James Walsh Yoga

Thursday, January 16, 2020, Woke at my normal 4:30AM for the first time in a week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week I woke to my 4:30AM alarm and said, " not today", .  I lazily slumped back into dreamland for another hour or two and then woke to my coffee. I won't beat myself up too much for this laziness.  The 4:30AM routine hasn't quite solidified yet for the new year, but that will come with time. It's 5:48AM as I type this, so I'm going to stop yarning on, and begin my warm up, meditation, and prayer routine before beginning my Asanas. Time to sweat it out...... Thursday, January 16, 2020 (Part II), I'm on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. It's 7:19AM as I type this, and I don't have time to write much of a post-practice update (as per usual). Had a marvelous practice and will, hopefully, be at it again tomorrow. Namaste

Thursday, January 9, 2020, On my mat at 5:43AM ready to begin. I'm a bit behind schedule this morning so I'll say that, after a quick jog yesterday evening, I can feel some of that "running stiffness" in my lower back; however, I feel like it hasn't yet "solidified" into the hard and solid material that I was made out of during my first practice of this year.  Moral of the story, stretch it out as often as you can.....the longer you wait, or go between stretches, the more solidified and rigid you become, and the more difficult it'll be to undo it. Time to sweat it out.... Thursday, January 9, 2020 (Part II), Not much time to write my post-practice update but I'm writing this having just come out of Savasana. It's 7:13AM and I need to shower up and enter the day.  I'm delighted with the version of me that I'll be bringing into the world. Namaste

Tuesday, January 7, 2020, Yesterday's practice was an eye-opener when it comes to physical changes that can quickly occur in a body. I was off my mat for a week and, during that week, I engaged in a different physical activity (running) more often.  In that time, my body tightened up considerably.  Practicing felt great, but I was incredibly sore; I need to practice more empathy because, if I hadn't practiced in a week and was in pain, I can't imagine what a person who doesn't have the aid of yoga, might feel. It's 5:36AM, and it's time to begin.... Tuesday, January 7, 2020 (Part II), Writing this post-practice update with no time to spare. Great practice. Feeling great. Namaste

Monday, January 6, 2020, First post of 2020!! This blog has now, officially, spanned 4 calendar years.  That's something to be proud of. I've been running more than any other form of physical activity lately and I feel as though I'll have an interesting little session on my mat this morning. It's 5:32AM CT as I type this and, even while sitting on my mat, I can feel my back, shoulders and legs all "talking" to me.  I know just what's needed to get things warmed up. Time to sweat it out.... Monday, January 6, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Feeling great.  Time to shower up and enter the world. Namaste

Friday, December 27, 2019, Today is another marvelous day off from routine and my standard daily duties. I woke at the unbelievably late hour of 8:53AM this morning; that's more than 4 hours past my usual wake time of 4:25AM. Zero guilt.  Zero remorse and feeling marvelous as I allow myself to have a very natural flow to my mornings enjoying this break. I'll be back in the normal swing of things on Thursday, January 2, 2020 but, until then, I'm going to begin dedicating myself to my mat. The last time I hit my mat was a week and a day ago; that's plenty of time to loose flexibility and other attributes that come from a steady practice. Again, not remorse and no guilt as I've thoroughly enjoyed the lazy pace of the Christmas season. Physically, I'm soft and squishy (on account of the holiday foods that love me so much); I feel a bit of soreness in my lower back, but nothing that I can't fix in this morning's practice. Mentally, I'm feel...

Wednesday, December 18, 2019, I’m writing this on my mat at 6:05AM. I woke at my usual 4:25AM, but had an extended “coffee and contemplation” session on the couch before preparing for my practice. Time to sweat it out.

Woke at my usual 4:25AM. On my mat a bit later than usual, at 5:51AM. Time to begin....

Wednesday, December 11, 2019, Woke at my usual 4:25AM for my 5:30AM practice. I’ve been reincorporating running and Tae Kwon Do into my fitness regime and, while it’s a great way to bring variety, the additional physical strain has me sleeping a little bit more than usual and had me moving a little more gingerly due to the new soreness that a workout brings. Today I intend to move through my practice as normal and be aware of my mind and body. Time to sweat it out.

