New beginnings

I feel like spring is the perfect time to set (or reset) New Year goals and intentions. It feels much easier to eat more fresh vegetables (hello farmers markets) and exercise more when it's warm and green. Even my dog became a serious couch potato this winter and is raring to start running again. 

My point is, don't feel guilty if you veered off from your new year goal. I spent November through mid April glued to my desk listening to nutrition lectures and writing my book. I got what I call 'writers butt', drank coffee, ate tons of chocolate, and the only exercise I got was about 10 minutes of yoga and mediation a day. The 'better than nothing' workout. 

We each go through phases in our life when other priorities such as family, work or even weather get in the way of out fitness goals. It's impossible to stay in balance one hundred percent of the time. 

This is one of the many reasons why I love yoga. The start of each yoga practice is an opportunity to begin again. Now is a perfect time to recommit to a higher purpose. 

Today was special for me. It marked a turning point. Five months ago I began the journey to be a published author. During that time I encountered many obstacles from my keyboard breaking to my basement yoga studio flooding. Minor bumps in the road in the scheme of things. 

But today I got to break in my newly remodeled yoga studio, sign a few books for some yoga friends, read a favorite quote (about obstacles, gratitude, perseverance and faith) to my students from my very own book AND toast with my friends with KeVita (my favorite Kombucha :) - You know that about 80% of your immune system lies in your digestive tract so feed it good bacteria with probiotics! 

It wasn't a big deal. Just eight ladies on a Monday morning moving, stretching and breathing in my little basement studio. But to me, it marked a turning point. 

Writing is a lonely process that requires a lot of disciplined commitment and more stillness than I'm comfortable with (and I'm a big fan of stillness!) It was so refreshing to be surrounded by yoga friends and moving my body instead of sitting alone at my desk, staring at a computer screen. 

So cheers to spring and new beginnings! 

The warrior in me honors the warrior in you. Namaste 

Karen

Www.flexiblewarrior.com

March Madness Gladness

March is that in between month when everyone gets grumpy about the cold and  just wants it to be warm and sunny. We had an especially brutal winter this year so seems like patience is even more thin awaiting the longer, brighter days of spring.

My dad used to say "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all". So I try not to waste my energy complaining about things I can't change like the weather.

In fact, I believe that spending time complaining and worrying are completely counterproductive. One of my favorite quotes is... "worrying is praying for what you don't want." Instead, we should put our focus on what we DO want!

Yet I hear women in the locker rooms complaining about their husbands, kids, and work; I hear people on their phones every where I go worrying and gossiping. I'm certainly prone to it (it is contagious!) Like anything, it takes practice to learn how to turn your worries and complaints into positive affirmations.

In yoga practice, we like to set a positive "Intention" to help reinforce how we want to feel both on and off our yoga mat. I personally like to choose words like 'happy, peaceful, energized'. Often my Intention is simply to 'fill my cup' so I have more positive energy to share with others.

A few days ago in the locker room I was near two women complaining about how 'busy and crazy' their lives are. They spent 20 minutes commiserating about their kids schedules, workouts, and believe it or not, their upcoming spring break vacations. I pretended not to listen. But I thought  about how they could use that 20 minutes of time sitting still and quietly contimplating all that they are grateful for, or to proactively consider changes in their schedule to create more space and joy in their lives. People often say they don't have time to do yoga or to simply sit still and 'do nothing'... But I find doing nothing is actually very productive!

I believe our minds completely register every word we say. So when you say "my life is crazy" over and over again, guess what your life will be? These complaints or worries actually turn into affirmations, and we're reinforcing the very thing we're complaining about! Yikes.

In the spirit of March "madness" I encourage you to get your gladness on! Do you habitually complain or worry about the same thing? I'm guilty of saying "I'm so tired" so my on-going goal is to create a balanced schedule, to do things that energize me, and surround myself with people that energize me (unfortunately I don't get a choice of who I share a locker room with!)

I am glad for March! It's a fun transitional month. For me, pre season yoga for football starts with the Baltimore Ravens while basketball season comes to an end and I get to cheer on the University of Maryland Men's basketball in the playoffs! As you can imagine, YES these athletes totally energize me. Go Terps!