Skip to main content

It Was The Best Of Times -- It Was The Blurst Of Times


Wednesday, September 2, 2020 (Part I), 

The intentional misspelling in the title is an homage to "The Simpsons", but the famous line of, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times", is the opening line from the Charles Dickens novel, "A Tale of Two Cities".  It continues on to say, "it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness".  

As advertised, this blog will speak to the topic of yoga; no political nonsense here.  However, the famous opening line from the novel seems to be very applicable to the year of 2020. 

Where does the "worst of times" come from?.....where does the "age of foolishness" live?....

Much of it can be attributed to the information coming from your phone/computer/television and, predominantly, from our "news".  Ask yourself after you've consumed some "news"...."do I feel better or worse for having consumed that?".  Ask yourself, "did I somehow lose track of time and get sucked into my phone/computer/television when reading or listening to a "news" story?  Why am I so angry and scared after I read or watch the "news"?

If you want to see reality, step outside of your house, and talk to you neighbor; that is reality- not what your television shows you.  If you want to see the real state of humanity, bring the best version of yourself out into the world.  You will, more than likely, be met with similar kindness; that is reality- not what your phone and internet show you.

Peace, and where to find it, is a theme in my practice.  I intentionally eliminate, or minimize, things from my life that destroy peace.  Peace comes from learning to control your mind, and your breath.  Learn to do that, and you control your reality.  A yoga practice expands your mastery of controlling your mind and breath. 

Today is the third day in the rebuild.  Having sustained injury earlier in the summer, each practice has been slow, steady, and methodical.  Time to begin...


Wednesday, August 2, 2020 (Part II), 

As always, Part II is being written on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.

When I'm in a "rebuild", I'll typically focus the physical side of my practice on rebuilding my Surya Namaskar/Sun Salute sequence.  It's a way to get "back into the water" gently and to stay in touch with where you are (and where you aren't) physically. 

Video below is an excellent example of the Ashtanga style Sun Salutes I practice.  

Time to begin the day. 


Namaste




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good Enough

Thursday, December 19, 2024 Feelings and emotions (in general) are things that I advise anyone to be aware of, but to never let them control you (a feeling isn't real and an emotion isn't real either, despite what Pixar and Inside Out, etc. all have to say to us about emotions).   The emotion/feeling of being "good enough" can work for us and against us (some days we feel more than good enough and some days we don't); whether "good enough" is working for us or against us, it should still be observed, but never focused on much.  I woke up not feeling "very good" and or "good enough" and or blah blah blah...... I am happy that I'm on my mat, and beginning my practice as I know I will feel better afterwards.  Time to begin... Part II: As always, I write the initial post before my practice, and I write the Part II immediately after I've concluded my practice.   My perspective and outlook has changed so much from a few hours ago.  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Monday Yoga

Monday, July 24, 2023, After an enjoyable and yoga-less week and weekend, I'm back on my mat. We'll see what today's practice brings.  It's 5:20am, and it's time to begin... Part II: As always, the first update is before I practice, and Part II is written immediately after my practice is complete; usually about ~2 hours later.  I was stiff.  I was sore.  I was unfocused.  I was bloated. No matter how "uninspired" a practice can be, it always refines you into a better version of yourself.  For that, I'm grateful.  Time to enter the world.  Namaste
Post a Comment
Read more

Tuesday Yoga

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 Last day of April 2019. I woke at my usual 4:30AM this morning and had my hour of coffee and contemplation. Physically, I'm feeling good.  Slightly sore and stiff, but feeling overall well. Mentally, I'm feeling fairly well controlled, but I can sense my brain flitting from one thought to the next.  I'm going to focus on controlling my thoughts this morning, and add an extra "omph" to my physical practice to help sweat out any over-active tendencies. Spiritually, I'm feeling well.  I'm secure, solid, and whole.  Time to sweat it out. 
Post a Comment
Read more