone call to correct billing errors they made and a few trips to the store to exchange a phone that died - all in one day. After the call, I sat there on the verge of tears from the countless hours of frustration I racked up over the last six months and wondered - when is enough, enough? "Not until I get what I need!" I thought as I typed up a letter to the Chief Service Officer of the Company.

I admit, I am more persistent than most. I am always disappointed when I see new people leave the yoga room early in their first class. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen. I wonder what I could have done differently to stop it. I am assured by the regulars that there wasn't anything I could have said or done differently. "Some people just give up more quickly than others", they say.

During class there are always people stopping, sitting down or laying down for a few minutes or more - finding a pose that works better for them at that moment. Some laugh as I demonstrate a pose with my hands on the floor and my feet in the air. I can hear their "no way" or the noises that tell me they are thinking "you have got to be kidding". But they stay. And they work through the poses and they rest when they need to and "no way" turns into "some day". And there they are - with their hands on the floor and their feet in the air.

Keep on truckin'!

Be Careful What You Say

My younger son, a true engineer, was designing a beverage holder for his golf bag and had a six pack of Coke that he was using in his experiment out in the garage. He left for college and the experiment was left behind. I brought the Cokes into the house to get them out of the heat (for fear they might explode sitting out in the garage) and left them on the barstool to empty and recycle later.

That night my husband and I came in from a fun evening playing games at a friend's house - if you call losing to my husband every time we play a game fun. Actually we are able to take him down occasionally, just not last night. As I walked in the door I noticed the floor dirty from all the barbecuing and just people walking in and out of the house earlier that day. I declared loudly that I was going to call my friend's maid to clean the house because I just couldn't mop the floor one more time. I was so tired of cleaning the floor and was ready for my "back to school" treat - the maid. Every summer when the boys leave for college I treat myself to a house cleaning by a professional and I was ready.

As I walked past the bar stools heading to the computer room to shut off my laptop for the night, I knocked the stool where I had placed the Coke cans earlier in the day. The cans hit the floor exploding into rivers of Coke running along the grout grooves and then just pouring over the tiles, splashing onto the couch and chair (thank goodness for easy clean up leather). I let loose a few words of surprise, resigned myself to pulling out the mop, bleach and pail and mopped the floor - one more time!

In yoga, I was settling down on my mat in the front of the room as the last of the Zumba dancers from the class before mine exited the room. I saw an instructor and another friend heading out the door and lightheartedly gave them a hard time for not staying for yoga. The instructor said her body just couldn't handle getting tied up in a pretzel that night. I started to laugh because some times I have a theme night (like head and shoulders - headstands and shoulder stands) and tonight was "pretzel night" - with a plan for a lot of twists and human pretzel poses. The class looked at me with fear in their eyes when I revealed that to them after her comment.

Be careful what you say - you just might get it.

In My Space - In My Face

I was able to board the plane early thanks to my husband's frequent flying privileges. I was on my way to meet him to play in his company's annual golf tournament. It would be a welcome but short get-away from the Texas heat. I was pleased the airline switched our plane from the original itsy bitsy teeny tiny express jet it was supposed to be - to a 737. It resulted in more empty seats than I expected, which is always nice for the passengers but not the airline. I took my window seat in the exit row that I love for the extra room for my extra long legs. Other passengers continued to board the plane.

Eventually a gentleman - good looking to boot - entered my row and took the aisle seat. He was engaged in a cell phone conversation that he continued with until the main cabin door was closed and all cell phones had to be turned off. He hung his jacket on the tray table hook of the seat between us as he sat down. Throughout the flight he was pleasant, occasionally making a comment regarding happenings on the plane. He perused one part of his newspaper keeping the other sections in the seat between us. It ended up holding his jacket (which moved there when he lowered the middle seat tray table to make a place for his drinks), wallet, napkin and a few other assorted articles. He lowered his own tray table to make room for his laptop and remained engaged in his work for most of the flight - until his three beers (or was it four? - I blame it on my wine!) at high altitude kicked in!

With his beers spread out on the middle tray table and his belongings filling the chair between us, I suddenly felt a little claustrophobic. My space was being taken over ever so subtly. I placed my wine cup (I wish I'd brought my own real glass) on the tray table between us, opened my bottle and poured myself a glass on "his" tray table, leaving mine empty. I smirked as I started to edge into his space - looked out the window at the beautiful sunset and smiled. "I'll bet he doesn't even realize what he did or that I am writing about him" - I thought.

He really turned out to be quite a nice fellow. We talked after dinner about our work and families as his beers kicked in and his desire to focus on his work waned. I am sure he didn't mean to take over the space like he did. But a real gentleman (like my husband) would have asked if I minded if he used the open seat or table or if we could share.

I was reminded of the space on the plane issue the other day when a gym member I had not seen in a long time ran into me after my class. She moved in very close while she was talking. I wanted to take a step back but was up against a wall already. I thought maybe it was just because she is a hair dresser and usually gets right up next to people to work on them that she was so comfortable being so close. I laughed to myself as it almost seemed absurd and wondered if I "got in people's space" too.

In yoga I try to respect people's space. I do not step on their mats. I let people know I am near if their head is down and they don't see me coming. I gently touch their shoulder as a warning. I ask permission to adjust their pose.

It is ok to be in other people's space - just ask permission first.

