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Good Friday

Friday, April 10, 2020 (Part I),
You'll notice that there was no yoga yesterday morning, as I witnessed a hit and run outside my house around 5:00AM (true story).  I'm sitting on my couch nursing my coffee and BAM!.....

I jump up, peer out through the blinds, and see a car furiously backing up (making cartoon like tire-screeching noises), and then speeding off down the road.  My neighbor's car, which was parked on the street, had been smashed into.

I immediately called 911 and reported it.  After all the hub-bub and fuss was over, it was already 6:30AM, and it was time to get ready for work.

Enough about the melodrama of yesterday morning, however....

Today, I woke up at my usual 4:15AM and, as I type this it's 5:13AM; no hit and runs to report this morning, so I'll begin as I always do, with prayer and meditation before moving into my Asanas.  Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I am feeling calm, peaceful, and balanced this morning.  Time to begin...

Friday, April 10, 2020 (Part II), 
I'm writing this update post-practice. 

It's back to being chilly here in St. Louis (high 50's), which is standard Spring weather.  This did not have any impact on today's practice, that I could see, however; the other times I went to my mat this week, the temperature was much higher, and I noticed a marked improvement in my flexibility.

Some of the un-motivation that I was feeling earlier this week has lifted.  I don't know why, but I felt keenly motivated to hit my mat this morning.  For anyone who wants to learn more about one of the eight branches of yoga, take a snoop through the list of asanas/physical postures here; an excellent beginners video on Sun Salutes/Surya Namaskara can be found here.  My daily routine of asanas is below:

All in all, this physical portion of my practice usually takes me about 50-70 minutes to complete.  While I feel like this physical portion of my practice is important, and brings about a lot of necessary change in my body, I believe that the non-physical side of my practice is infinitely more valuable to my growth and development, both as a person, and as a practitioner of yoga.  

For those who celebrate it, Sunday is Easter, and today is Good Friday.  Spring is a wonderful time to see physical representations of growth occurring; growth must continue in our hearts and in our minds as well, and there is no growth without a bit of discomfort.  

I'll leave you today with a Korean proverb that I keep at my desk; 

"Be strong, be kind, and be beautiful"

Namaste

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