James Walsh Yoga

Thursday, December 28, 2017 I'm still enjoying schedule-less days and the soothing effect they have on a persons mental well-being.  I typically live by a schedule, so it's interesting for me to abandon this way of living and allow myself time to drift, float, and be structureless. It's 10:30AM as I type this and I'll be showering and hitting my mat here shortly. I'll be focusing on a strong physical practice, but I'll also be dedicating a lot of the intention of today's practice to my mental focus.  Keeping my brain and thoughts quiet as I move, is more of a challenge than any physical asana. Thursday, December 28, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. My practice was focused and strong this morning, and I was able to continue my observance of honing my mind and my focus. Now that I'm out of Savasana, I'm going to try and maintain this focused, un-rushed pace throughout my day. Namaste

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 I'm enjoying a wonderful holiday break where I can go almost completely schedule-less.  Because of that, I'm waking up later than my usual time, and sipping my coffee longer than normal. I will hit my mat in a little bit, but I have to say that, even with just one practice yesterday, I feel better about myself.  Good things happen and bad things happen and, if there's nothing that can be done, then there's no need to stress and worry (waaaaay easier said than done). I'm going to shower before I hit my mat again (a luxury that I afford myself whenever I've got ample time), and shower afterwards (of course).  Bathing/showering before a practice is one of a few interesting yoga tips that I abide by if time allows. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. I put more focus on my mental acuity today.  One of the principles, and ultimate goals of yoga and meditation ...

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 I'm writing this, on my mat, at 10:30 AM. I'm enjoying the schedule-less holiday break that I'll be on until January 2, 2018, and taking this opportunity to return to my mat. I'm going to enter my practice with an open spirit this morning, and push myself in a very mindful way, being careful not to overdo anything.  I'm going to focus on keeping my mind and heart open and offer up any negative thoughts and feelings that arise to God.   I'll be showering before beginning my practice; clean going to you mat, and clean after being on your mat. Tuesday, December 26, 2017 (Part II) Physical - I felt strong and solid in my practice this morning.  I focus on keeping my legs straight in any forward bend (as I have a tendency to soften my knees) and I'm incorporating the same straightness in my arms for any pose where I use them for support (Downward Dog, predominately).  This focus on my arms moves my poses into inte...

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Woke up feeling good and ready to hit my mat. I've been re-dedicating myself to my mat lately and have been determined to bring it with me wherever I go to always have it on hand for a practice. If you're interested in Ashtanga yoga, the style that I practice, there's quite a few instructional videos that can help you practice at home; click here to view one. Today, I'm going to focus on bringing 5 qualities into the world with me: Peace Truth Kindness  Understanding Humor Wednesday, December 20, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. I pushed myself physically this morning and it was just the thing that I needed.  I had the deepest and strongest backbends I've had in months. I'll probably feel some soreness from the strain tomorrow but I feel like I've unlocked good things in myself via my physical strain this morning.  No fear.  No anxiety.  No aggression.  No con...

Monday, December 18, 2017 Had a wonderful weekend (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, was incredible), but what made it most wonderful was getting to spend it around people I loved. I woke at my usual 5:00 AM this morning and enjoyed my usual hour of coffee and "relaxation" before getting on my mat. I'm in a different room of my apartment this morning; one I've never practiced in before.  One of the best things about yoga is that, all you need is your mat, and room to move, and you can practice anywhere. Monday, December 18, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this mid-day through my day instead of on my mat having just come out of Savasana. I was delighted to start my morning with yoga and, while today's practice wasn't anything special, I'm proud I hit my mat and I'm proud that I started my week off right. Namaste

Friday, December 15, 2017 Today will be the 3rd consecutive day of yoga since Wednesday and I'm rededicating myself to a continual practice by bringing my mat with me where ever I go over the weekend so that I've got it whenever I want to practice. I noticed that, Saturday and Sunday are almost never yoga days for me, and, if I skip out 1 day during the week, then the whole thing gets scrapped and I only hit my mat once or twice during a week. I slept in an extra 30 minutes this morning, so I'll be hitting my mat here in just a moment. Feeling good about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Friday, December 15, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. If I could summarize two things that I try and shed from myself, it's fear and anxiety. No, I don't have debilitating fear or debilitating anxiety about anything in my life, but I notice that I'll hone in on a thought and I'll spin and spin about it and...

Thursday, December 14, 2017 What is the purpose of this blog? To give me something to report to daily To help me track and catalog my practice To help spread interest about yoga That's it.  Simple. Information about Ashtanga can be found here but it follows a sequence of movements (that I've modified to suit my own needs and daily mood). Vinyasa A Vinyasa B These are the Vinyasas I refer to and are the formalized "warm-up" to the rest of the practice.  I do a non-formalized warm up on my mat just to get myself slightly heated before I actually start. The sequence I follow next goes as follows: Padanguthsthasana: This is the first forward bend that I execute after my Vinyasa series.  It's a good moment to "releax" and catch my breath after the strain of the warm-up.  This is also a good time to re-measure myself; where am I with forward bending/how deep into this bend and I naturally going/how deep into this bend can I mindfully push m...

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 I haven't hit my mat for awhile now and that's no bueno! I don't beat myself up about it, however.  Yoga is a journey, not a destination (puke). I've been feeling like I need to hit mat lately; both for the physical benefit of it all and for the mental head clear that it offers. Two days ago, I got annihilated by either acute food poisoning or stomach flu.  Ate junk on a road trip as we came back home from a friend's wedding and, after consuming said junk, didn't feel nausea right away but just felt "off" and irritable for  an hour or two.  Got home and sat up abruptly from bed with, I'm sure, that focused look on my face that we all get, and went to the bathroom to vomit.  Afterwards, thinking I was in the clear, I laid back down thinking it was done.  Nope.  Continued to head back to the bathroom every hour or so to vomit up the gatorade/water or medicine that I'd taken 30 minutes prior; I couldn't keep...