James Walsh Yoga

Friday, December 28, 2018 Still enjoying the marvelous holiday break from my normal routine. I still wake around a normal time, but I'm writing this pre-yoga-post at 10:06AM. I already feel the positive effects of my practice.  My mind, and its thoughts are more stable and reliable, I'm physically seeing changes in my body (even after two days), and, even though I'm still eating a fair amount of unhealthy food options, I'm not feeling as "sludgy" as I was earlier this week. I'm going to meditate, pray, and warm up before I begin my practice. Friday, December 28, 2018 (Part II) Three days. Three consecutive practices. Three completely different experiences. The title of today's post is "Rebirth and Regrowth" but I only really felt that way at the beginning/Part I of my post.  As I write this Part II section of today's blog, I feel very different from how I was before.  I feel solid and steady.  I feel like I'm galvani...

Thursday, December 27, 2018 I'm writing this at 11:08AM (nearly an hour after beginning my practice yesterday). Without an alarm to wake me back up to reality, I'm allowing myself to sleep in and recouperate from the all-cheese-all-champagne diet that I've been loving. I'm not terribly sore or stiff this morning, but I know that, when I do begin my Asanas (physical poses), I'll begin to feel the effects of yesterday's strong practice. Physically, I'm feeling great.  I feel strong and accomplished and ready for more self-discovery on my mat. Mentally, I'm feeling far more "cleansed" than I have in a long while; my thoughts are easy, kind, with no negative anxious fears flitting around in my head. I'm going to take a hot shower to prep myself for my mat, and begin. Thursday, December 27, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Another marvelous practice this morning.  To draw a comparis...

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 So much cheese. So much champagne. So little yoga.... I'm writing this post at 9:52AM, way later than I usually ever start a post on a normal work day.  I'm lucky in that I get a wonderful holiday break all the way through to January 2. Yes, like most, I intend to "de-tox" after the new year, but I know that I'll be in much better shape for that de-tox if I go into 2019 with a strong yoga base.  Long story short, I'm going to use the time I have off to rededicate to my practice. Physically, I feel bloated, full, and sore.  I have over-indulged in food and drink for nearly two weeks now, and I feel like it's caught up to me.  I tire easily, I crave more junk food than normal, and my spirits are up-beat, but not very energetic.  I'm going to intentionally move with a good deal of strength on my mat today to sweat things out, but I expect to be blocked in several areas (forward bends, inversions, etc.). Mentally, ...

Tuesday, December 18, 2018 The time difference is my friend again, and I woke, bright and early, at 4:00AM. No coffee (ironically), and not much time before I begin my practice.  At home, I'd usually have at least an hour of coffee before beginning my practice. To replace the awakening affect of coffee, I take a quick shower/rinse to wake myself, and prepare for my practice. Having a wonderful time in Seattle, and looking forward to another practice. Tuesday, December 18, 2018 (Part II) Feeling fantastic after an abbreviated yoga session.  Went through my Sun Salutes, and then through my closing sequence.  Feeling marvelous, and ready for the day. Namaste

Monday, December 17, 2018 In my hotel room in Seattle for work. It's 4:39AM here but my Central Standard Time internal alarm thinks it's 6:49AM and that I've overslept. I naturally woke around 3:30AM (5:30AM CST) and I've showered and am ready to begin my practice.  Even though I'm not in familiar surroundings, I love bringing my mat on the road with me. Monday, December 17, 2018 (Part II) Feeling fantastic after a very long and leisurely paced practice.  While I took my time in poses, and added a few extras from my normal routine, I still had a highly focused physical awareness this morning, and moved with strength and intention. I'm feeling fantastic, and ready to go out into the world. Namaste 

Thursday, December 13, 2018 I'm naturally waking at my normal 4:45AM time now; a sign that my body is re-adjusting itself back to this "normal" wake/sleep cadence.  That also means that I'm getting tired around 7:00PM every night. lol I practiced Monday and Tuesday of this week but had to run early morning errands on Wednesday, and wasn't able to hit the mat. I'm back on it today. I'm going to move easily, but purposefully, and take whatever comes. I'll be focusing on burning through the standard "demons" today; anxiety and fear.  No fear, no anxiety; that will be my mantra on my mat.  Everything onto the pyre, everything offered up to God. Thursday, December 13, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. I am feeling wonderful, and I'm going to take that out into the world to share. My practice was strong, focused, and purposeful, but I do feel like I need to put a bit more variety int...

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, Woke up at my usual 4:45AM this morning feeling good, but with little to zero enthusiasm for yoga. NBD.  I'm on my mat regardless about to warm up.

