James Walsh Yoga

Friday, February 28, 2020, I woke at my usual 4:25AM this morning and, much like yesterday, I simply didn't see a need to go to my mat. I am  on my mat, however, as I want to rebuild some discipline that's been lost in the past month (due to contracting some unbelievably strong food poisoning/stomach bug). Time to pray and meditate and sweat it out.... Friday, February 28, 2020 (Part II), It's 7:04AM as I type this and I've just come out of Savasana. My brain wasn't cooperating this morning and was seeming to jump around like a disobedient child that couldn't focus.  I'm happy to say that I corralled my thoughts as best I could, and continued with my practice. Time to shower up and enter the world. Namaste

Thursday, February 27, 2020, I woke this morning at 4:25AM and, almost, went immediately back to bed. I don't know what it is about the third day of a series in my practice but I, without explanation, feel dull, pointless, and purposeless.  It's not a "depressed" feeling by any means, but it's a feeling of, " my mat doesn't bring my anything good and there's no point in going to it again as I'm feeling dull"; none of that is true, of course. I believe that, when I began this blog in November of 2016 (yes, really), I was a firm believer in how feelings really shouldn't dictate what you do.  I was, and still am, a believer that far too much emphasis is put onto feelings; a feeling comes and goes without reason, cause, or explanation, and one of the strengths and beauties of discipline is that, regardless of your feelings, discipline puts you back at something and makes you feel good about yourself when you follow through with it. It...

Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Woke at my usual time of 4:25AM this morning.  Having no issues getting back into the routine, I'm happy to say. It's 5:32AM as I type this and I'm going to begin. Wednesday, February 26, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. It's 6:46AM as I type this and, while I didn't go through my full, standard Ashthanga primary series this morning, I was on my mat for an hour+.  I'm going to allow myself these gradual steps as I rebuild my yoga practice, running regiment, and healthy eating habits. Time to shower up and enter the day. Namaste

Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Today is Mardi Gras. I was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri.  For any readers who don't know, St. Louis was founded by French fur-traders back in the day (1700s I believe).  Modern day St. Louis has large German, Italian, Irish, and many other genealogies but, due to the city's French beginnings, we have the 2nd largest Mardi Gras celebration; 2nd only to New Orleans. I did not personally attend the Mardi Gras festivals this past weekend, but I do observe the patterns of Mardi Gras preceding Lent.  I enjoy the thought of a day set aside to party, eat, drink, before entering a period of reflection, abstinence, and self-reflection. As far as my practice is concerned, I will openly say that my mat has brought me closer to God, and closer to my Religion (Roman Catholic).  I'm not sure if other Yogi feel this way but, for me, this time on my mat is a daily "house keeping" for my heart, mind, soul, body,.....the whole schmear. P...

Friday, February 21, 2020, Woke at my usual 4:25AM and I'm on my mat, typing this, at 5:36AM. I am not out of the woods yet with the food poisoning I contracted, but I'm 90% better.  For whatever reason, I began having eye-watering bouts of stomach cramps last night that had be rolling around and groaning in my bed. This blog is not about my upset tummy, so I won't go into greater depth but, suffice to say, I've been to a doctor, and I'm being treated; the finish line is near! My yoga practice yesterday was more of a "litmus test" than anything else.  Today's practice will be similar, in that my body is still upside-down (yoga pun intended) when it comes to strength, flexibility, and muscle memory. Enough chit-chat.  I'll be going through my same, Ashtanga Primary Series this morning, that I did yesterday. Friday, February 21, 2020 (Part II), I began at 5:36AM, and it's now 7:01AM as I type this.  Great practice, time to shower up...

Thursday, February 20, 2020, I'm back. February has been a month of travel and of stomach virus/food poisoning.  I contracted something fairly gnarly three weeks ago on Wednesday, February 5, and I haven't been right for awhile.  Finally went to Urgent Care to get looked at and I'm finally on the mend (after three weeks). In that vein, I have lost quite a bit of physical strength and drive.  It took a lot to get on my mat this morning.  Even though I woke at my usual 4:25AM, my brain says, " what's the point of going to your mat?" .  It's 5:29AM as I type this, and I'm going to begin with my usual warm up, meditation, and prayer.  I have no expectations of myself this morning, and will let my practice flow naturally. Thursday, February 20, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this post-practice update on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Like most of my post-practice updates, I feel infinitely better having taken the time to invest in myse...

Tuesday, February 11, 2020, It's been nearly one month since I've gone to my mat. Far too long, and I'm eager to rebuild my practice.  It's 5:33AM as I type this, and I got up at my usual 4:30AM for an hour of coffee and contemplation. I've been out of the country for the past week and, while I brought my mat with me, I never unraveled it once.  I'm afraid I contracted some sort of stomach virus/food poisoning on my journey, and could barely make it out of bed. Suffice to say, some time on my mat, getting my digestion back in order, is needed. Tuesday, February 22, 2020 (Part II), I'm on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. It's 6:44AM as I type this, and I went through my warm up, prayer/meditation routine, and then began my Sun Salutes (A and B).  I went through my closing sequence, and let it at that for today. I'm going to return to my mat tomorrow. Namaste