Do What You Say You Are Going to Do

It sounded like a good idea at the time. The 6:00 am cycling instructors were going on vacation and needed subs for their classes for two weeks. I signed up for it and then the alarm went off at 4:45 am. It was then I first questioned my sanity (actually I have questioned it many times before - usually when it involves getting my body out of bed before the sun is warm). Surely I had been out of my mind when I agreed to get up before the crack of dawn to lead others in exercise. I jumped out of bed quickly before my body realized what was happening to it and jumped in the shower to wake up. Actually, it is a really amazing thing to get up when the moon and stars are out and the night air is still a bit cool as you head to the gym to exercise. I wonder where all of those other people I see on the road are going at this crazy hour of the morning. What amazes me even more is the fact some people are actually leaving the gym when I arrive at 5:30 a.m. - they are finished with their workout. What time did they start?

By the time we are into our warm-up in class I am starting to feel alive and considering conversion to morning person status. When I leave the gym the sun is rising and a new day has already begun and life is good.

So - I thought. I shouldn't keep this incredible experience all to myself. I want all of my yoga students to experience this pre-dawn awesomeness too. I mentioned it to my yoga class that next night. I told them I would be teaching cycling class in the morning and they should join me. "You will be done with your workout before your body knows it is awake!" - I promised with a devilish smile. Two college age girls came up to me all excited after class to say they would be there. Two other women said "they might" and I knew they meant well but I could guarantee I would not see them in the morning.

The next morning, as class began promptly at 6:00 a.m., I looked hopefully about the room but didn't see any of the ladies that said they would or they might be in class. Just as I was about to lose all hope - which is tragic for a hopelessly optimistic person - two energetic young girls walked into the room and set up on bikes near the front of class - my two "we will be there" girls. The "mights" never showed up.

If you say you will - you will. If you say you might - you probably won't.

I love people who do what they say they are going to do.

High Expectations

I know I am guilty of high expectation syndrome. I expect a lot of things and I am sometimes disappointed. A friend once suggested I try not to expect anything and I will never be disappointed. I never adopted his philosophy. I prefer to keep my optimistic attitude and most of the time it serves me well.

Over the weekend I enjoyed a great time with family and friends. Our Sunday was highlighted with church, relaxing by the pool and playing games in the backyard. I took my son, his girlfriend and their friend out to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in the area. We were seated within a few minutes and were looking forward to the friendly,entertaining service and incredible food we have always experienced there. Within a few minutes we all had the feeling it was not going to go well. From the minute the waitress said "I'll be with you in a sec" that expanded into what felt like ten minutes or more, we knew we were doomed. A problem here and there is not a big deal and they are easily brushed off, but that evening they snowballed. The waitress certainly wasn't new, she just had the wrong attitude that matched her poor service. A floor manager walked up to the table and asked the perfunctory "how is everything tonight?". When I politely responded "not so good" and explained why, she merely responded repeatedly with "I'm sorry" but never did anything to correct the situation. We were soon out the door feeling cheated of a good dining experience and left with a disappointing ending to an otherwise wonderful day.

I know that my yoga students have expectations when they come into class. Some think we are just going to relax and breathe the whole time, others think they will have to be a contortionist, and some have no idea what to expect. I try to explain in the beginning how the class will go - starting with breathing exercises, then "almost aerobic" sun salutations, then everything will slow down, ... I remind them to pay attention to their body and the messages it sends them. I encourage them to take breaks when they need them - and they WILL need them. I can't explain everything that they will enjoy during the class but I like to clarify some expectations. I hope that settles their mind a bit and helps them enjoy the experience.

I can't wait to hear the restaurant owner's response to my letter!

So Many People, So Little Time

I come from a very large family by today's standards. I have seven brothers and sisters. Our dad passed away last year one day shy of his 91st birthday. We celebrated his life with an Irish Catholic service complete with a bagpiper and whiskey shots at the cemetery on a beautiful Michigan Memorial Day ending it all with a sprinkling of rain and a double rainbow (go Irish - go leprechauns!)

I was teaching a business class in the fall on Personal and Professional Effectiveness and was covering some ideas from the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. He asks us to ask ourselves "What is the one thing in my personal life that I am not doing now that if I did, it would make a significant positive impact on my personal life?". The question is asked in regard to your professional life also. I posed the questions to the class. To give them ideas I presented my answers. In my professional life I want to learn Spanish so I can teach my business and fitness classes in Spanish in foreign countries. I started years ago but need to ramp up my studies if I am going to make that goal any time soon. When it came to my personal life I immediately thought of my dad. Out of nowhere I said I would call my brothers and sisters every month in order to keep in touch and keep them connected (and that is no small task considering there are seven of them and some of those phone calls can last hours!). I started that night, though I already had credit for a few since I regularly call some of them, even talk to them daily. Some were a little concerned at first when they answered the telephone, thinking someone had died. And quickly let go a sigh of relief when they heard I just wanted to say "Hi" and see what was up. It has turned out to be a wonderful goal. I hear the delight in their voices when they hear it is me just calling to catch up. Some of them never think about calling, they get so busy with their lives, so I am glad I started this. I have already added my mother-in-law to the list. I am thinking of adding all of my husband's brothers and sisters - but remember - that is another large Catholic family! Why not?

I taught yoga Saturday to a very full class. There were mats lined up against the back wall. Near the end of class I was looking at the back wall people and realized I hadn't made it back there very often during class to adjust them, offer a comment or demonstrate a pose next to them. I like to touch everyone, look at everyone or just make a positive comment on how hard they are working if I can. It is important. Tonight I will try to do just that - make sure I "touch" everyone in the class at least once every time. What a positive impact that will have.

