James Walsh Yoga

Thursday, September 24, 2020 (Part I),  The 1 minute video clip above is one of the best analogies I've seen to describe the natural, untamed state of a human mind, and the still, meditative state that can be achieved with practice.  In essence, meditation is as simple as focusing on an object (usually something beautiful, like the face of a loved one, a religious image, or even something obscure and innocuous, like an orange, or apple), and holding the thought of that object in your mind; directly in front of you, like a projection screen on the back of your forehead.   Try doing that now...as you read this....find an object to focus on, close your eyes, and hold the image of that object in your mind.... Within seconds of focusing, your mind will, more than likely, start to stir around, and other thoughts will begin to creep into your head: I have that thing tonight.... That meeting today is going to be monstrous.... I'm worried about this.... I'm worried about that...

 Wednesday, September 23, 2020 (Part I),  Like many, I was initially drawn to yoga by the breathtaking physical poses/Asanas.  I had to try it, and wanted to learn to be more like these magnificent men and women who showed physical strength, endurance, and beauty, all in one.  However, as I began to grow into my practice, and into the understanding of what yoga is, and what it can do to a human, the benefits to my "non-physical" being (my head, my heart, my soul, etc.), have kept me coming back for more.  The physical postures, formally referred to as Asanas, are one of the eight limbs of yoga.  You could study one limb of yoga for the entirety of your life, and still only scratch the surface of it (in my humble opinion).   Today's practice will begin, as all of my practices do; sitting on my mat, meditating, praying, and beginning breathe techniques (formally called Pranayama), to prepare myself for my Asanas, and the day ahead.  Time to beg...

 Tuesday, September 22, 2020 (Part I),  Anyone who reads this blog will know that, on many days, I speak about the monotony and ordinary nature of a yoga practice.  To some, referring to a yoga practice as "monotonous" and "ordinary" may sound disrespectful and unenlightened.  However, I want to break the stigma that a yoga practice means that you're floating in the clouds and living a serene, uncomplicated life and you're eagerly on your mat every day effortlessly connecting to the Divine.  No....I sneer at the price of gas like everyone else.....I overindulge on junk food on the weekends like everyone else, and, very often, I'd rather do anything  but physical exercise....like everyone else. I've written before that discipline beats motivation.  Motivation will be there some days, and not there on other days.  Forcing yourself to go through with something, even when you don't feel motivated to do it, is discipline.   Time to begin...

  Friday, September 18, 2020 (Part I),  If you're new to yoga, and are looking to gain experience, my humble opinion (that no one asked for), is that you head to youtube, buy a DVD, or get some other form of media that helps you understand how to begin.  I've linked the 13 minute video above several times into this blog, as it's an excellent example of how I, and many practitioners, begin their physical/Asanas; you don't need to look like this guy (I certainly don't), but he demonstrates the flow, and the technique of Sun Salutes/Surya Namaskar, flawlessly.    I've maintained a practice for well over decade, and will always consider myself a beginner.  If you're a beginner too, but looking to expand into the world of yoga, buy a yoga mat and, if you're invested, buy at least two foam support blocks and a strap (I keep these accouterments next to my mat at all times, and still use them occasionally, especially if I've been neglecting my practice, and ...

 Thursday, September 17, 2020 (Part I),  Are my 35 year old joints finally going rogue on me (after years of abuse)?  Earlier in the summer, I came back from a camping trip (feeling perfectly fine), only to find myself limping back to my car after 2< minutes of a casual jog; something was wrong with my left knee.  I ran my first full marathon in 2007, and have considered myself, at least, a casual runner, since that time.  I enjoy it as a means of heart/lung health, but I also enjoy the "head clearing" nature of the activity.  Your brain can't whisper anxious/depressing thoughts to you while it's in full on "survival mode" trying to keep your stomach from puking while you round mile #23... Having been relatively injury free most of my life, I was surprised when I came limping back to my car after jogging out 1 minute and limping back the next minute.  It takes a lot to send me back to my car (I put on the outfit, charged my phone, got my Gatorade, g...

 Tuesday, September 15, 2020 (Part I),  On my mat with nothing profound to say other than, life is, and always will be, good.  No matter what the circumstances (and circumstances, good and bad, will be a part of life); life is good.  Time to begin... Tuesday, September 15, 2020 (Part II),  On my mat, having just come out of Savasana.  An unremarkable, however enjoyable, practice this morning.  An unremarkable practice is better than no practice.  As runner/joggers say; " no matter how slow you run, you're still beating the people on the couch".  Time to shower up, and enter the world.  Namaste

 Friday, September 11, 2020 (Part I ), As a week of rebuilding winds down, I begin my day on my mat again (with nothing profound to say).  Time to begin.... Upavista Konasona Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend Friday, September 11, 2020 (Part II), I'm writing this Part II update, as always, on my mat, having just finished my practice, and having just come out of Savasana.  Today was the first time, in a long time, that I executed one of my favorite Asanas/Postures, Upavista Konasana/Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend ......and holy schla-moley did my legs ever tighten up....  At my best, I can easily place my chest on the ground with no strain in this posture; no so today.....due to the inability to practice for the past few months, my legs decided to solidify into stubborn and unmalleable tree-trunks.... The bottom line....don't neglect yourself!  If you do neglect yourself, don't despair when you rebuild, as it takes time.  Right now it's time to shower up, and e...

