James Walsh Yoga

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 One year ago today, I started this journey. My goals, at the time, were to shape my mind and shape my body.  I'll say that, without a doubt, the past year has given me insight into myself and the world around me, and helped me shape my perspective on all of the events that occur in my life; positive or negative. Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (Part II) I am so very proud of myself.  It didn't hit me until after this morning's practice that I've dedicated myself to this blog for a year.  That's important to me, and I'm amazed at the growth and dedication that came from my practice. I went through my full, modified Ashtanga Primary Series   and ended with my beautiful backbends.  Urdhva Dhanurasana, show at right, is how I end my sequence. I'm very  careful when moving into this pose and, when I'm in it, I'm even more  careful to push myself gently; this is a powerful an strenuous pose that I've injured myself ...

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 One year ago tomorrow I started this blog.  In that year, I went to my mat 159 times. Those 158 times on my mat have changed me, helped me cope with any loss, stress, and unhappiness while helping me realize and appreciate my opportunities, achievements, and successes. This past year has been a remarkable one in my life as I've worked at myself more this past year than any time I can remember; it's helped to shape my mind and my body. I'm going to post again tonight after re-reading this blog from the beginning.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 This morning is the first chance I've gotten since arriving back home to hit my mat and practice. I'm still settling back into my routine with work, relationships, physical exercise, and eating properly.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so I'll eat as balanced as I can today. Physically, I'm feeling well with a little bit of GI noise going on.  I ate trashy for a few days and I've paid for it with low energy. I'm going to practice this morning with zero expectations of how the practice "should" be; I'm just going to move through it and let whatever happens, happen. Wednesday, November 22, 2017 (Part II) Control is a good thing.  You need to have control over your brain, your thoughts and emotions, your reactions to things, and your physical body. Too much control can change into stubbornness which prevents you from evolving.  My control over myself is one of my crowning glories, but I let go of that control this ...

Friday, November 17, 2017 As I near the 1 year mark of practicing yoga and blogging about it, I can say that I've changed, improved, reflected, and grown a lot. What hasn't  changed, and has only gotten stronger, is the value and need I have for my family and loved ones. I've been away from all of my loved ones, on a work trip in Vegas, for about a week and a half and I am ready to see them.  I am ready to be around them and give/receive love. On a yoga note, I'm reading more about Chakras this morning and the Third Eye Chakra (between your eyebrows where Hindus wear a Bindi) has sparked my interest. I'm going to meditate and pray and hit my mat.

Thursday, November 16, 2017 I'm writing this in my hotel room getting ready for the last day of work in Vegas. While I've been here, I've practiced every morning (except once), and it has been invaluable to my health and well-being throughout the day.  I'm feeling happy, and motivated, and ready for action. I'll meditate and pray for 5 minutes before hitting my mat.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 I have two more days in my hotel before I get to go home and see my loved ones. I'm proud of myself, and what I've done while here in Las Vegas.  I'm proud of my work, my dedication to my practice, my diet restrictions, and my overall behavior. I'm going to meditate and pray for 5 minutes and hit my mat. Wednesday, November 15, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this nearly done with my day as I didn't get a chance to update the blog after I practiced. Mentally, I was focused this morning and I was able to get some bio-feedback from my body and withdraw from physical strain.  My lost arm strength is almost totally back, and my backbends are strong, and beautiful. I miss my loved ones.  I've been away from all of the special people in my life for over a week now, and I can feel myself wanting to get back into their presence.  Thanksgiving is coming up soon, however, and I'll be enjoying time with all of the special peop...

Tuesday, November 14, 2017, Didn't get the time to practice yesterday morning.  No worries there.  There's always time for yoga. I'm enjoying myself while in Vegas for work and proud of the work I'm doing, and the way I'm focusing on my health in the midst of a busy work schedule. I'm finishing this post in the workroom, already showered after having practiced. I feel wonderful this morning, and the practice that I had helped solidify myself for the day ahead. The focus I have remains the same: Always be truthful Be resilient Be king Be patient Always be cool Physically I felt good on my mat this morning.  Not too much stiffness anywhere (other than the middle of my back from executing strong backbends everymorning).  My mental focus was something that I worked on, as I need every ounce of it while I'm working).  I'm going to share the version of myself that I cultivated this morning with the world. Namaste

Sunday, November 12, 2017 Woke this morning a little  bit behind schedule, and will be hitting my mat momentarily. This practice has is helping me muscle through some of the challenges that are presented to me on a daily basis.  Like yesterday, I'm going to try and shape and refine myself into a person with 5 things: Someone truthful Someone who does not take things personsally Someone resilient Someone calm Someone kind Physically, I feel very good.  My arms, chest, and shoulders have gone back to their normal shape and tone (almost), and my digestion is staying on track despite the healthy-ish salads and rich dinners I'm enjoying. Time to meditate and pray and hit my mat.