One gym I work at has a goal of touching 24 millions lives with our fitness classes this year. I better get started. So many yoga students, so little time.

Soft Hands, Warm Heart

I was walking out of the grocery store toward my car and noticed an elderly gentleman walking toward me headed into the store. I say elderly because he was probably in his 80's but, he certainly didn't act elderly. He walked unassisted with a bit of a lively sprint in his gait. He wore a baseball cap on his head proudly sporting some military insignia USS... but he was walking so fast (remember?) I didn't get a chance to focus and read it. As he was about to pass me something dropped from his pocket. It was a small package of Kleenex. I said "Whoops, wait" as I hastened to pick it up. He turned back and I placed the package in his hand. As my hand touched his I noticed how soft it was, yet strong. It reminded me of my father's hand. My dad passed away last year leaving behind a lifetime of wonderful memories. In his last years I loved to visit him at his assisted living residence and sit on the porch with him shooting the breeze. Occasionally another resident or an employee would join us in conversation. I usually held his frail soft hand in mine. He would squeeze it every so often, a silent way of letting me know he was glad I was there.

As I smiled and bid the gentleman in the parking lot a good day, I started to cry a little bit as I thought of my dad. The gentleman couldn't see my tears under my dark sunglasses, just my smile and he cheerfully thanked me and strode off into the store.

In yoga class I frequently touch members to encourage them to go deeper into a pose or to let them know I am near and might be giving them further assistance. In the winter I try to rub my hands together first to warm them up before I touch them so I don't shock them. I hope my touch is soft and gentle and encouraging.

I can still feel his hand in mine.

The Perfect Party

I was invited to a personal shower for the future daughter-in-law of my friend. I love parties and really enjoy meeting new people. I behaved myself with the present I purchased which is so unlike me - a Victoria Secret gift certificate and Godiva chocolates. You really can't go wrong there.

I knew the moment my girlfriend and I pulled up in the drive-way it was going to be the "perfect" party. The pool in the backyard had the perfect fountain of water spraying over the perfectly clear water. The lawn was perfectly manicured. When we entered the house all of the women were perfectly behaved, standing or sitting, talking about perfectly appropriate party subjects. Two perfectly groomed poodles greeted us and later sat in the lap of the hostess - behaving as perfect poodles do. The table was beautifully set with little sandwiches and punch and a - you guessed it - perfectly decorated cake that matched the picture on the invitation. We were going to have dinner as a group after the shower so I tried to save my appetite but the cake kept calling to me. I can resist a store bought cake but I overheard that this one was baked by the hostess' work friend and she makes divine cakes. So I cut a small slice (that could fit into my mouth in one bite) and placed it on my napkin. I lifted the cake with my fingers and dropped it into my mouth and wow - what a delight and what a mistake. It was now going to be extremely difficult to resist getting more. I failed miserably at resisting. I ended up back at the table and sliced a much bigger piece of cake and again placed it on a napkin. My friend and the hostess happened to be standing next to me at the table this time. The hostess tried to put a plate under my napkin as I enjoyed the cake piece by piece. I let her put the plate under my cake but never did make it to the fork before I finished it off. It just tastes better to me when it can be enjoyed that way. The hostess kept a straight face but inside I am sure she was horrified. Maybe she never lived with five brothers or a houseful of men. I enjoy visiting the perfect party where everything is in its perfect place and sometimes wish mine was the same way - but I am much more comfortable when I can eat my cake my way!

I jest about the "perfectness" of the party. It really was a delightful afternoon and I immensely enjoyed the women I met. I sometimes have the perfect house too. Whenever we have a party all of the imperfections get fixed and cleaned and the house looks perfect when guests arrive. That is one of the reasons I love to have parties.

I consider my yoga class a party. Though we don't have cake and punch I like to make sure people have a good time. In my class there is no "perfect" - no perfect pose, no perfect anything - just practice. I like my members to smile, to laugh, to groan, to be creative with their poses and do their best with what they have. I try to emphasize the "relaxed - do what you can" atmosphere right away so everyone enjoys class and new people are not intimidated.

And sometimes - I even see some perfect poses.

Trash and Treasure

I was outside washing the car and heard a pick-up truck rounding the corner. I looked up to see a red truck making its way around the cul-de-sac with its bed overflowing with "stuff". I smiled because it was probably the usual (night before trash pick-up) recycling bandits. I think they are absolutely great. They drive through the neighborhood checking out people's trash to see if they can find any treasures. We helped one of them load our old washing machine onto his truck many moons ago. He knew a place that paid for scrap metal and that is where he took many of his trash treasures. Other items left on the curb are garage sale leftovers and would become very useful to that special someone willing to take the time to sand and repaint or repair a broken part. It's not for everybody but I am glad for those who do enjoy it.

The same can be said for yoga. There are some out there who will "trash" my treasure.
"Oh, that is too hard"
"I can't do that, I am not flexible enough"
"I don't get into all that chanting and incense stuff" (which we don't do in my classes - gym yoga is different than studio yoga)
If they only knew. If they just took a little time to investigate what it really is about, they would find a yoga that was perfect for them. There are so many types out there, I am sure there is one that will work for every body (I split that word on purpose!).

Like the recycling bandits, look around and check things out. You are sure to find a yoga instructor and class that is a treasure for you.