 Thursday, September 10, 2020 (Part I),  So I wake up.....I go through my morning routine.....and, at a pre-determined time, I come to my yoga mat.  Why?....what's the point?..... I want to try and break the illusion that someone with a dedicated practice wakes up to singing bird, and gong chants, and green tea, and an all around Disney-ish feel to life with Bambi and Snow White.  As a flawed, and imperfect practitioner, I would say that some days do  feel like that, other days feel nothing like that, and other days, right in the middle.  There's nothing "mystical", "magical", or incomprehensible about yoga, and the practice of yoga.  It doesn't guard your mind, heart, body, soul against the world.  However, when the world comes for you (with both guns blazing in the form of something ghastly and horrible from the entertainment industry/news), the discipline of yoga does provide you with clarity on how you could, and should react to the world and...

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 (Part I), " There is no spoon", is a famous line from "The Matrix" where the hero of the movie is learning, more and more, that the world he lives in, and grew up in, isn't real.  He encounters a young child quietly bending metal spoons with only the power of his mind.  The child explains how he does this:  " Do not try and bend the spoon...that's impossible.  Instead, only try to realize the truth....there is no spoon.  Then you will see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself".   A great line, from a great movie but, regardless of how "meta" this phrase seems, there's real-world advice in what the child says.  Religion teaches us that anything that can be destroyed, isn't real.  This means that our bodies, the device you're reading this on, those White Claws in the fridge, and the Earth itself, are not "real".   My humble, subjective, thoughts on this (that absolutely n...

Friday, September 4, 2020 (Part I), Who can you control?.....yourself. Begin, and end, there.  You cannot control others.  You cannot win people over, influence them, or force them to believe what you believe.  You cannot say, " my hatred, discord, aggression, disrespect, and viciousness towards others is ok because I'm supporting something that's good".   What you can do is control the words that come from your mouth.  You can control yourself through your actions, and, with practice, you can gain greater control over the thoughts that flit through your head. Trite, cliche, and old-fashioned as it sounds; be the change that you want in the world.  Begin and end there, always.  Today is the fifth, and final day of my yoga practice rebuild.  I sustained an injury earlier in the summer and haven't been able to practice.  I came back to my mat 5 days ago, and have been going through an abbreviated sequence of Asanas/physical poses to test m...

Thursday, September 3, 2020 (Part I),  Feelings.....emotions, etc.  The modern world of 2020 puts an enormous emphasis on the importance of feelings and emotions. You might find it strange that a website dedicated to yoga provides a conflicting theory on the importance, and unimportance, of feelings and emotions.  I've learned this; feelings change with the wind.  One can "feel" good one moment, and "feel" less good within a few seconds.  What can cause this wild fluctuation in mood and demeanor?....a myriad of things that should be paid absolutely no attention, and viewed as the transitory, temporary, inconsequential factors that they are (you read something.....you saw something....you recalled something....you ate something.....you slept poorly....you don't look the way you want to...you had 3 WhiteClaws last night because they keep coming out with creative and tantalizing new flavors that you're incapable of resisting....etc.).  If feelings and emoti...

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 (Part I),   The intentional misspelling in the title is an homage to "The Simpsons", but the famous line of, " it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" , is the opening line from the Charles Dickens novel, " A Tale of Two Cities".  It continues on to say, " it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness".   As advertised, this blog will speak to the topic of yoga; no political nonsense here.  However, the famous opening line from the novel seems to be very applicable to the year of 2020.  Where does the "worst of times" come from?.....where does the "age of foolishness" live?.... Much of it can be attributed to the information coming from your phone/computer/television and, predominantly, from our "news".  Ask yourself after you've consumed some "news"...." do I feel better or worse for having consumed that?".  Ask yourself, " did I someho...