Saturday, November 11, 2017 This is my 3rd morning waking up in my Vegas Hotel while I'm traveling for work. I'm feeling excellent this morning, and am eager to go into my day. Much of my mental focus will circulate around work while I'm in Vegas (I fly home in 6 days) but I use the time on my mat to meditate and shape my mentality around a few key characteristics: Always be truthful Do not take things peronsally Stay resilient Stay calm Stay kind Those are great traits to have anyway, but they're especially useful when one is under a larger than normal amount of pressure.  Physically, I feel good this morning.  I've managed to resist all of the unhealthy food options that are all around me 24/7 and have stuck to a steady, and sensible diet; this always makes me feel good regardless of my situation.   My back is definitely talking to me, a bit, today.  The warmup I have on my mat will help shake out that stiffness.  Backbends keep you ...

Friday, November 10, 2017 Still in Vegas for work and woke at my usual 4:45AM to get coffee. I blend my morning's with work so it's challenging to carve out the time I'd like on my mat. Nevertheless, I'm going to be hitting my mat now and working through myself to bring the best version possible out into the world. Friday, November 10, 2017 (Part II) Writing this, already showered and cleaned up, and enjoying my workday. My practice balances, steadies, solidified, and strengthens.  Only good things come from it. I'm going to use what I gained in my practice as I work through my day. Physically, I felt wonderful this morning.  Slight  soreness in my back from yesterday practice but I ended my practice today with 3 strong and magnificent backbends. Namaste

Thursday, November 9, 2017 Due to other responsibilities I have, I haven't hit my mat for the past 2 weeks. Not letting that phase me and I'm going to spend 5 minutes on my mat today, praying and meditating, before I begin my practice. I'm expecting my practice top feel great and to be very rewarding. Thursday, November 9, 2017 I'm traveling for work as I post for the next week and a half and didn't get a chance to update this blog before I headed into my work day. While work is fun and focusing, I'm going to rely on my yoga practice to keep me steady while I'm in the fast paced world of a program's operations. My physical practice was great this morning!  I don't know why, but it never fails that, after I haven't practiced for a while, the first time I hit my mat is always a good one.  My body was cooperative, fluid, and strong with only a little bit of strength loss in my arms and shoulders (I'll quickly regain that). Time to ...

Friday, October 27, 2017 Woke earlier than normal this morning and am on my mat with little to no yoga motivation. I had 5 sequential practices last week and haven't really had a solid one yet this week.  Why don't I quit moping about the whole thing and sweat it out. Friday, October 27, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.  Feeling great and feeling good.  I'm going to take this version of myself out into the world to share.  Namaste

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Haven't practiced this week, as of yet. I'll hit my mat this morning, though I've had a difficult time getting excited about it.

Friday, October 20, 2017 Woke at my usual time of 5:00 AM. I lolly-gagged, drank coffee, watched youtube (Star Wars: The Last Jedi released a trailer and I've only watched it 2,000,000 times but needed to watch it a few more times this morning), and generally allowed myself a luxurious morning of relaxation and peace. I showered before hitting my mat this morning, something that I've heard is traditional, and I'm feeling wonderful about myself, and the practice I'm about to have. Friday, October 20, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. I'll keep it short and sweet; I'm extremely proud of myself, my life, and what I do and how I do it.  This feeling of pride comes to me at times (as it did yesterday), and I temper it by always remembering that I'm a nothing, a nobody, from nowhere.  If I have any success or confidence or anything to be proud of, it came to me through my parents, from Heaven.  I'm fee...