The Line Kept Getting Longer and Longer

I was looking for a checkout line and peered hopefully down the long line of unlit register lights to see only three or four scattered lights. I made my way to the closest one and was delighted to find that my favorite cashier was on duty. There is something about this checker. He is the best customer service person I have ever come across in my entire life (wow - that is something to say!). He is cheerful, friendly, easy going, helpful and can calm down the most unpleasant customer with a few words. I quickly made my way into his line. I watched him take care of the customer in front of me and was additionally impressed as she asked for a bag of ice to be added to her order. The checker walked over to the ice cooler a few yards away, grabbed a bag of ice from the freezer and brought it back to the lady's shopping cart. What service! Even though I have an automatic ice maker at home that I was sure was working properly and didn't have any plans that involve filling a cooler with additional ice, I found myself wanting some ice too. When it was my turn, I requested a bag of ice and he purposefully walked over to the cooler and brought me back a bag. I praised his exceptional customer service and mentioned how I had used him as an example in a presentation I made at a conference last month. The topic was on positivity and this cashier's glass is definitely more than half full. There was a line forming behind me in the lane (as stores never seem to have enough registers open when they need them) that was certainly not a reflection of the speed with which he served customers. I looked back along the faces of the people in line and they were all smiling, something you don't usually see. What an amazing effect our attitude has.

When I finish teaching my yoga class and say that final Namaste, I can't help but smile. My yoga students give me positive energy and I hope that I give them some as well. I want them to seek me out and keep coming back to my class, just like I keep looking for that happy cashier at the store.

Think and Act Like a Kid Again

I have a varied career and am a trifecta for the organizer when it comes to volunteering for Career Day at any school. I can cover three careers - trainer, engineer and fitness instructor. The high schools are more interested in having me discuss engineering, but I usually get to cover all three in my presentation when I work with the younger kids. I have games I play and activities to keep them interested and involved. One game I really like to use is a creativity exercise called the Paper Airplane game. The group is divided into teams and each team is given a different colored pack of paper to use. The object of the game is to be the team with the most paper airplanes in the landing zone when time is called (that is the only instruction given). The game only lasts for a few minutes and all teams start from behind the same starting line and have the same landing zone as a target. I have played the game with players of all ages from elementary school to adults. It is interesting to watch the differences in the age groups. The little kids make all kinds of airplanes including wadded up balls and paper is flying everywhere along with giggles and squeals. Once one teacher tried to correct the kids showing them how to correctly make an airplane and I had to stop her and tell them they were just fine. The older the kids were that played the game, the more restricted they were in their behavior. The adults would organize themselves, ask the best airplane maker to teach the others or set up assembly lines. It was an interesting experiment. One adult team would inevitably start to throw sheets of paper as the time started to run out, with someone finally throwing the rest of the pack to win the game.

We restrict our creativity as we grow up. We have to conform to all sorts of rules and our childlike spirit disappears. There were no rules in the game on what an airplane had to look like but we put restrictions on ourselves. The kids had no restrictions.

I held a yoga party on the beach last evening. A little boy that couldn't have been more than eight years old was watching us do yoga and came up to me and said he wanted to do it too. I told him he was very welcome to join us and he found a place for himself alongside the other yoga students. He did every pose that we did but with his own little eight year old twist to it. When he fell he didn't stop, he just tried again. He even tried the advanced poses where only your hands were in the sand and your feet were in the air. He stayed for the entire hour including resting quietly on his back in corpse pose for our savasana relaxation.

I smiled as I watched my regular yoga class this evening. No one stopped because they fell down or something was too hard. They just tried again and hung in there and made it to the end, like my eight year old yoga buddy.

We should all be more like eight year old kids in all we do - the world would be a better and more fun place to be.

To the Left, To the Right

I was pulling out of a parking space and carefully looked to the left and the right as I started to inch out of the space. I always do it that way. My car is very low and it is hard to see around most vehicles parked on either side of me. It has served me well as I haven't hit anyone in a parking lot yet (knock on wood), unless you count high school. I drove my dad's car to school one day not long after receiving that most coveted privilege - the driver's license. It was a huge Chrysler and even though I am tall - 5"9" - I felt tiny in the front seat of that car. I pulled into a parking space, and the little perfectionist in me started to back up to pull in again perfectly parallel. It needed just a little straightening, I thought. When I backed up I tapped the VW bug (do they call them that anymore?) that was driving by. It just happened to be the high school driver education instructor. There wasn't any damage to either car but I was humiliated none the less - until I walked into the school. The driving instructor was not the most well liked teacher and I was a bit of a hero for a day as the story spread throughout the school. Maybe that is why I look so carefully from side to side now when I pull out of a space. I wish other people would. I always notice other drivers. It seems they are focused in only one direction. They have their eyes on a parking spot or a turn but forget to look the other way. Many times it is because they have their cell phone atached to one ear. But there's another story for another day.

In yoga class we always balance ourselves by repeating whatever pose we do for one side on the other. It makes sense in our heads and it makes sense for our body.

Check things out in both directions - whatever you are doing. You never know what you are missing that might be coming at you from the other side.