Thursday, December 5, 2019, Woke at my usual 4:25AM and on my mat at 5:38AM. Time to sweat it out.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019, No time to pre-post. Time to sweat.

Thursday, November 28, 2019, I woke up this morning much later than usual as it’s Thanksgiving Day here in the United States! For the past few weeks, I’ve been overindulging in junk food, haven’t really been cooking anything nutritious or wholesome, and for the past few nights, I've had at least a little bit of red wine every night before bed. The whole “moderation” story comes to mind as I type this because, too much indulging really does spoil you; in more ways than one. I’ve noticed that I’m surly after I’ve eaten two sleeves of crackers and cheese; I’m disgusted and disappointed in myself when I eat a whole pizza and mindlessly scroll through Netflix; I feel great momentarily, but afterwards I’m blue, disappointed and irritable. Some health neglect at certain times of year is common-place, and natural, and I’m not beating myself up , but recognizing the pattern of high/low I make when I overindulge without any healthy activities to counteract the indulgence. I’m on my ...

Tuesday, November 26, 2019, Woke at my usual 4:25AM this morning, but spent time with my lovely partner, relaxing, chatting, and catching up on the couch. It’s 6:28AM as I type this, while sitting on my mat, but I want to at least enter my day having done prayers and meditation as breathing.

Thursday, November 21, 2019, Typing this post in my phone, yet again. I’m the King of procrastination sometimes, and I haven’t gotten a chance to bring my MacBook into the Apple store for a diagnosis. Ah well..... This morning, I’m feeling in need of the peace and balance that my practice brings me. I’ll try to remember to do a post-practice update today!!!

Tuesday, November 19,2019 Feeling ready for my mat to work it’s magic this morning. For some reason, my stomach, digestive tract have been dancing a jig since Saturday. I’ve narrowed the culprits down to a few suspects, but I’m still dealing with some of the residual issues. I feel the need to unwind myself this morning, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Thursday, November 14, 2019, More yoga on a phone. It’s 5:41AM as I type this, and I’m ready to begin my practice.

Tuesday, November 11, 2019, Yoga on a phone. I’ve been waking at my usual 4:30AM for the past week, but I’ve been taking the hour for coffee and then heading into work to get an early start on my days. It’s time to get back into my yoga routine.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019, My first post of November!! My MacBook is still acting up, so I’m typing this post from my phone. I’ve had a marvelous week but I’m going to focus on my usuals....... 1. Eliminating fears/anxieties,worries 2. Breathing 3. Visualizing a burning/fire inside that I put everything onto Time to sweat it out.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019, Writing this on my iPhone as my MacBook is actin a fool this morning! #apple4lyfe. I feel wonderful, and rested and balanced this week, so I’ve had no problems getting up at my usual 4:25am and starting my practice at 5:30am. Speaking of which, it’s 5:36am as I type this, so let’s begin...

Tuesday, October 29, 2019, I'm putting myself back into my routine of 4:25AM wake up call.  It's easy to get back into (I tell myself this morning). It's 5:25AM as I type this, and I've had a lovely hour to myself this morning with coffee and contemplation #strangerthings I'm going to challenge myself to hit my mat each morning this week; I need to sweat out some of the weekend still. Tuesday, October 29, 2019 (Part II), I'm off my mat, already showered, and ready for my day. I want this blog to be a resource to those looking to deepen their practice, but I may need to carve out more time in the mornings if I'm going to attempt that; I always seem to run out of time, and can't provide a proper, post-practice update. Today's practice was strong, controlled, and marvelous; backbends are the cure-all for every ailment; mental and physical. Namaste

Monday, October 28, 2019, Starting the week off right, on my mat. It's 5:39AM as I type this, and I'm going to keep this pre-practice post brief to get as much time into my practice as possible. Time to sweat it out. Monday, October 28, 2019 (Part II), I'm writing this on my mat having just come out of Savasana. No time for much of an update, but this morning's practice was strong, and focused; I ended it with exceptional backbends.  I'm feeling fit and ready for action! Namaste