Thursday, October 19, 2017 I did not  write a "Part I" post this morning, as I decided to lolly-gag around until it was past 6:30 AM this morning and I had to either hit the mat, or forego a practice this morning. I hit my mat. This morning's practice was remarkable.  I broke through many physical barriers and obstacles (stiffness, soreness, uncharted areas of joints and muscles that I've been timid to move into, etc.).  I was lit on fire as I moved. My mental focus wasn't all scattered but, when I focused it, I felt like I could shatter rocks with my intensity.  It's a good, and confidant feeling to have this mind-set, and I see why God doles it out in extremely  measured doses (if I was lit and burning and indomitable every morning as I feel this morning, I'd morph into more of a peacock than I already am). My backbend sequence was magnificent this morning, and ended the practice with a feeling of accomplishment and happiness.  I paid special ...

Wednesday, September 18, 2017 For whatever reason, I didn't wake up fully until 5:40 AM this morning.  My alarm went off at its usual 5:00 AM but, I felt like I needed a bit more sleep.  When I feel this way, I allow myself to continue to sleep, usually, as it means that my body needed it for some reason. I'm a bit "behind schedule" now, but that's not the end of the world, and it's not going to keep me from my mat. Wednesday, September 18, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. I read from a Catholic prayer book this morning and the message was simple.  It was to always seek out, and then incorporate the will of God, into your life.  How do we, animals with larger brains, know what the will of God is?  How do we know we're not infusing the will of God with our own will?  These are questions that continually pop into my head.  The advice the book provided was to seek as much time is silence as possible....

Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Woke up feeling good this morning but feeling a little bored with my routine. When I feel that way, I try to remind myself about the good things that are in store for myself today; meals; seeing friends/co-workers, physical exercise, my work, the opportunity to spread love and kindness, etc. Those motivators can help me see through the dull grayness of a routine Tuesday, like today. I'm feeling physically prepared to practice, but I already feel a bit of soreness and stiffness in my calves and ankles from running yesterday.  The best answer for that physical tenderness is a yoga warm up followed by a routine practice. Tuesday, October 17, 2017 (Part II) Routine as it was, I will never  regret hitting my mat in the morning (and neither will you).  It's worth every bit of effort and it's worth every bit of " I could be doing XYZ right now instead".   I started with my normal prayer and meditation (5 minutes) and then went into...

Monday, October 16, 2017 Where does true, healthy pride come from?  I'm referring to the pride that you feel about yourself when you've accomplished something; I am not referring to the pride that asserts itself when someone who you don't like tries to tell you what to do. My healthy pride comes from myself and my accomplishments.  When I'm taking care of myself in a healthy way and taking care of others because I've taken care of myself, I feel pride.  I'm proud of this blog (as I close in on it's 1 year birthday), and I'm proud that I'm up on a Monday morning at 5:00 AM to hit my mat by 6:00 AM. 

Friday, October 13, 2017 The word "galvanizing" means to strengthen something.  I used that word today because, despite a week that felt like it was 24/7, I kept on top of many things that make me feel proud about myself.  Following through on those things, takes that feeling of pride, and it turns to strength.  I didn't want to do many  of the tasks I had this week, but, when I followed through with them, I feel the sense of accomplishment that makes me want to do even more; pride and happiness feed more pride and happiness. I'm going to hit my mat here in a bit, but I've re-incorporated running into my life.  This definitely makes a difference with leg muscles and the soreness and stiffness that comes with new muscle growth. Friday, October 13, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. This was a wonderful practice.  The area where I practice was cold this morning, but I felt warm and wonderful after rolling arou...

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 I woke at my usual time this morning of 5:00 AM and will be hitting my mat soon. While this blog has been nearly 100% about me, and my personal practice, I hope that you'll gain some wisdom and experience here (all with an enormous pinch of salt, as you shouldn't believe anything you read on the interwebz).  In the vein, however, check out a Men's Health article on the benefits of yoga here . I'll be hitting my mat for some Vinyasas shortly. Wednesday, October 11, 2017 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. No fear, I thought last night as I went to bed.  Fear creeps into one's life very easily, and takes many forms.  There is no need to be afraid of anything, ever, not even death.  When one dies, one goes back home to God.  I'm going to maintain that focus today as I move through the challenges and trials of the day.  On another note, I have still been listening to the awesome, tran...