Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

Welcome to Yogalicious #60! Spring is in its full glory here in Montclair, New Jersey. I am literally surrounded by more flowering trees and greenery than I have ever experienced before. I find myself slowing down to take in every drop of beauty. In fact, I was having a leisurely day with my family this past weekend - lying on our grass, enjoying our gardens, and smelling the flowers, etc.  As we were admiring the deep pink peony buds which are beginning to unfold, my son William said, "look mommy a lady bug is carrying her baby on her back".   

Now, I kid you not...  this was no mamma and baby. This was Lady Bugs making Lady Bugs. Yes, we actually witnessed nature's gift of reproduction. Lady bug reproduction. (And over 15 minutes of it!)  Had we not have been taking some recreational time to simply enjoy and 'Be' we would have completely missed this amazing event. Which brings me to my point: Recreation. I never really put it together before (and I don't know how I missed this one) but this word 'recreation' means leisure, past time (slowing down) as well as rebirth and renewal - to re-create. Of course, when we pause, slow down and enjoy time just to Be it is radically renewing. As we spend time in recreation we become more present, more alive, and more ourselves!

The time is now. As nature recreates itself through springs blooming energy, so do we. Get outside, and
experience the joy of connecting with yourself and nature in a transformative and meaningful way. And
print this newsletter to bring with you. It's a hearty one filled with lots of outdoor inspirations including
a recent article on Walking Meditation that I wrote for New Jersey Life and Leisure.

With great joy,
Jillian
www.yogajillian.com

PS:  HERE ARE SOME SUPER RECREATIONAL EVENTS TO ALIGN WITH NATURE

AN OUTDOOR MINI RETREAT!  June 29th. in Montclair, NJ.
Join me for a very special event: A mini retreat in the amazing outdoor sanctuary of Montclair's famous
Vanvleck Gardens (an easy commute from NY or anywhere in NJ). This event will benefit the children's nature education programs at Van Vleck House & Gardens (www.vanvleck.org) and the Montclair Cooperative School (www.montclaircoop.org).  More details below.
Register at http://www.vanvleck.org or email education@vanvleck.org. I am very focused on making this a memorable event so come join me!

A FIVE DAY RETREAT IN THE SUMMER MOUNTAINS OF THE BERKSHIRES
Come relax and radiate with 5 days of pure nature, yoga, meditation! This is the ultimate summer yoga
retreat. Details below. July 20-25. http://www.kripalu.org/program/view/all/BBHW81/

"Forget not that the earth likes to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." -
Kahlil Gibran   

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When we spend time in nature we are often "doing" something like 'working out', talking with friends,
taking pictures, or simply getting from point A to point B. But if we want to really connect with nature
and the world around us, we need to take time to just BE in nature. This is what I love about walking
meditation. We can simply become more and more aware of ourselves and what's around us. Consider
Krishnamurti's words: "Do you know that even when you look at a tree and say, 'that is an oak' or 'that is a banyan tree', the naming of the tree, which is botanical knowledge, has so conditioned your mind that
the word comes between you and actually seeing the tree: to enter into contact with the tree you have to
put your hand on it, the word will no help you touch it."

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You may have already heard the endless list of benefits yoga can offer. In short, it balances, strengthens, opens, purifies, and relaxes the body, nervous system and mind.  But did you know that yoga doesn't have to be practiced in a yoga studio, or on a yoga mat, or even in yoga clothes. Yoga, a Sanskrit word, means 'Union', to yoke - uniting our mind, body, and spirit with each other and the universe. This experience of Union is a deeply connected feeling also known as Peace. In fact, there are many ancient yogic techniques that people use to experience this union other than laying down a yoga mat. Most spiritual masters recognize being out in nature as a means to cultivating this peace more effortlessly. In fact, walking in nature has long been a path of yoga - also known as Walking Meditation.

Walking Meditation is easy, takes little time, requires no formal training, and offers amazing health benefits. It is particularly valued for its ability to refresh your mind, give you an emotional boost, and help you feel more in sync with nature's cycles.   

