James Walsh Yoga

Friday, February 28, 2020, I woke at my usual 4:25AM this morning and, much like yesterday, I simply didn't see a need to go to my mat. I am  on my mat, however, as I want to rebuild some discipline that's been lost in the past month (due to contracting some unbelievably strong food poisoning/stomach bug). Time to pray and meditate and sweat it out.... Friday, February 28, 2020 (Part II), It's 7:04AM as I type this and I've just come out of Savasana. My brain wasn't cooperating this morning and was seeming to jump around like a disobedient child that couldn't focus.  I'm happy to say that I corralled my thoughts as best I could, and continued with my practice. Time to shower up and enter the world. Namaste

Thursday, February 27, 2020, I woke this morning at 4:25AM and, almost, went immediately back to bed. I don't know what it is about the third day of a series in my practice but I, without explanation, feel dull, pointless, and purposeless.  It's not a "depressed" feeling by any means, but it's a feeling of, " my mat doesn't bring my anything good and there's no point in going to it again as I'm feeling dull"; none of that is true, of course. I believe that, when I began this blog in November of 2016 (yes, really), I was a firm believer in how feelings really shouldn't dictate what you do.  I was, and still am, a believer that far too much emphasis is put onto feelings; a feeling comes and goes without reason, cause, or explanation, and one of the strengths and beauties of discipline is that, regardless of your feelings, discipline puts you back at something and makes you feel good about yourself when you follow through with it. It...

Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Woke at my usual time of 4:25AM this morning.  Having no issues getting back into the routine, I'm happy to say. It's 5:32AM as I type this and I'm going to begin. Wednesday, February 26, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. It's 6:46AM as I type this and, while I didn't go through my full, standard Ashthanga primary series this morning, I was on my mat for an hour+.  I'm going to allow myself these gradual steps as I rebuild my yoga practice, running regiment, and healthy eating habits. Time to shower up and enter the day. Namaste

Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Today is Mardi Gras. I was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri.  For any readers who don't know, St. Louis was founded by French fur-traders back in the day (1700s I believe).  Modern day St. Louis has large German, Italian, Irish, and many other genealogies but, due to the city's French beginnings, we have the 2nd largest Mardi Gras celebration; 2nd only to New Orleans. I did not personally attend the Mardi Gras festivals this past weekend, but I do observe the patterns of Mardi Gras preceding Lent.  I enjoy the thought of a day set aside to party, eat, drink, before entering a period of reflection, abstinence, and self-reflection. As far as my practice is concerned, I will openly say that my mat has brought me closer to God, and closer to my Religion (Roman Catholic).  I'm not sure if other Yogi feel this way but, for me, this time on my mat is a daily "house keeping" for my heart, mind, soul, body,.....the whole schmear. P...

Friday, February 21, 2020, Woke at my usual 4:25AM and I'm on my mat, typing this, at 5:36AM. I am not out of the woods yet with the food poisoning I contracted, but I'm 90% better.  For whatever reason, I began having eye-watering bouts of stomach cramps last night that had be rolling around and groaning in my bed. This blog is not about my upset tummy, so I won't go into greater depth but, suffice to say, I've been to a doctor, and I'm being treated; the finish line is near! My yoga practice yesterday was more of a "litmus test" than anything else.  Today's practice will be similar, in that my body is still upside-down (yoga pun intended) when it comes to strength, flexibility, and muscle memory. Enough chit-chat.  I'll be going through my same, Ashtanga Primary Series this morning, that I did yesterday. Friday, February 21, 2020 (Part II), I began at 5:36AM, and it's now 7:01AM as I type this.  Great practice, time to shower up...

Thursday, February 20, 2020, I'm back. February has been a month of travel and of stomach virus/food poisoning.  I contracted something fairly gnarly three weeks ago on Wednesday, February 5, and I haven't been right for awhile.  Finally went to Urgent Care to get looked at and I'm finally on the mend (after three weeks). In that vein, I have lost quite a bit of physical strength and drive.  It took a lot to get on my mat this morning.  Even though I woke at my usual 4:25AM, my brain says, " what's the point of going to your mat?" .  It's 5:29AM as I type this, and I'm going to begin with my usual warm up, meditation, and prayer.  I have no expectations of myself this morning, and will let my practice flow naturally. Thursday, February 20, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this post-practice update on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. Like most of my post-practice updates, I feel infinitely better having taken the time to invest in myse...

Tuesday, February 11, 2020, It's been nearly one month since I've gone to my mat. Far too long, and I'm eager to rebuild my practice.  It's 5:33AM as I type this, and I got up at my usual 4:30AM for an hour of coffee and contemplation. I've been out of the country for the past week and, while I brought my mat with me, I never unraveled it once.  I'm afraid I contracted some sort of stomach virus/food poisoning on my journey, and could barely make it out of bed. Suffice to say, some time on my mat, getting my digestion back in order, is needed. Tuesday, February 22, 2020 (Part II), I'm on my mat, having just come out of Savasana. It's 6:44AM as I type this, and I went through my warm up, prayer/meditation routine, and then began my Sun Salutes (A and B).  I went through my closing sequence, and let it at that for today. I'm going to return to my mat tomorrow. Namaste

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!!!