Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

While a formal practice of yoga and meditation will significantly up the odds that you’ll cultivate a heightened state ‘wholeness’ and well being, you don’t necessarily have to move through a prescribed sequence of techniques or rituals to experience this. Actually, we have infinite opportunities to practice all day long! When we slow down enough, any moment can be a potential to wake up; to bloom open and to fully experience ourselves, others, and our environment.

Yogalicious 52 is filled with inspirations to help you s-l-o-w d-o-w-n and reconnect with your deepest self.

ENJOY!
Jillian
http://www.yogajillian.com

PS. My retreat at Mohonk Mountain House Spa in New Paltz NY, Feb 23-25 is SOLD OUT. However, if you are interested in staying somewhere else or coming up for a day, you by a meal pass to attend the events. Accommodations near by http://www.minnewaskalodge.com. Contact Mohonk for details on single day visitation htt://www.mohonk.com.

There is room to Join me for the PERFECT SPRING RENEWAL RETREAT at KRIPALU April 29-May 5. More information below and e-brochure to come.

“If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing slowly or not at all.”    back to top

My son William and I hold hands all the time. I put my hand in his to cross the street, to ensure he keeps pace, to stop him from ‘exploring’ while we are on our way, ect. In fact, the other night when we were walking from the bathroom to the living room we habitually reached for each other’s hand. With no particular agenda, I moseyed at William’s speed. There was no leading or following; we weren’t looking at anything, talking or playing. We were merely walking together hand in hand from one room to the next, enjoying the same slow and quiet pace. In that moment, I felt as if I was holding is hand for the first time and although it was only seconds, time stood still.
In slowing down to really meet William I became entirely present, calm, and filled with gratitude. My contentment lingered and the rest of our nightly routine flowed more smoothly and was more satisfying than usual. Going to bed that night, I was still inspired by the depth of this is simple moment. I felt more relaxed and ‘whole’ for hours after thatsmall experience. This is Yoga!   back to top

Tips from the The Slow Movement for living more fully:
• Get a Slow hobby, a leisurely pursuit like knitting, yoga, painting or gardening.
• Spread out your chores; do one load each day instead of all at once, or dust one day and vacuum the next.
• Stop watching the clock; on weekends try waking up to your body's natural rhythms rather than an alarm, and leave your watch at home
• Shop at a farmers' market
• Prepare a sit-down meal and savor it without watching TV, or reading. Enjoy the conversation if you're dining with others, or peaceful solitude if eating alone.
• On vacation slow down; don't try to cram every sight into your must-see list. Visit "slow cities" with local restaurants where you can eat slow
• Prune your to-do list; make time for the people and activities that you enjoy.   back to top

Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Movement   back to top

The Slow Down Diet by Marc David. Eating for Pleasure, Energy and Weigh Loss.    back to top

Enjoy these wise meditations to do during everyday activities with Sharon Salzburg. They are short, effective, and excellent. LISTEN TO THEM NOW! http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/insp/med/ss_insp_med_audiomeditation.jhtml   back to top

LOVE practicing yoga SLOW. When we practice yoga asana, we learn to slow down to listen to our breath. The breath is the bridge between our body and mind. As holding hands united me with William, the breath links our body and mind, allowing us to feel intimately connected to ourselves, present and at ease. Here’s my favorite way to slow own and savor each moment of my practice. Instead of synchronizing the breath exactly
with my movement, I wait a moment (one or two seconds) for the breath to start and THEN initiate my movement. Waiting in this mindful pause sharpens my alertness throughout the vinyasa flow making it effortless to stay present. Try it yourself: Use a simple flow like Cat. Get down on all fours in cat pose, pause for a moment and feel the ground under your hands and knees. When the inhale begins, allow a second or two of breath to inflate you, then arch and look up. Notice the very top of the inhale when youThis is an interesting article http://evenstaronline.com/articles/naps.html by a brilliant author Mary Ann Copson. I’ve worked with her over the phone before and she has a wealth of knowledge! She is the founder of the Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center for Women. With Master's Degrees in Human Development and in Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; a Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach; Human Development Consultant; and Eco-therapist. r lungs are full, and fill out your shape completely here. Then WAIT until you feel the exhale begin; let a second of breath flow out, then round your back to the sky. Stay in the shape all the way to the end of the breath, and wait for the next inhale to start, waiting for a second(s) before you flow back into the arch. Continue like this for 10-20 breaths. Feel what you are doing. Experiment with this technique in the sun solutes and all your poses!    back to top

“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”  back to top

This is an interesting article http://evenstaronline.com/articles/naps.html by a brilliant author Mary Ann Copson. I’ve worked with her over the phone before and she has a wealth of knowledge! She is the founder of the Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center for Women. With Master's Degrees in Human Development and in Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; a Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach; Human Development Consultant; and Eco-therapist.  back to top

Blooming Open – At Kripalu in Lenox Mass - April 29-May 4
Join me for this perfect spring retreat in the magical Berkshire Mountains. You will be totally renewed by this week long series of cleansing yoga techniques, restorative yoga and rejuvenating flows, metta meditation, and walking meditation in spring gardens, mountain vistas and fresh air! The retreat is designed to help you cultivate a deep sense of loving-kindness that will relax your body, open your heart, and calm your mind. Visit: http://www.kripalu.org/presenter/663/pransky OR For more information or email yoga_julie@yahoo.com   back to top

I am teaching Saturday’s at Devotion Yoga in Hoboken at 10:30. Come share some yoga with me as my guest if you haven’t been there in 6 months! http://www.devotionyoga.com   back to top

NOur true home is in the present moment.
To live in the present moment is a miracle.
TRUE HOME The miracle is not to walk on water.
The miracle is to walk on the Green Earth in the present moment.
To appreciate the peace and the Beauty that are available now.
Peace is all around us, In the world and in nature.
And within us — in our bodies and our spirits.
Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed.
It is not a matter of faith;
It is a matter of practice.
— Thich Nhat Hang
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Thank you so much for joining me here!

I am deeply grateful for all the amazing emails I received after Yogalicious 41, my last issue. It is a gift to be part of this heartfelt community!

And, while I feel strong and vibrant again, I continue to make my self care and slowing down a priority. I believe this is the key to keeping my quality of life and energy up. Slowing down doesn’t mean we stop living a full life. In fact, we can live more fully when we slow down! We can slow down in our interaction with others, when we are talking, walking, eating, or driving. When we notice that we are multi-tasking we can pause and restart, focusing on just one thing instead. Try it yourself, slow down for just a few minutes a day and notice how your feel.

With great love,
Jillian