Just My Mat

I am proud to say my oldest son just graduated from college with honors in a difficult major. He had several job offers and has a few months off before he has to join the real world. In the meantime, he is moving home to live with us while he makes the transition from one lifestyle to another. Everything that he owns came home with him (and was added to the remnants of high school - e.g. his varsity letter jacket and homecoming boutonnieres). This last week has been an unending sorting, dumping, moving process as I worked through his belongings with him as well as cleansing other parts of the house. I marveled at all the things we have acquired. There is nothing extravagant or particularly unusual in the mess, just a lot of clothes and toys and general stuff. What breaks my heart is when I come across something that is still in the package or shows no visible signs of wear. So many things and so little time to use them, I muse. I felt great as I loaded all the give-aways in the car and delivered them to the local donation center. There were many items I knew others would consider treasures that I hoped would be put to good use.

During the overhaul, as my son contemplated moving into his own apartment, he verbalized the things he would need. "I just need a bed, and some clothes and some food and a way to get to work - some kind of old car. That is all I really need." Yes - that is true. That is all we really need. (He had been talking for years about the new car he wanted to buy when he got out of school but today he spent hours cleaning up one of our old cars - seventeen years old to be exact - and is excited about using it.)

All I really need is my yoga mat. How simple life would be if all I had to carry with me was my mat. It is my refuge from the stresses of life. When I teach I escape into the yoga world with my students, breathing and stretching and working hard as we move from one pose to another, finally reaching savasana to relax at the end. All the stresses of the world are gone as we focus on yoga for that hour.

If I needed to I could use it as a bed. If I was cold I could wrap it around me and experience some relief from the cold or the rain - but maybe not from the Texas heat. If my house was burning down I would grab my yoga mat and run.

If they start making yoga mats out of chocolate I would definitely have all that I need to survive.

I Just Want Some Attention Please

A transformer blew in the neighborhood and we lost power for several hours on a hot Sunday afternoon. We already had plans for a movie but decided to eat out after since we had no idea how long the power outage would last. We went to a steak restaurant where my favorite part of their awesomeness is their rolls. We were seated in the bar area and rarely saw our waiter even though we gave him signals - i.e. empty water glasses and bread baskets (not that I really needed him to refill that). I could have called for him but didn't want to embarrass the kids. The lack of attention was noticeable.

I walk around the room during yoga class adjusting people in their poses, with a gentle hand here or fingers coaxing them to move deeper into the pose in my direction. If they are looking down I gently touch their back to let them know I am there so they don't get surprised and fall over and then I ask them if they would like me to help them in a pose. Sometime I pose a question to the whole class asking if anyone would like me to help them get their foot behind their head or into some other contortion. Many times, all I have to do is walk by and I can see their leg go higher or they twist a little more and I don't even have to stop. It is amazing - the power of just walking by. I try not to spend too much time with one person because the rest of the class is waiting for the next move and they will let me know if I leave them in a pose too long. With a laugh I tell them they will have to keep the pose just as long on the other side so they are not lopsided and the lighthearted groans begin. If I spend too much time with one person the rest of the class does not get the benefit of my attention and assistance. It is a delicate dance.

I think the waiter could learn a little about paying attention to people from the yoga room (I don't want him to touch us! - just stop by a little more often!)

You Told Me To Do It

The general public does not have the advantage I have in understanding some of the things that are going on behind the scenes with the Gulf Oil disaster. I have some direct conections within the "Company" and find the discrepancies between the breaking news headlines and comments from high officials, and the real story upsetting. But what disturbed me recently were comments from companies somewhat indirectly involved in the disaster. They claim that they will not have any legal obligations because they were told by the "Company" to do certain things against their better judgment (that is what they say - we really don't know that for a fact). My question is "What happened to their better judgment?" Why did they not stop something they didn't feel was right or they had knowledge of was wrong? Do they always just do what the "boss" says to do?

In yoga class I provide verbal instructions for poses as well as actually performing the pose for a visual reference. I also make recommendations for modifications. I let participants know that if they have injuries or a pose doesn't feel right or forces them to breath through their mouth instead of their nose (a sign they are struggling) they should back off or not do the pose at all. I trust them to know their bodies and know what is working and what is not working for them. I would not want them to keep pushing a pose or continue struggling if they knew it was not right for them just because I told them to do it. I believe these instructions and my participants' common sense (i.e. better judgment) keep them injury free.

Tell Me What I Am Doing Wrong So I Can Fix It

I brush and floss my teeth daily and make visits to the dentist for a cleaning and check up every six months religiously. My teeth are important to me. Maybe the fact three of my five brothers are dentists has impacted my habits over the years, but there is nothing like that great feeling you get right after your teeth are cleaned. I don't want to eat because I don't want to mess them up. So, it was a surprise to me that with all this care I take I had a serious problem develop under a crown that required advanced dental care. I had to wait an entire month to get in to see the specialist. In the meantime I was encouraged by a fellow gym member to try their dentist - who could do everything in one visit. I decided it wouldn't hurt to check them out and see what they had to say.

I was a little apprehensive when I called for an appointment and was able to get in immediately. They tried to impress me with all of the fancy equipment and technology. They were still trying as I stood there with my purse in hand, my trademark sun visor on my head and my sunglasses perched on top ready to go. I never did tell them why I left. I wasn't sure the doctor really cared. I may still write to them in the hopes that it will make them think just a little bit more about the message they are sending out.

