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O G A L I C I O U S..N E W S
L E T T E R..#58
— December 2008  |
Namaste Yogis and Yoginis, I just returned from an amazing week in Mexico where I led my 8th annual retreat themed “Blooming Open: A Spring Awakening”. It was designed to stimulate release, rejuvenation, and re-centering of the body, mind, and heart. By weeks end I witnessed an obvious transformation in each student. Everyone was replenished with a glow that was deeper than the suns kiss. Even I (the teacher) came home feeling totally relaxed, grounded, and energized. While we were immersed in five hours of deep practice
each day, we still had plenty of time to relax on the
white sandy beach and swim in the healing Caribbean
Sea. We dined on wholesome fresh foods and most
importantly enjoyed each others company. Each
component of the retreat contributed to its success
however, I think the most essential part was the ‘fun
factor’. We simply had a really good time. The
light-hearted social environment helped make the
techniques we were using more absorbable and potent,
especially the meditations to guide the heart and mind
towards a more positive and compassionate orientation
(Metta and Mudita). We actually had all the right
conditions for optimism and joy to flow in more
organically. However, we all know that our daily conditions are rarely this idyllic. (We even prepared for this with ‘re-entry’ practices before we left the island…) So I’m filling this issue of Yogalicious with ‘every day - any time - any where’ techniques to help increase your brightness and prepare your body, mind, and heart to spring up! The time is now… with spring’s transformational energy expanding, Mother Nature wants nothing more than to see you bloom fully! With great joy, PS. Join me for a The Perfect Spring - Mini Retreat! April 26. Sat 1-4. You’ll leave totally renewed after Jillian’s inspiring series of detoxifying vinyasa flows, releasing restorative poses, fortifying metta (loving-kindness) practices and a deeply nourishing relaxation. This workshop is great for all levels. “And there came a time when the risk of remaining closed tight in a bud far outweighed the risk it took to bloom". At Yogaworks Downtown. 138 Fifth Ave. $50 in advance. $60 @ door. Call 212 647 9642 to sign up. www.yogaworks.com *** Register NOW it is already selling fast. PSS. Save your spot now for my week long Summer Retreat July 20-25 in the Berkshire Mountains at Kripalu. “Relax and Radiate: Bright Body, Wide Heart, Light Mind.” Read all the details below
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IN THIS ISSUE —— |
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| WORDS OF WISDOM |
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"I like nonsense - it wakes up the brain cells.
Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a
way of looking at life through the wrong end of a
telescope that enables you to laugh at all of life's
realities." Dr. Seuss. (PS. Go See Horton Hears a
Who. It was great!)
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| WILLIAM 101 |
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My four and a half year old William asked me, “Why did
the man throw the clock out the window?”
“Why?” I took the bait.
He could barely stop laughing to get out the punch
line, “Because it was a banana!”
As I no longer expect to make sense of his jokes, I
laughed right along with him. William is a silly kid
and easily humored. He can get a rise out of a song
lyric, a drawing, a dance move, a bodily noise, slimy
food, pretty much anything. Truth be told, it took me
a while to catch on and just go with it. Especially
when he seems like he’s forcing himself to laugh.
Sometimes he puts on this big mad scientist laugh to
start off and then within a few seconds he’s
authentically cracking up. Through William’s tutelage,
my own critical ear for humor has grown radically
wider. And these days I find myself more easily moved
to laugh by things that would previously not even get
me to smile.
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| CHUCKLE NOW – STEVEN WRIGHT JOKES |
| MORE QUICK FIXES TO INSTANTLY UP YOUR JOY |
| 1. Today, take 15 minutes to do something you enjoy.
William recommends: “Do art, paint and color. Listen
to music. Dance. Catch butterflies. Pick flowers. Walk
outside. Take a bath. Have a play date.”
2. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. Pick up the phone, write a letter, or even send an email now. The sharing and receiving of kinds words is an amazing stress reducer and heart opener. 3. Smile. That’s it. Just smile. Try it for a few minutes. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 4. Spring Clean in any moment you become aware that you can get rid of something that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Donate it or recycle when ever possible. Be Ruthless and release it. 5. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Envy is a waste of energy and time. You already have all you need. Smile and have a moment of gratitude for all you have in your life. 6. Take three deep breaths. Then visualize some one, some place, or some activity you love! 7. Add Brightness. Wear more color on your body. Incorporate more color into your diet such as oranges, beets, avocados, asparagus, baby greens, lemons, and limes. Get up and see the sun rise! Position your mat to face the rising sun during yoga or meditation. back to top |
| INSIDE JOB |
| Yoga philosophy advocates that energy follows thought
and that we choose our thoughts. And, when we don’t
actively choose our thoughts, we will most likely find
ourselves overcome by habitual negative beliefs we’ve
been conditioned to accept as true about ourselves and
the world around us. Happiness is not a mysterious
occurrence. It is a behavior, a conscious decision. It
is a choice we make, each day, each moment of our day,
with each thought we have (or don't have). To practice
choosing I personally use a Joy/ Gratitude/ Positive
Thoughts Journal. I always feel healthier, happier and
more vibrant when I am engaged in this practice.
