James Walsh Yoga

Friday, December 28, 2018 Still enjoying the marvelous holiday break from my normal routine. I still wake around a normal time, but I'm writing this pre-yoga-post at 10:06AM. I already feel the positive effects of my practice.  My mind, and its thoughts are more stable and reliable, I'm physically seeing changes in my body (even after two days), and, even though I'm still eating a fair amount of unhealthy food options, I'm not feeling as "sludgy" as I was earlier this week. I'm going to meditate, pray, and warm up before I begin my practice. Friday, December 28, 2018 (Part II) Three days. Three consecutive practices. Three completely different experiences. The title of today's post is "Rebirth and Regrowth" but I only really felt that way at the beginning/Part I of my post.  As I write this Part II section of today's blog, I feel very different from how I was before.  I feel solid and steady.  I feel like I'm galvani...

Thursday, December 27, 2018 I'm writing this at 11:08AM (nearly an hour after beginning my practice yesterday). Without an alarm to wake me back up to reality, I'm allowing myself to sleep in and recouperate from the all-cheese-all-champagne diet that I've been loving. I'm not terribly sore or stiff this morning, but I know that, when I do begin my Asanas (physical poses), I'll begin to feel the effects of yesterday's strong practice. Physically, I'm feeling great.  I feel strong and accomplished and ready for more self-discovery on my mat. Mentally, I'm feeling far more "cleansed" than I have in a long while; my thoughts are easy, kind, with no negative anxious fears flitting around in my head. I'm going to take a hot shower to prep myself for my mat, and begin. Thursday, December 27, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Another marvelous practice this morning.  To draw a comparis...

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 So much cheese. So much champagne. So little yoga.... I'm writing this post at 9:52AM, way later than I usually ever start a post on a normal work day.  I'm lucky in that I get a wonderful holiday break all the way through to January 2. Yes, like most, I intend to "de-tox" after the new year, but I know that I'll be in much better shape for that de-tox if I go into 2019 with a strong yoga base.  Long story short, I'm going to use the time I have off to rededicate to my practice. Physically, I feel bloated, full, and sore.  I have over-indulged in food and drink for nearly two weeks now, and I feel like it's caught up to me.  I tire easily, I crave more junk food than normal, and my spirits are up-beat, but not very energetic.  I'm going to intentionally move with a good deal of strength on my mat today to sweat things out, but I expect to be blocked in several areas (forward bends, inversions, etc.). Mentally, ...

Tuesday, December 18, 2018 The time difference is my friend again, and I woke, bright and early, at 4:00AM. No coffee (ironically), and not much time before I begin my practice.  At home, I'd usually have at least an hour of coffee before beginning my practice. To replace the awakening affect of coffee, I take a quick shower/rinse to wake myself, and prepare for my practice. Having a wonderful time in Seattle, and looking forward to another practice. Tuesday, December 18, 2018 (Part II) Feeling fantastic after an abbreviated yoga session.  Went through my Sun Salutes, and then through my closing sequence.  Feeling marvelous, and ready for the day. Namaste

Monday, December 17, 2018 In my hotel room in Seattle for work. It's 4:39AM here but my Central Standard Time internal alarm thinks it's 6:49AM and that I've overslept. I naturally woke around 3:30AM (5:30AM CST) and I've showered and am ready to begin my practice.  Even though I'm not in familiar surroundings, I love bringing my mat on the road with me. Monday, December 17, 2018 (Part II) Feeling fantastic after a very long and leisurely paced practice.  While I took my time in poses, and added a few extras from my normal routine, I still had a highly focused physical awareness this morning, and moved with strength and intention. I'm feeling fantastic, and ready to go out into the world. Namaste 

Thursday, December 13, 2018 I'm naturally waking at my normal 4:45AM time now; a sign that my body is re-adjusting itself back to this "normal" wake/sleep cadence.  That also means that I'm getting tired around 7:00PM every night. lol I practiced Monday and Tuesday of this week but had to run early morning errands on Wednesday, and wasn't able to hit the mat. I'm back on it today. I'm going to move easily, but purposefully, and take whatever comes. I'll be focusing on burning through the standard "demons" today; anxiety and fear.  No fear, no anxiety; that will be my mantra on my mat.  Everything onto the pyre, everything offered up to God. Thursday, December 13, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. I am feeling wonderful, and I'm going to take that out into the world to share. My practice was strong, focused, and purposeful, but I do feel like I need to put a bit more variety int...

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, Woke up at my usual 4:45AM this morning feeling good, but with little to zero enthusiasm for yoga. NBD.  I'm on my mat regardless about to warm up.

Monday, December 10, 2018 Good Morning. I haven't hit my mat in a week or two.  That's a longer hiatus than I normally take, but I'm not bugging about it at all. My Macbook started acting up mid-November.  I practiced several times but wasn't able to post about it. For the first time in a while, I woke at my usual 4:45AM.  It's now 5:39AM, and I've been enjoying nearly an hour of quiet time before contemplating hitting my mat. Time to sweat it out.... Monday, December 10, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. Feeling wonderful after my practice and eager to start my day. Physically, my body regressed and tightened (as expected) but usually by day three of a continual practice, I'm back to where I was. Looking forward to bringing this version of myself out into the day. Namaste

Monday, December 3, 2018 I took a wonderful page from the "self-care" book yesterday and decided to not do a single chore, not lift a finger, not organize, or execute a single task, and ask that all things be done for me, and brought to me. It was a necessary, and well deserved day of relaxation. I've practiced a few times since my last post on November 13, but haven't posted to this blog.  My Macbook started acting up a few weeks ago and I only recently got it fixed! This morning, I'm going to roll around on my mat, and focus on a restorative, not strenuous practice. Monday, December 3, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of a Savasana. Lovely, soft, and gentle are three words to describe my practice this mornings; completely different from my normal practice, which is strong, focused, and energized. Time to enter the day. Namaste