I usually have at least one new person in my yoga class every time I teach and several others that have only tried the class a few times along with the regulars and my hard core fans. Rarely, but it does happen, that a new person will roll up their mat and exit the room before class is complete. It breaks my heart that they might be frustrated or overwhelmed by the class. I always encourage the new people (actually everyone) to take breaks whenever their body tells them to and not to worry about what the other person's pose looks like - just make the pose work for them by modifying it however they want to. Normally, they hang in there and talk to me afterwards about their experience. But once in a while I can tell someone is overwhelmed and leaves. I wish I could run after them and talk to them and encourage them, but I have to stay with the rest of the class. I wish I could find out what I was doing that made it diffucult for them. Or maybe - they just wanted to try a little bit and will be back. But I don't know - because they never tell me.

I wish they would.

Make Me Do It

When you walk in the door of your house at the end of a long hard work day, what you really need is some time to chill and make the transition from work to the family. A friend was telling his story about coming home from work, having solved problems all day and just wanting some time to relax and slow down before greeting his young son and hearing about the antics of the day. His wife, a stay at home mom, looks forward to the time when he gets home so she can enjoy adult conversation and usually starts to share her day the moment he comes through the door. I referenced the "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" book. The author describes how a man (and women do too!) needs a cave to escape to and a few minutes to transition before being ready to talk. He said his wife read the book but doesn't do it. I suggested she get a coach - someone to encourage her to practice the principles in the book.

I teach yoga and other fitness classes. My schedule makes me do the exercise. I have to be at a certain place at a certain time to teach, which guarantees I will exercise. I love it too so it is not hard to do, but that is beside the point.

What can you do to make sure you implement learning you have experienced through training or reading or keep up with an exercise program? I suggest you get a sidekick to encourage you and keep you motivated. It can be a friend or a professional coach. Try it, you will like it.

Other Leg On Top

I was sitting in the hot tub (where I do my best thinking) visualizing an exercise I am planning to use as the opening to my workshop at a conference next month. In this partner exercise the participants stand and make physical changes to their appearance and then try to guess what others have done. It doesn't take them long to switch everything back after the exercise is over because they are comfortable with the way things were before.

In yoga class I try to start the class differently each time, changing the breathing exercise or whether we are sitting or relaxing in corpse pose. During class there are many familiar standby poses that we do every time but I also change the main focus of class. Sometimes it is headstands, splits, arm balances or twists to keep things interesting. Many students are able to more easily do a pose on one side but not as easily on the other. They might have more balance on their left foot so they don't like to balance on their right foot. They may have a tight right shoulder so they only like to do shoulder opening poses on the left side. In lotus pose (a seated position with the legs tightly crossed onto opposite thighs) some people are able to do the pose with one leg on top but not the other. They always do the pose with the leg that works on top, never trying to work through it with the other leg.

I encourage you to try the "other leg on top". Don't be so comfortable and always keep things the same or be so quick to change things back right after you try something new. You might just like the new pose or be surprised that something you couldn't do before is possible.

Sidekick

We had just settled down to the start of yoga class and our relaxation breathing exercise. The back wall of the yoga room is clear glass and I noticed a couple walk up to the room and have a seat on a bench near the door with a good view of the room. Then they stood up to read the posted class schedule. I was sure they wanted to join us but assumed they felt a little uncomfortable because the class had already started. I went to the door, cracked it open, invited them in and handed them mats. They found a place near the back of the group and joined right in.

Just as I encourage others, I find myself encouraged by others to try new things.

My husband and I went to Cabo San Lucas recently for a birthday get-away. I have always wanted to zip-line and found myself on a bus with him and a group of tourists headed to San Jose for a zip-lining adventure. My husband really wanted to stay at the hotel and relax as he travels all the time - but after all - it was my birthday - so he went along for the adventure. "What is zip-lining?" you ask. You are harnessed and connected to a cable or rope that extends across a canyon and "slide" down the cable to the other side squealing all the way. At least I squealed. My first one was a squeal of fear, the subsequent ones were squeals of delight. Each zip gets longer and higher, which only adds to the excitement - or the fear depending on your perspective. At one point on the adventure you given a choice - to do the "chicken line" and head to the right for a few more zips or do the "adventurous" choice and head to the left for rappelling down a cliff and some rock climbing. As I contemplated the choices and considered whether I was a chicken, my husband headed down to the left without a word or his usual kiss good-bye. As I watched him disappear I thought - "I am not going to listen to him call me a chicken for the next few days" and my decision was made. I joined the rest of the adventurous travelers on the two by four foot platform at the top of the cliff. THIS WAS GOING TO BE FUN - I kept telling myself. And it really was.

It is difficult to take a risk and try something new. But, when you have a buddy with you or extra encouragement (e.g. desertion) it is always easier.

I recommend you find someone to be your SIDEKICK to stand or zip or downward dog at your side - (maybe even give you a little "side" kick) and you will find it easier to jump in and enjoy the adventure.

http://www.sidekickcoach.com/

Wine a Little - You'll Feel Better

For the past few years I have attended the Yoga Journal Yoga Conference in San Francisco. It is a beautiful town filled with exciting things to do and the conference is always a delightful buffet of "All I Can Yoga" events and workshops. But my favorite part of the trip is hooking up with my sister to spend a day in the wine country. This last time we ended up at the Jacuzzi winery simply because the name reminded us of a lot of fun parties that ended up in a jacuzzi. It turns out the winery history connects back to the inventor of the Jacuzzi - (I knew I was going to like that place). I joined their wine club and received my first wine shipment today. As I opened the box and reviewed all the labels on the bottles I was reminded of that wonderful afternoon where my sister and I spent a few hours in wine heaven - sampling all sorts of white and red wines and the chocolates to go with them. A favorite was a chocolate shot glass that we were able to eat after shooting the wine. We were the only ones in the winery so we were given a great deal of attention - and extra samples - hence my joining the Jacuzzi wine club!