TRY IT: Pick a journal and label 40 days of pages.
Commit to writing once a day. I start with what I have
gratitude for, then I write down a few sentences in
the present tense, constructing an image of myself in
a perfect state of well being, fulfilled and balanced.
I also jot down any quotes that inspire me. Don’t
worry if you skip a day. Just pick it back up the next
day. But you’ll find you won’t want to miss a day!
back to top |
| NO MATTER WHAT |
| “Do you know what today means, in spiritual, numerical
terms? … Me neither. But I know this, your thoughts
become things every single day, no matter what the
occasion, no matter where the energy vortices lie, no
matter when the equinox starts, no matter what the
economy is doing, no matter who is in office, no
matter what you want, no matter when you want it, no
matter what, no matter what, no matter what. Any other
thinking just gives your power away.” www.tut.com back to top |
| JOY IN THE KITCHEN |
| My friend and yogi Kim O Donnel (of the
Washingtonpost.com) now writes a fun and delicious
food column for Simple Living. Cook up some of her
yummy delights!
http://simplystated.realsimple.com/food/kim-odonnel.html back to top |
| THE PERFECT TOUCH |
| Lighten up this season is with a massage, acupuncture, or an Ayruveda body treatment. Here are some favorites in the NJ/NY area: Masseuse and Yogi Kerry at http://www.kerrymassage.com - Hoboken Acupuncture http://www.hobokenacupuncture.com/acupunture.htm (catch her before her maternity leave.) - Niika Quistigard http://www.mayashakti.com (Only in town for April. Catch her quick.) “Jillian’s teaching style and deep respect for each student has literally changed my life. She is the only teacher I know who is completely lacking in judgment or ego when she teaches. I get a huge dose of love, just being in her class. I would follow her wherever she goes.” —Rose back to top |
| THE UTLIMATE SUMMER RETREAT – Save Your Spot! |
| Relax and Radiate: Bright Body, Wide Heart, Light Mind
- with Jillian Pransky at Kripalu July 20-25.
http://www.kripalu.org/program/view/ALL/BBHW81/pransky
You’ll leave this 5-day workshop radiant, relaxed, and
inspired. Yogis believe that happiness is an “inside
job” and that energy follows thought. Contentment is
not a mysterious occurrence but a behavior, a
conscious choice we make each moment of the day. And
while yogis believe this state is our birthright, they
acknowledge that it takes steadfast practice to live
this way. Even brief glimpses of contentment make it
possible to find the state more easily and often.
Contentment isn’t a matter of faith but of repetition,
and yoga offers many asana and meditation techniques
to help us practice. Little by little, these moments
begin to stretch into a lifetime. Yoga teacher Jillian
Pransky artfully weaves mindfulness, insight
meditation, and mudita (joy meditation) together with
vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga, and deep relaxation to
help you grow beyond habitual limited patterns of
moving and thinking. As your mind opens to new
possibilities, so does the body. During this week, you
will learn many practical techniques to take with you
off the mat and into your life. Plus you’ll have the
luxury of being in the Berkshires Mountains in their
prime Summer Time! With the flowers in full bloom and
Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow in session! Don’t miss
this transformational week. “Jillian’s teaching style and deep respect for each student has literally changed my life. She is the only teacher I know who is completely lacking in judgment or ego when she teaches. I get a huge dose of love, just being in her class. I would follow her wherever she goes.” —Rose back to top |
TThank you again for meeting me here! May you enjoy this delicious season of transformation and rebirth. Take some time to stop and relax and touch base with nature – open your windows, play in your garden, walk in a park. Just witnessing life bursting from the grounds and blooming from the trees is a wonderful way to lighten up and receive the universe’s gifts. As always, I love to hear your comments, suggestions or any thoughts you would like to share. Especially if you have your own tips on how to stimulate laughter! In addition, please let me know if you have an email address correction or a friend that you would like to add to the list. With Love, |