Monday, December 10, 2018 Good Morning. I haven't hit my mat in a week or two.  That's a longer hiatus than I normally take, but I'm not bugging about it at all. My Macbook started acting up mid-November.  I practiced several times but wasn't able to post about it. For the first time in a while, I woke at my usual 4:45AM.  It's now 5:39AM, and I've been enjoying nearly an hour of quiet time before contemplating hitting my mat. Time to sweat it out.... Monday, December 10, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. Feeling wonderful after my practice and eager to start my day. Physically, my body regressed and tightened (as expected) but usually by day three of a continual practice, I'm back to where I was. Looking forward to bringing this version of myself out into the day. Namaste

Monday, December 3, 2018 I took a wonderful page from the "self-care" book yesterday and decided to not do a single chore, not lift a finger, not organize, or execute a single task, and ask that all things be done for me, and brought to me. It was a necessary, and well deserved day of relaxation. I've practiced a few times since my last post on November 13, but haven't posted to this blog.  My Macbook started acting up a few weeks ago and I only recently got it fixed! This morning, I'm going to roll around on my mat, and focus on a restorative, not strenuous practice. Monday, December 3, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of a Savasana. Lovely, soft, and gentle are three words to describe my practice this mornings; completely different from my normal practice, which is strong, focused, and energized. Time to enter the day. Namaste

Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Laptop still acting up but that should be sorted out after tomorrow. Posting from my phone again and ready to hit my mat. Namaste

Monday, November12, 2018 Laptops acting up, so I’m typing this on my phone. Posts will be short and sweet until I’m back up and running again. Yoga, however, shall continue, as usual.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM for the first time this week.  Had a wonderful weekend, filled with friends and celebrations, and am ready to get things back to normal.  Physically, I am run down.  I've had no consistency with proper eating or taking care of myself physically and have been running around, non-stop for about two weeks; it caught up with me finally.  I'm going to have a gentle practice on my mat this morning, knowing that my sweat will be a good thing.

Friday, November 2, 3018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM again this morning. Wintery/Autumy weather is upon us here in St. Louis.  While it's cold outside, I know the best way to start a day is by warm coffee/tea and an extended warm up on my mat. Yesterday's practice was excellent, and I'm feeling almost no stiffness or soreness from my session on the mat.  Today, I will continue the focus on physical strength, but I'm going to continue to hone in on my Bhanda system, and continue to mentally focus on burning up my flawed, self-serving, will. 

Thursday, November 1, 2018, Woke at my usual 4:45AM but did everything I could before hitting my mat. I'm behind schedule, but it's time to sweat it out.

Thursday, October 25, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM for a relaxing and rejuvenating start to my day. I feel great after my practice yesterday, and I love how an hour on my mat every morning shapes my perspective. Time to sweat it out.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning for the first time all week. For whatever reason, I could not get up at the correct time Monday or Tuesday of this week.  I smashed my internal alarm on Saturday night (#noregrets) and I think I'm paying the price for it, four days later. I've needed this practice so I'm going to sweat it out this morning and focus on purifying, centering, and humbling.

Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning for coffee and contemplation. Feeling good, but wanting to work up some heat this morning to burn it out on my mat. Calf muscles are incredibly sore today.  I blame Tuesday's Tae Kwon Do class, as the effects of my martial arts classes almost always hit me in a delayed way (I.E. not feeling any soreness or muscle stiffness until 2 days later, etc.). Time to sweat it out. Thursday, October 18, 2018 (Part II) For whatever reason, I haven't been able to totally clear my thoughts on my mat, as I practice.  Part of the Eight Limbed Yoga is Dharana ; focusing and concentrating your mind. I caught myself, usually in sitting positions, having remained in the pose for a longer than usual time.  Typically, I hold a pose for five inhales and five exhales before moving to the other side.  I would realize that I'd been holding a position, thinking about something, and not moving out of the posture.  This isn't "bad", but I ty...

Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning for coffee and contemplation. For whatever reason yesterday, I could not get myself out of my bed at 4:45AM, when the alarm went off.  I snoozed until nearly 7:00AM.  I try not to beat myself up when I miss a scheduled practice, but I also want to challenge myself into hitting my mat every weekday, if possible; if my body needed the sleep, I wanted to allow the extra Z's. This morning, I'm feeling excellent, and ready to warm up.  I'm going to focus on centering and burning this morning.

Monday October 15, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning and decided that 5:15AM was a much better start time. Dozed for 30-ish more minutes before getting up. I'm on my mat at my usual time, looking forward to my practice. Monday, October 15, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this nearly done with my day today. After I finished my practice, I was short on time, and had to shower up before leaving for the day. My practice was excellent this morning and, even though I hadn't hit my mat since Friday, almost none of the strength or flexibility I've built up has left. While my energy was lower today, I'm always thankful that I started things out on my mat.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening with my loved ones. Namaste

Friday, October 12, 2018 In about one month's time this blog will be two year's old. That's a good feeling of accomplishment. I'm going to take a page from my own book this morning and internalize the feeling of being on fire and burning through components that are not necessary. Friday, October 12, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this as I traditionally do; on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Today's practice was superb, and I'm thankful for everything I gave and received on my mat (#hippie-dippie). Time to share this version of myself with the world. Namaste