James Walsh Yoga

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 (Part I), Alternate Nostril Breathing- A Pranayama Technique When we think of "yoga", we typically think of physical postures.  We think of a zen'd out room somewhere where groups of people come to work out their bodies. The physical side of yoga is important, and is a vital element to a complete yoga practice.  However, physical poses, formally called Asanas , are only one limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga . Pranayama is another limb, of the "yoga tree" and, before I begin my physical poses/Asanas, I dedicate the initial 10-20 minutes on my mat to meditation, prayers, and Pranayama . A person could study each limb of yoga through their lifetime, and continually find new ways to interpret their meaning, and their effects but, as today's update states, Pranayama, is a " fancy word for fancy breathing".  An easier way to think of it is that it simply means controlling your breath.  I've learned that, when you co...

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (Part I) Another lovely morning with the slightly new routine. My normal yoga routine always had me waking up at 4:15AM (for an hour of coffee and contemplation), and then beginning my practice at 5:15AM-5:30AM.  This typically had me finished by 7:00AM. My new routine has me a bit less of an "early bird" and gets me on my mat later in the morning. While I went through a full practice yesterday, and put quite a bit of focus and energy into my closing backbend sequence, I do not feel any soreness or stiffness this morning.  It'll be a balmy 80 degrees in St. Louis today (that's 26 degrees Celsius), and I believe the heat helps muscles and bodies recover from physical strain......that's what I think but, if you've read this blog with any frequency, you'll know that I'm a terrible know it all. Enough chit-chat, time to sweat it out.... Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (Part II),  I'm writing this post-practice update having ...

Monday, April 27, 2020 (Part I), For the past week, I've allowed myself to "slip" into a sort of mini-vacation. I put quotes around the "slip" because there was nothing "slippery" about it; I was fully aware that I was putting my attention to other things, and creating a, somewhat, new routine with my mornings, and days.  That new routine didn't incorporate my yoga practice.  Why?...  Simply because I allowed my attention, my brain, my thoughts, etc. to float around a little bit in the mornings, and I allowed more than my normal "structureless" time in the mornings until it seemed futile to unfold my mat, and go though my practice. How did I feel in this 10 day yoga-hiatus?... Honestly, I didn't feel too bad, but I did feel a bit of shame that I wasn't starting my mornings with my normal routine. I'm back on my mat this morning, at a reasonable hour, and I'm committing myself to practice each morning of this week....

Friday, April 17, 2020 (Part I),  I woke at my usual 4:15AM this morning but, given that I have a day off from my normal routine, I slept in until 6:00AM, and then lounged casually sipping coffee and entertaining myself with Hulu, my phone, and even a neglected chore or two; such are the effects of caffeine..... Because this morning is atypical, and I have more time on my hands, and I showered before going to my mat. To the left, you'll see the first two branches of the eight limb yoga system; Yama , and Niyama , are shown at left.  As you read through them, you'll probably identify with much of these principles (as they're found in many religions), but today I began thinking about the Niyama of Saucha-purity of mind, body, and spirit.  There are conflicting theories on the practice of bathing/showering before your practice but, for me, I've found a shower/bath to be a great "wake up" if you're not feeling particularly motivated.  I wouldn't say...

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 (Part I), For whatever reason, I woke up Monday morning and Tuesday morning of this week, and hit the snooze button on my alarm.... Thankfully, that's pretty uncommon for me, as I'll get into a yoga-groove and begin to feel "odd" if I don't start my day on my mat.  While I did not begin on my mat Monday or Tuesday of this week, I did begin my mornings with loved ones, coffee, and light/easy conversations on the couch in our fuzzy robes, which is always a lovely way to begin a day; even a work-day. I have not gone through a practice in four days so I'm not quite sure what to expect from myself this morning.  It's 5:19AM as I type this, and it's time to begin.... Wednesday, April 15, 2020 (Part II), As the title of today's post states, today was an average practice......and that's ok. For whatever reason, I did not have great control over my mind today; thoughts were flitting around in my head, and I was going ...