In yoga class, I encourage my students to gently use the wall, blocks and straps to assist them in getter deeper into a pose so that their body will remember where it is supposed to go in a pose. The next time they attempt that pose, their body might be able to take them to that place where the prop helped them get previously.

Like the wine shipment - the body and mind remember - and we enjoy the present moment or pose even more.

Where Were You Last Week?

I sponsored my neighbor's son for his confirmation in the Catholic Church last night. I was there when the boy was born - which was an exciting tearful ceremony and I was there last night - which was a slightly tearful and exciting in a different way ceremony. His Eminence (I love that - his eminence) the Daniel Cardinal DiNardo said the mass and conducted the ceremony. I love to listen to him speak. He is clear and straightforward and funny. He said the mass for my sons and conducted their confirmation ceremony a few years ago when he was a bishop. The oldest said he would go to church every day if the Cardinal was saying the mass (I am sure I could find out where the Cardinal will be every day and get my son to live up to that one!) because he enjoyed his sermons so much. The Cardinal was presenting his sermon and was telling the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples after his death. "Jesus said Peace Be With You - he didn't say Where Were You Last Week?" I laughed as I thought of my yoga students.

Sometimes they are late for class and apologize. I smile and say - "It's not a problem - I'm glad you're here. It is always ok to come in no matter how late you are". Sometimes they tell me they are going to be gone or tell me why they missed the last ten classes and I am always glad they are back. No need to apologize. I won't grill you to find out where you were last week or why you won't be here next week. I'm just glad you are here now.

Only the Perfect Ones

My husband was helping me fill hundreds of small bags with M&M's for a give-away in the attendee bags for a conference I am speaking at in May. I asked him to pull out any broken ones and only use the "perfect" ones as he filled the bags with a spoon. He obliged.

Then I connected it to yoga, as I always do.

I tell my students that their pose doesn't have to be perfect and that they don't have to look like the person next to them. I remind them that this is a practice and they should make the pose work for them however they have to modify it. I encourage them by saying every pose is a good pose as long as they are still breathing.

Then I looked back at the M&M 's I was pouring into a bag and let a broken one slip into the bag - with a smile.

Come On In and Join In On the Fun

My husband was having a poker game with the guys at the house so I had to escape and entertain myself for six hours. That is not hard to do. I rallied the ladies together for drinks, a movie and a trip to a country western bar called Big Texas. One of my friends was worried we might be too old for the place. To alleviate her concerns I asked the bouncer at the door if there was an upper age limit for the bar. He didn't look like he had passed his twenty first birthday yet. He smiled and said, "that is the first time I've ever heard that one". I am sure he has heard a lot of interesting things. I replied, "that is the first time I ever asked that one". He assured me that we were not old at all and invited us into the bar. It turned out to be a grand time. There was a live band, many great dancers that are always fun to watch two-stepping around the dance floor, and great challenges at the pool tables. Oh, and did I mention the cute cowboys?

Some people have the same attitude toward yoga class. They think - I am too old, I am not flexible, I will never be able to do that. The list goes on. I think they are missing out on a good time and on something that is good for them. I say - Don't hesitate at the door, come on in and join in on the fun!

At What Price?

The man on the lounge chair next to me at the pool in this beautiful Mexican town was talking about his company and the work they do. The Company sent several hundred employees to this resort for a sales celebration. They had an incredible stage set up on the beach for the evening events and we could hear the music, partying and awards presentation the night before. "Those salespeople that received awards probably log well over 80 hours a week working", he said with pride. He included himself in that prestigious group. "At what price?", I thought to myself as I learned of the separation in his marriage after inquiring about the book he was reading. It is his choice and I am sure he is happy with it for many reasons, but it would not be mine.

I think about the people in my yoga classes. Sometimes they don't listen to their bodies. Their bodies tell them to stop or back off from a pose and they keep pushing to get to that perfect performance of the pose no matter what hurts or how labored their breath is. "At what price?", I think. I encourage them to make every pose work for them but they have one thing on their mind and all else is lost from their focus.

Think about what you are doing. At what price? Do you need to change your focus?

Change Old Patterns

When I first started taking horse back riding lessons it was fun because I didn't know anything and everything was new and fascinating and there was no pressure. I didn't know how to groom a horse or ride a horse or talk to a horse. Every lesson was exciting as I tackled a new technique. I still had to think quite a bit and that horse could cover a lot of distance while I was still thinking about how to get a certain result. My instructor had me try different horses and even bareback riding. That could get exciting because in order to stay on the horse I needed to squeeze my legs and that just made her go faster and I had to squeeze my legs harder not to fall off and - - - you got the picture!

But the one horse I rode most often, Libby, and I eventually ended up stuck in a little pattern. She would get away (I would let her get away) with stopping to eat grass and just stopping and not moving no matter what I did and how I tried to kick it up a notch. So I started to change the pattern. I took her across the road, I changed the pattern in the arena, and was finally able to get the results I wanted from her.

In yoga, I change up my classes a little bit every time and focus on different body parts. My students sometimes get into a rut and only work so far in a pose or stay with their favorite poses or the ones they can do and sit out on the ones they think are too hard for them. We need to change up the old patterns and try new poses or try to push a little harder to keep our body from falling into old patterns.

