James Walsh Yoga

Monday, May 14, 2018 Today is my birthday.  I am 33 years old.  I'm in Las Vegas for work and, like always, I've got my yoga mat with me.  I've got my hotel room's heat cranked, and a coffee next to me while I wake and enjoy the early morning to myself.  Last time I practiced was Thursday of last week.  I'm looking forward to waking up the sleeping energy that I built last week. Monday, May 14, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. Sleeping energy indeed. My practice was focused, strong, and controlled this morning.  Backbends were the deepest I've had in a long while.  Arms are almost 100% straightened with shoulders hovering over my palms; pretty soon, I should be able to walk over. Time to shower and start my exciting day of work! Namaste

Thursday, May 10, 2018 I was still feeling a little behind on my sleep yesterday, even after my practice and my day of work. I truly believe that good sleep is better then any medication when you're feeling run down. Because of that, I crawled into bed at 7:00PM last night, flipped on cooking shows on Netflix, and was out by 7:30PM. I'm feeling rested and balanced this morning, even before hitting my mat.  I'm looking forward to my practice. The only physical block I'm feeling at the moment is my right hip.  I'm nearly 33 years old, and I've noticed that, when I sit at my desk all day (as many of us do), my lower back and hip start to feel "funky" after a while.  Forward bending is my remedy for this.  Forward bends have never been my strong suit, but I'm going to focus on them in this morning's practice. Thursday, May 10, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this Part II post at the end of the day. For some reason my energy was great t...

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 I don't know why I was such a zombie yesterday but I'm definitely glad that I hit my mat in the morning. I think my grogginess was leftover fatigue from the weekend when my internal clock gets re-wired from Friday-Sunday.  Trying to wake up on Monday makes for a difficult transition sometimes. Yesterdays practice was still strong, despite the grogginess. Looking forward to prayers and meditation before beginning my practice. Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having come out of Savasana about 10 minutes ago.  My "Part II" posts are always probably a bit more gooey than my Part I post, as my endorphins are running from the practice. This morning's practice wasn't too dissimilar from yesterday as I fell a little grogged out still and a little depleted.  The Asanas were strong and intentional, and I'm pleased with my efforts, as always. Time to shower up and enter the day. Namaste

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 For the first time this week, I woke at my usual 4:45AM.  I could not get out of bed yesterday for the life of me.  Didn't get up until an appallingly late 6:45AM; way to late to hit the mat. Looking forward to what my mat will do for me this morning. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 (Part II) Body and brain weren't too cooperative this morning, but that's happened to me before, and I just keep moving. My brain was all over the place, while my body was literally trying to shut my eyes while I prayed and meditated; I'm still a little sleep deprived from the weekend. Feeling accomplished and happy that I practiced, and ready to go out into the world. Namaste

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning for coffee and contemplation. For whatever reason, when my alarm went off yesterday morning I couldn't do it.  My brain refused to ignite and, whatever was needed to shamble across the room, snooze my alarm, and shamble back to bed, was all that clicked on mentally. Today is going to be such a good day. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 (Part II) I write this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. I titled today's post after  I practiced, as I'm starting to clearly see physical changes. Mostly, these changes occur in my back, arms, and legs.  Not all of the changes are related to flexibility; many of the changes my practice is bringing me are strength related.  The purpose of yoga isn't to "get ripped" or look a certain way, but I love how my practice makes me look and feel.  The strength in my back is currently the most noticeable change.  My backbends are deeper every morning, and my body ...