Friday, April 10, 2020 (Part I), You'll notice that there was no yoga yesterday morning, as I witnessed a hit and run outside my house around 5:00AM (true story).  I'm sitting on my couch nursing my coffee and BAM!..... I jump up, peer out through the blinds, and see a car furiously backing up (making cartoon like tire-screeching noises), and then speeding off down the road.  My neighbor's car, which was parked on the street, had been smashed into. I immediately called 911 and reported it.  After all the hub-bub and fuss was over, it was already 6:30AM, and it was time to get ready for work. Enough about the melodrama of yesterday morning, however.... Today, I woke up at my usual 4:15AM and, as I type this it's 5:13AM; no hit and runs to report this morning, so I'll begin as I always do, with prayer and meditation before moving into my Asanas.  Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I am feeling calm, peaceful, and balanced this morning.  Time to begi...

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 (Part I), Woke up this morning at the usual 4:15AM.  After my standard 45-ish minutes of coffee and contemplation, I unravel my mat, change into my yoga gear, and get set up to practice. It's 5:25AM as I type this, so I'm a bit behind schedule.  It's another warm day today so, like yesterday, I expect today's practice to be smooth, physically, with my body cooperating most of the time (we'll see what happens).  Enough chit-chat....time to begin.... Wednesday, April 8, 2020 (Part II),  I don't know why, but I have been completely lackluster, and unmotivated to practice this week.  I did go through an exceptionally challenging Ashtanga Primary Series this morning but, for some reason, my head and heart were having none of it.  Naturally, I'm writing this Part II update as I always do; after I've completed my practice, reflecting on the version of myself that I was before I began, and after I finished. I don't know ...

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 (Part I),  Why do I practice? Why do I wake at 4:15AM every morning and spend nearly two hours in my office, on a cotton mat, exercising my mind with prayers and meditation, and my body with poses/Asanas and breathing techniques/Pranayama ? I believe my practice makes me a better person.  I often end an update with " happy to bring this version of myself out into the world to share".  A better "version"of myself, is a good way to describe it. Like anything else, whether I realize it or not, I believe that my body, mind, heart, soul,....the whole thing, become accustomed to the routine of yoga and, eventually, crave it.  Starting a day without it would feel "off". Today is one of the first warm mornings this Spring; a lovely 70 degrees in my home, currently.  I've learned that, even a few degrees in temperature, can have a big effect on my practice.  In the winter, I usually toss on two t-shirts and  a hoodie before go...

Monday, April 6, 2020 (Part I),  I try to keep this website, and any subsequent writings, to be topical only to the subject of yoga.  Because of that aim, you won't find much, if anything, other than my thoughts/reflections on my practice, and study of yoga; nothing about current news (of which there's always going to be something zesty cooked up by the news that's either designed to frighten us, or anger us), and nothing about the current state of the world. In that vein, I will continue to write about what a reader comes here for, yoga. I woke at my usual 4:15AM today and hit the snooze button for 15 more minutes.  That's pretty uncommon.  I eventually padded out into the kitchen at 4:30AM for my coffee....after an hour of coffee and contemplation, I went to my mat. I went to my mat, unmotivated, uninspired, and bored with the thought and prospect of going through my yoga practice. #bratty Today, and on any day where I feel a little "pointless", I...

Thursday, April 2, 2020 (Part I), Woke at my usual 4:15AM this morning.  For whatever reason, it was difficult to get up today.  Luckily for me, I know enough about myself, and keep my alarm/phone across the room in my robe pocket so I have to physically get up out of bed and cross the room to turn it off.  At that point, I groggily shamble to the kitchen to enjoy a lovely cup of coffee that's ready, hot, and waiting. To compensate for yesterday's lolli-gagging, I'm on my mat a bit earlier than usual, at 5:07AM. Physically, I'm feeling well today.  I didn't have much enthusiasm yesterday, and that's ok; going through an abbreviated practice is better than no practice. Ashtanga/Ashthanga yoga follows an " 8 Limb Path "; check out the fundamentals of it here .  Each "branch" of the tree could be studied for a lifetime, and one would still only scratch the surface of it. I most frequently talk about Asanas/physical postures that most a...