See you on the mat!

This Old One Works Just Fine

I have been using my Ipod for the music in my yoga and cycle classes. It locked up the other day and I tried all the tricks on the Internet to get it to unlock along with asking for help from every Ipod expert I knew (anyone younger than me) but with no luck. As a last resort I took it into the Apple store for a repair. I was told it was outdated and there were no signs of life internally (I could have sworn I heard something whirring inside begging me not to kill it). It would be $199 to get it repaired but for $250 I could replace it with a new Ipod that had four times more capacity. What did I need four times more for when I haven't even used up half of what the old one was capable of and I think I have every song known to man loaded on it - or at least every song I know man wants to listen to? I left determined to give CPR to this old Ipod and get it to work. My husband found the trick - accidentally dropping it kicks it back in gear and it has been working ever since.

Sometimes what we have is just enough. We don't need anything more than what we are currently working with. The marketing and sales people are always trying to sell us something newer and better when what we have with a little patience sometimes works just fine.

So take a little more time with the yoga poses in your class and give yourself time to get to where you want to be with them. What you have works just fine - nothing is wrong with the latest model of you.

Relax and Enjoy the Ride

The other day, I invited my yoga class to move to the wall so that we could work on some inversions. I explained what we were going to do and looked up to see a new member sitting on her mat near me looking just a little dazed. I asked her what was wrong. "I am feeling pretty inadequate" she said. It was her first class and she was trying to do every pose and was struggling with some but I thought she was doing great. We had a talk right there after I got the class started climbing the walls. I reminded her this was a benchmark class for her, that there were people at all levels in the class and she shouldn't compare herself to the gymnasts and the people that had been coming for years. She should relax and just do the best she could with every pose, rest when she got tired and watch when she wanted to. I told her that some things would come easy and some things would take a long time, but it was a practice, not a performance, and to stop putting pressure on herself. She relaxed, stayed for the rest of class and we ended up talking about yoga parties and how her wine business might merge with that idea very nicely. She was excited and looked forward to coming back.

I have reached the place with horse back riding lessons where my instructor is letting me take the horse out on my own. The other day was my second time doing this and I decided to work with the horse up and down the road instead of in the arena. I tried to just relax and enjoy the ride and be proud of myself for just being able to go out on my own. But, I have been trained to do so many things and have been able to get the horse to trot and canter and I wanted to be able to do that during that ride. It wasn't working out so well. I finally thought of the young woman in my yoga class that I had encouraged to just relax, do the best she could, and just enjoy being there practicing yoga with us. I knew I needed to listen to my own advice. I started to relax. I let go of trying to get the horse to move faster, slowed down my breath, let my hips move with her every step and paid attention to the beautiful horses grazing in the pastures around us. I finally relaxed and enjoyed the ride!

How's the Weather? - Don't You Wish You Were Here?

My brother sent me a text from California yesterday bragging about the sunny warm weather. He then asked "How is it there?" knowing very well that we were going to get temperatures below freezing that night. I could almost hear his sinister laugh as he sent the text. I responded that this week it was cold but I should be back in my bathing suit in a week or two - like I was the week before.

I remember a business trip to San Diego in the middle of our Texas winter. I came out of a store that was up on a hill right at sunset. It was so incredibly beautiful I stopped in my tracks in the middle of the parking lot. For safety's sake I found a bench on the sidewalk and sat down to enjoy the incredible view. I was amazed at all of the other people around me continuing to walk in and out of the stores, and get in and out of their cars without stopping. How could they not pause and look at what I was looking at? Maybe they were just so used to it being perfect all the time that it didn't phase them anymore. How sad.

Getting outside today in the chilly 30 degree weather reminded me that I wouldn't really be able to appreciate the 60 degree weather we are likely to get in a week or two if I wasn't freezing today. We must have a few tough times to enjoy the good. It makes it so much sweeter.

The same applies to yoga. How much more incredible it is for the person who has not been able to touch their toes to actually do it one day. For the person who could never do the splits to actually get down all the way to the floor some day (that would be me!). I delight in these "YES!!!" moments for my students and for myself. But remember - the journey itself is also to be enjoyed. So - don't fret the freeze - enjoy this moment and the inevitable return of the sun.

Ever Elusive Quiet Time

An instructor asked me to teach one of her fitness classes. It was at the same club I was heading to for my yoga class, but there was a 45 minute time gap between the end of her class and the start of mine. No class filled the time slot - just an empty room. I agreed to teach for her. I thought I would use the time to catch up on some telephone calls I had been meaning to make.

After the room emptied from the ab class I set up my yoga mat and sat down to make a few calls. I did manage to connect with one person but most of the calls I made ended up with me talking to peoples' voice messages. That was ok. At least they knew I was thinking about them as I left a cheery Hello. I still had a half hour before my yoga class started. I thought - wow - here is a full thirty minutes to just enjoy silence and meditate and I was trying to fill it up with calls and activity. I put the phone away and lay down on my mat in corpse pose to breathe and enjoy the quiet.

I had missed that place where everything stops except the breath. It was a wonderful thirty minutes and I intend to find more. As the new year takes off and so many of us are looking for more I will be looking for less. Less things to fill my time and more time to enjoy the silence. I look forward to the places my thoughts will take me and the ideas that never had a chance to grow because of all the activity around them.

Happy New Year.