A FRESH TAKE ON THE ORDINARY
What I like most about walking meditation is it helps me see things anew. For instance, Since September I've walked from my car into my son William¡¦s school twice a day. I know the walk with my eyes closed. And in a way, they are closed, as I'm often in a rush, on my cell phone, or mentally reviewing my list of things to do. But every now and then I park a bit further away than usual. I pause and take a few breaths in my car. Then, I consciously make an effort not to return a phone call or answer the phone as I get out and begin walking slowly towards school. I intentionally enjoy the fresh air and notice the seasonal conditions around me. When I walk slowly like this, I observe what's around me as if for the first time. The color of a house, a collection of rocks in a garden, the peeling bark of an old tree, and the crack in a side walk were a flower is sneaking up. All of a sudden my daily trotted territory becomes a brand new landscape. In a way, it's as if I'm on vacation - in a new land. I'm interested and engaged in my environment which naturally refreshes my mind and mood. I'm also relaxed. For as the mind rests
in the present, enjoying the moment, it is released from the exhausting habitual rewinding, fast forwarding, and jumping from thought to thought that it is normally occupied by.  I arrive to pick up
William truly ready to receive him, with a bright smile and a clear mind.  So in the end, my walk is good for everyone.

TRY IT TODAY
Set aside 10 or 20 minutes to walk. Pick a location outside such as a local park or a good walking neighborhood (see below for some local suggestions). Of course you can do it during your regular daily
routine too if you just park a bit further away - such as on your way into the grocery store, work, picking up your kids, anywhere really.

There is really no right or wrong when it comes to walking meditation.  Mindfulness is the main ingredient. Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment; it is the continuous practice of gently but clearly bringing your attention to each moment as its happening. When you walk with awareness that you are actually walking, a consciousness of where you are actually walking, and an acknowledgment of the actually conditions around you are doing a Walking Meditation or a Mindful Walk.

As far as technique goes, your relaxed awareness is on your steps and posture, breath and environment.
Intentionally walk slowly, taking small, deliberate, balanced, graceful footsteps. But find a comfortable
pace. Notice your breathing and allow it to be natural and as full as possible. Your posture should be
relaxed but tall. Not rigid. Feel your feet meet the ground. And, let your weight drain down into your legs
and feet so you don't feel like you have to hold yourself up with your shoulders as most of us habitually do. Shoulders release down and arms to hang comfortably. I like a classical hand position of clasping the hands together, fingers inter-twined, relaxed in front of my belly. Head floats on your neck, light and buoyant. Your eyes are relaxed as you begin to take in your environment.

JUST BE THERE - FULLY PRESENT
You don't need to focus on anything special, simply be mindful of the beauty of your surroundings. Notice the flowers and trees. Smell the freshness in the air. Listen to the song birds that have returned.  Mentally relax as you internally greet the sounds and sight of those who pass bye, children playing and dogs walking. Of course, feel open to offer a smile or a verbal hello. World respected Zen Master and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh often teaches walking meditation to children as well as adults. He
frequently instructs to be aware of how you your feet "touch the ground". He suggests to mentally offer the ground peace and love with your steps. I also like to be aware of the ground underneath me and focus on how it supports me. Feeling the solid earth under each step, I can trust that it will hold me up. This helps me let go more - especially of my shoulders! Remember you don't have to worry about getting it right. And, you don't have to walk so slow that people will wonder what you are doing. Just walk slowly enough that you can be fully present with your breath, your steps, and the nature around you.

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.

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My Taught by various Devotion Yoga Teachers. Monday Nights from 7-8. http://www.devotionyoga.com. Bring your own Mat.

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www.devotionyoga.com
May 31. SPECIAL DAY OF FREE YOGA! Space limited, space available on a first come first serve basis. Live Drumming. Special Promotions. And more. DO YOGA FOR CHARITY! Bright Spirit Teacher Trainee, Lisa Palumbo, will be selling cookines and taking contributions for the Cambodia Children's Fund! For more info about the Cambodia Children's Fund Yoga Project Lead by Seane
 
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Thank you for meeting me here! May you enjoy this delicious season of recreation and transformation! 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,
Jillian