Wednesday, April 1, 2020,  I lolli-gagged this morning and it's now 5:31AM as I type this. Time to begin. Wednesday, April 1, 2020 (Part II),  As stated in the first portion of today's blog update, I lolli-gagged a little bit this morning.  I went through an abbreviated physical practice, as I when I'm running short on time, though good yoga discipline is to start, and end, at roughly the same time every day.  My abbreviated practice is detailed below: Prayers, meditations, breathing exercises/pranayama while seated on my mat (this usually takes about 15/20 minutes). Non-Yoga warm up which include: Curling into a ball and rolling back and forth, along my spine, while on my mat.  Try this at home....it's an awesome way to work out kinks Child's Pose- this helps move along things in my GI tract, and helps prepare me for the controlled breath challenges that will come from my practice Forward bends and leg stretches.  Informal versions of certa...

Tuesday, March 31, 2020,  Yesterday was Monday.  It wasn't a great day, but it certainly wasn't a bad day.  Monday's, and any day, can be just that.....a Monday.....a day.  I came to my mat with little enthusiasm, and then ended my day with little enthusiasm, and that's ok.  Following through with a thing is a good exercise in giving your best when you don't feel like it. Today is Tuesday, however, and I woke feeling marvelous.  I woke today with more drive and focus.  It's 5:15AM as I type this, and I'm going to begin a little earlier, as I intend to go through my full sequence of Asanas.   I'm going to spend a bit more time in meditation and prayer before I begin. Time to sweat it out.... Tuesday, March 31, 2020 (Part II),  I spent extra time in prayer and meditation this morning and I feel like that makes a difference in my practice. I reflected while I was moving through my Asanas today and realized that, while I've expanded ...

Monday, March 30, 2020 After no physical practice/Asanas on Friday, and no yoga over the weekend, I notice that it's difficult to stay motivated and dedicated to my practice at times.  Additionally, I ran a solo-10K this weekend (the St. Louis GO! Marathon/Half-Marthon/10K was cancelled, like most public events), and the additional tenderness in my feet, legs, etc. definitely told me not to get on my mat. Monday blues/malaise, essentially.....a "negative mind"... When I'm on my mat, feeling like it's pointless, and that the day ahead is pointless, and that the efforts I'll expend to make things better are pointless, I can go back to the foundations of my life.  First, what do I live for?  I live for God.  That is my attempted mantra every day. It is not for me/you to understand the purpose of anything.  Pulling yourself out of an equation is very liberating in that you're no longer attached to the result. It's 5:27AM as I type this, and it...

Friday, March 27, 2020,  Woke at my usual 4:15AM but, for some reason, woke with a malady of physical issues:  Low-Grade Head Ache Body Ache/stiffness Left Eyelid swollen and red I at least know that this was caused by a combination of sunscreen, retinol cream, and moisturizer that got into my eyes while I slept.   #retinolislyfe Allow me to bid you an enjoyable weekend.  I'll be back on the mat Monday.  Namaste

Thursday, March 26, 2020 Delighted to be on my mat again this week. Sometimes, it's hard to look forward to the practice.  " Why am I even doing this", my brain asks me at times. " The couch you're on is soooper comfy, and the warm coffee you're sipping is sooooper nice, and the video clips of cooking shows you're mindlessly watching are pacifying and soothing as background noise......your mat is going to make you sweat, and make you work, and make you uncomfortable....who needs that?......no one."- My Brain I titled today's post "Connect 4" because today is the fourth day in a row this week I've started my day on my mat.  I typically practice Monday-Friday and rest on Saturday/Sunday.  I've also been training for the GO! St. Louis Marathon/Half-Marathon/10K that would have occurred this Sunday.  That running schedule, paired with a yoga practice, has definitely given my legs and back something to think about.  Out of t...

