James Walsh Yoga

Thursday, September 29, 2022, Moods, which are nothing more than feelings, come and go with the wind.  Aware as I try to be of my feelings/emotions, etc. they can still creep in, and creep up, on oneself, and make one think and feel things that are not real.  Emotions/moods/feelings, etc. are not reality.  If they are not reality, should they be given much time or attention?  No, they should not.....emotions/moods/feelings will change with your blood-sugar levels, and level of indigestion (which I think is what has me in my current mood).   So......if one is in a mood, what does one do?  One ignores it and continue's with one's routine.  Time to begin today's practice.  Part II: It's 6:57am as I type this, and I'm on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.  My mood has improved.  Time to enter the world. 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022, In the age we live in, confusion is rampant. Almost all of this confusion comes from our electronic devices/screens (typically, our phones).  Think of it.....you generally don't get confused when you speak to your neighbor, friend, colleague, family, etc. in a live conversation. The confusion, which comes from our phones and other screens, emanates, almost 100%, from the entertainment industry (News, Social Media, Hollywood, etc.).  Without sounding gloomy, I can say that the world will, more than likely, not be changing its tune and will, more than likely, not start to become less confusing tomorrow.  One has to learn to live in it, and alongside it.   Part II: Post practice, on my mat as always, having just come out of Savasana.  No time to delay. Time to enter the world.  Namaste

Monday, September 26, 2022, It's 5:24, and it's time to begin... Part II: It's 7:09 as I type this.  As always, I'm on my mat still, having just come out of Corpse Pose/Savasana. No time to dilly-dally.  It's time to enter the day.  Namaste

Wednesday, September 21, 2022, The title of today's post is not my own, but it's a saying that simply means that, if you can start something with energy/enthusiasm, and the appropriate attitude, the remainder of that endeavor will, more than likely, continue on that path.  It's 5:23am as I type this, so I'm a tad behind skedge, but I notice such a marked difference in my days when I don't start my morning off on my mat, in comparison to the days when I do.  Without time spent on my mat, I feel hurried, rushed, frantic, un-grounded, energetic, but in no control over the energy.......days that begin on my mat (and most days do), I feel in control of myself, in harmony with the world around me, impervious to conflict/pain/struggle, etc. Reason number 3,000,000 for starting your day with a practice.  Enough chit chat...it's time to begin...  Part II: As always, I type the first update before practicing, and the second update when my practice is complete.  It's 7...

Friday, September 16, 2022, My normal routine is to wake up at 4:15am, shuffle out to the kitchen (where my hot coffee has just finished brewing itself), enjoy 45-60 minutes of relaxation with my hot drink, and then, at 5:00am-5:15am, come down to the yoga room. I've "felt" that some things are shuffling around in life; it's hard to pinpoint what, and where, and even what those things are, and if my "feeling" is even true or not.   When life shuffles (as it always will), a routine can keep one grounded and stable; I think I've been too soft with my routines for the past few months, and am actively working on rebuilding routine. It's 5:24am as I type this, and it's time to begin.   Part II: Post practice on my mat, as always.  It's 7:19am as I type this, so I can't dilly-dally, but I went through my full sequence today ending with my full backbending series.  I've said it many times but backbending makes one age in reverse.  Backbendin...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 What can I do?  More often said as, " what can I do about it?".   The answer, very often, is "nothing"; one can do nothing about almost 100% of the "events" that one sees occurring on the "news".  You can try to live your life, in your corner, with as peaceful a countenance as possible. How does one obtain peace?  I've learned a few methods that can help: Abandoning as much thought and concern for  Avoid "news" in all of its forms (blog updates, traditional television "news", "news" from one's phone, etc.   Learning that emotions are not "real" and are transitory; they will change with the wind, one's blood sugar, etc.......therefore, recognize one's emotions, but don't allow them to "stick around" and be dwelled on. Time to begin today's practice.... Part II: Post practice, as always, on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.  Time to enter...

Friday, September 9, 2022, George Lucas, creator of ' Star Wars', fashioned much of the tenants of the imaginary "Jedi Order" after the non-imaginary tenants of Shogun/Samurai Knights in Feudal Japan. I am not an expert in anything to do with Feudal Japan but, if what one reads on the internet is true (and why wouldn't it be?), a complete abandonment of emotion was central to a Knight's being; indifference to pain was another.   Yoga is a path to God; but the indifference to emotion and indifference to pain can help once rise above the physical evolved-chimp-body that we're all encased in.  Yoda's quote regarding fear is true....fear is an emotion....emotions lead to more emotions.....(both good and bad), and these can lead to suffering.  Be aware, and in control of your emotions, as much as possible.  Enough chit-chat....it's 5:20am, and it's time to begin... Part II: As always, Part I is written before my practice, and Part II is written post...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022, It's 5:15am as I type this.  As usual, I got up at 4:15am this morning for coffee and contemplation.   I'm going to try and wrap up my practices at 6:45am, no matter what the circumstances.  In that vein, it's time to begin... Part II: As always, I write my introduction before I practice, and my "Part II" after I've completed my practice.  Today's practice was good, as always (even when a practice is "bad" or "not what one had hoped for", a practice is always a good thing).  I'm going to keep moving as it's time to enter the world.  Namaste