 Tuesday, September 1, 2020 (Part I),  Part of a rebuild is to get yourself back into a routine.  It's been said many times but it's true that a human being thrives on structure. Technically, one should begin and end their practice at the same time each day.  One should also get out of bed at the same time each day, and go to sleep at the same time each day.  I'm personally guilty of violating these rules sometimes but, as yesterday, I'm back on my mat ready to begin my practice.  Time to begin... Tuesday, September 1, 2020 (Part II),  As I write this, I'm on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.   My rebuild, and recovery from injury, is moving slow, but progressing.  Today's practice, like yesterday's, focused only on my Surya Namaskar/Sun Salute flow.  No additional poses, and no active backbends.   Time to shower up, and enter the world.  Namaste

Monday, August 31, 2020 (Part I) Peace will never come from the following: Social Media Your Television/Your Phone/Your Computer Politicians/Politics "News"/Celebrities/Entertainment Industry The four bullets listed above will rob you of your peace; always.  Be aware, mindful, and conscious of how much of them you consume.    Peace can be cultivated through diligence and practice from the following areas:  Learning to control your mind, and the thoughts that flit through your head Like exercising a physical muscle, learning to control your mind/brain takes daily practice.  Sometimes your brain cooperates, and sometimes it doesn't.    Prayer and Meditation Through prayer and meditation, you can learn to keep your perspective(s) clear.  What is important in your life?  What do you need? Breathe Control There's a reason that people who are hyperventilating seem out of control.  Control your breathing, and you'll gain control over the rest ...

Wednesday, August 26. 2020, (Part I) Was unable to practice due to injury for a few months.  As I come back to my mat this morning, my first thought is how much I've missed my practice, the connection(s) and understanding(s) that come, and the physical benefits of a practice.   Any rebuild will benefit you more if it's slow, methodical, and disciplined.  Time to begin.... Wednesday, August 26, 2020 (Part II) Went through my standard meditation and prayer sequence (10-15 minutes), warm up (5-10 minutes), Surya Namaskar/Sun Salute A, and closing sequence. I'll be back on my mat tomorrow to continue the rebuild.  Namaste

Marichyasana II / The Pose of Marichi A favorite pose of mine that keeps your spine flexible and supple. This pose aids in digestion and elimination as well.  Tuesday, June 23, 2020 (Part I),  As always, I'm writing this Part I post before beginning my practice. I will take a page from my own book of advice, and focus on keeping my monkey mind still today. To begin keeping "the monkey" still, I'm going to begin with Pranayama/breathing techniques, and prayers.  I usually move from breathing and prayer, into meditation; for me, and my current skill level, and understanding (which is always evolving), I begin meditation by holding the image of something in my head, and focusing on that image.  My attention will wander after just a few seconds, but I bring my brain/"the monkey", gently back to his "chair" and have him "sit" again.  From here, I begin my physical practice. Padma Sirsasana/Lotus Tripod This is an example of prepar...

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 (Part I) One of the best analogies that describes our mind, and awareness, can be found in this short, one minute video. Our mind, and thoughts naturally run around in our head; disobedient, willful, and reactive....we rarely make our brain/mind sit still for any length of time. A goal of yoga, and meditation, is to be able to condition and control your mind (and body), so that you can, on a whim, ask the "monkey" to sit still...and it will obey. A simple method to practice is finding an object (any object will do from a religious item, to the bowl of apples sitting on your table), and holding that image, and that image alone, in your mind.  See how long you hold the image before other thoughts begin to creep in.... Become comfortable with the idea of sitting still, and it can become a habit.  A still mind can discern what's real, from what's fake; a still mind is not depressed, scared, or apprehensive; a still mind is not anxious. ...

The steps leading to full  Urdhva Dhanurasana/Upward Bow Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part I),  Today's practice marks the second opportunity this week to rebuild my practice (after a two week, poison ivy hiatus). As always, I'll begin with prayers and meditation before warming up, and beginning my sequence. Time to begin.... Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part II),  As always, the Part II post comes after a practice.  Today is the second opportunity I've had this week to rebuild my practice after a two week, poison-ivy-induced, hiatus. Preparation for Urdhva Dhanurasana. Because this pose is challenging, it should be done at the end of your practice, wen you're warmed up. Hands are placed directly under the shoulders... I went through my full, modified Ashtanga Series (a non-traditional sequence, for any yogi who follow this blog), and finished with my favorite/least favorite/love it/hate it/ closing sequence of backbending.  Urdhva Dhanurasana , also...

M onday, June 15, 2020 (Part I),  As the title suggests, the last time I hit my mat was Friday, May 29.   After that practice,  two weeks ago, I joined my brothers for a delightful little camping/floating trip in Central Missouri, only to find my arms, stomach, and legs covered in a poison ivy rash upon my return home. I toyed with the idea of getting on my mat but, as anyone who's contracted poison ivy knows, the oil of the plant can create a gnarly looking, bubbly mess of your skin; you can't shower in hot water, as it'll spread the oil.  Knowing this, I determined it would be best to stay off my mat, as I don't want any oil/sweat getting onto my mat to re-spread at a later date. That's over two full weeks of no yoga!  What's a yogi to do?...... The answer is simple; you rebuild..... Time to begin.... Monday, June 15, 2020 (Part II),  Look at this.....all over.... Even with a two week hiatus from my mat, much of my flexibility, stren...

Friday, May 29, 2020,  Heat will cure what ails you. For me, at least, that's true. Stiff, sore, achy,....you name it; heat will help move it out of your body, primarily, through your sweat. I typically don't practice on the weekend so, until monday.... Namaste