Wednesday, March 25, 2020,  Like many, I am self-quarantined in my home for the time being.  I work from home, and carry on a normal day-to-day routine, but I've had to come up with some interesting ways to feel accomplished:    1.    Eating Healthy - I've been eating properly for the past few weeks.  It sucks, but it makes me feel balanced mentally and physically.  I'm a "nacho's/pizza/hot-wings/what-are-your-app-specials?" kinda guy at heart, so the continual stream of vegetables, fruit, salads, etc. is disappointing and boring at times; good news is, I'm used to it now.    2.    This Blog - I was dedicated to this blog long before the quarantine, but this blog is extremely useful to me in that it encourages me to get up at 4:15AM, and on my mat by 5:15AM.  The physical/mental/spiritual benefits of my practice cannot be denied as essential when human contact is being limited.    3.    Househo...

Tuesday, March 24, 2020,  Woke at my usual 4:15AM, and I'm on my mat at 5:19AM; on schedule. Feeling a bit off this morning, as I was yesterday.  I'm going to take my own advice and ignore my feeling's, for the most part, and continue with my practice. Tuesday, March 24, 2020 (Part II),  I'm writing this post-practice, off my mat, and I suppose I'm still feeling a little "off". Yesterday's blog post was "Ignore your Feelings...Most of the time", so I need to practice what I preach a little bit, and not put so much stock into emotions and feelings. Today's practice was a great one; the second full series that I went through this week (ending with a full backbend sequence).  I will do the same tomorrow, and then I'll get back into my running routine.  Last time I ran was Sunday (4.6 miles, just in case you're curious....you're not, but I told you anyway), and the effects of running negate much of the flexibility that i...

Monday, March 23, 2020,  Woke at my usual 4:15AM this morning for my hour of coffee and contemplation ( #strangerthings), and I'm on my mat, a bit behind schedule, at 5:29AM, ready to begin. Just for yucks, I went back, and read some of my initial blog posts from 2016; I used to get up at 5:00AM!  LOL Who was I?... The point of rising at 4:15AM is to allow an hour's time to "thaw" from my sleep.  This means an hour of brainless, thoughtless time on the couch, nursing a hot cup of coffee and scrolling through memes. If I'm begin good, and staying on schedule, you'll see my posts beginning at 5:15AM CT.  I'm feeling a bit sore this morning, and a bit " uninspired" to go into my practice; I know enough about my nature to ignore these "feelings" and get on my mat anyway.  I always feel better, and create a better version of myself, when I begin my day with my practice. Time to begin.... Monday, March 23, 2020 (Part II),  I'm...

Friday, March 20, 2020 Woke up this morning at my usual 4:15AM, and I'm on my mat, typing this at 5:09AM. Physically, I'm feeling well this morning.  A bit of tenderness in areas of my back, and a bit of tenderness in some areas of my legs, but nothing too extreme.  I've been getting exceptional sleep lately, and crawling into bed around 7:00PM-ish every night; asleep by 8:00PM-ish (and it's awesome). Mentally, I'm feeling fair enough; I think I had funky dreams last night, which led to a funky feeling this morning, shortly after I woke up.  This happens at times, and the perfect "reset", is the mat that I am currently sitting on. If I could tell myself one thing, I would say this: "The world will try and rob you of your peace; expect this daily.  If the world will try and rob of your peace, on a daily basis, you must prepare your body, spirit, and mind, and ensure that you're not left gutted, weeping, and confused when the world comes ...

Thursday, March 19, 2020 Woke at my usual 4:15AM this morning, and I'm on my mat an hour later typing this. Feeling well, and feeling eager to complete another full practice today, though I'm a little sore from yesterdays' full practice. It's 5:26AM as I type this, and it's time to begin. Thursday, March 19, 2020 (Part II), A little sore my eye...... I had a marvelous practice today; ended it with another crowning series of backbends.  My mind is definitely one of the more difficult things to keep silent but, today I randomly began exercising a yoga principle I've known of for many years; Drishti  . Simply put, this principle means focusing your eyes on a point and holding your eyes there while you sustain your Asana/pose.  I've always employed Drishti in my practice but, for some reason, I grew lax in this principle, and abandoned it on some of my postures.  Today I noticed that, when I held my eyes still, I held my mind still, and held by b...