Lately, my home practice has been feeling very stale, and while I long to be practicing at the yoga studio with my favorite teachers, my finances just can't support this right now. So, I'm always on the look out for ways to make yoga affordable and accessible, and I'm happy to pass ideas along to you as I discover them.
I went to Yoga Journal's web page and found a feature that offers a yoga sequence builder. I'm going to give it a try. If you want to check it out, go here and take a look. There is an option to make your own sequence or to click on a sample sequence as well. Either way, you can put in options for all levels, intermediate and advanced sequences/poses. Today, I'm feeling drawn to seated twists, back bends, Bandha positions, deep breathing (pranayama) and some good old restorative poses to end with. I'm going to enter all of this in, see what suggestions they give, play around a bit, and give it a try today and throughout my weekend. If you try this out, too, I'd love to know what you thought about using this sequence building guide.
Happy Friday to all!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Another Moment of Parenting Zen
It was only 8:00 in the morning and I hadn't even finished my first cup of coffee yet, and this is what I heard myself saying to The Kid: "Stand Still! And STOP trying to climb the wall while I'm putting sunscreen on your face! For REAL. Get. Your. Feet. Off. The. Wall. Now."
But, between you and me, although, this was EXTREMELY annoying (especially while trying to apply sunscreen, which ended up in his eyes twice because he was moving around so much) it is kind of impressive the way he positions himself in the hallway entrance, puts both feet up on the wall, finds total balance, and kind of suspends himself for a moment.
But, um, yea, I'm not going to tell him that.
Monday, March 10, 2008
3 Birthday "Celebrations", 1 Bout of Bronchitis, and 1 Puke Fest
We have survived the a fore mentioned in the last seven days. Actually, we are still getting through The Kid's never-ending cold/"touch of bronchitis," as diagnosed by his pediatrician. The puke fest took place at The Kid's final birthday celebration, by the birthday boy himself. We first spent a couple of hours at a local ceramic shop where the kids had an awesome time painting. Then we walked to a local park to let the kids play for a bit. It was all very causal and fun, but then things took a turn for the worse. Let me just put it to you this way:
Mucus + Sugar + Running at the park = Linda Blair Projectile Vomiting.
Poor, kid (I have to go on record, though, in saying that I warned The Kid, and even pulled him aside twice, not to run too hard or too much given that he was still getting over a cough. But, I realize, that's a very tall order at your own birthday celebration.)! Luckily, Aqua Man was with him right before he was about to "throw up", and had the mind to pull The Kid off to the side, away from everyone, so that this was not witnessed by all, nor did it cover everyone else at the park. It did, however, entirely cover The Kid and Aqua Man, and eventually, myself. The Kid was, understandably, crying hysterically and really freaked out. I covered him up as best as I could, pulled him to me so that everyone wouldn't see him covered in vomit and then carried him off to a more private spot. He calmed down after a few minutes, and said through the tears still rolling down his face, "Mommy, that was the worst throwing up ever in the world! When is it going to end?" I hugged him and said, "I think you're done throwing up, buddy." And while he, thankfully, was done, we did have to leave the park right away. Needless to say, it was a very abrupt end to his party, not to mention, well, smelly.
We arrived back at our car, packed The Kid in, loaded up, cracked the windows, and took off for home. For a few minutes we were sharing stories of "embarrassing childhood puking moments" with The Kid as a way to help ease what we imagined was his horror of the moment. He was taking it all in, nodding his head, but not saying much. I was thinking, oh my god, this is going to be burned into his brain, eclipse all other memories of his 5th birthday and probably come up when he is in therapy 20 years from now. Then, right before he fell asleep on the ride home, he announced, "Well, good thing I waited until I was OUTSIDE to throw up. I'm REALLY glad I didn't PUKE while I was PAINTING!" Glass half-full, baby, glass half-full.
Mucus + Sugar + Running at the park = Linda Blair Projectile Vomiting.
Poor, kid (I have to go on record, though, in saying that I warned The Kid, and even pulled him aside twice, not to run too hard or too much given that he was still getting over a cough. But, I realize, that's a very tall order at your own birthday celebration.)! Luckily, Aqua Man was with him right before he was about to "throw up", and had the mind to pull The Kid off to the side, away from everyone, so that this was not witnessed by all, nor did it cover everyone else at the park. It did, however, entirely cover The Kid and Aqua Man, and eventually, myself. The Kid was, understandably, crying hysterically and really freaked out. I covered him up as best as I could, pulled him to me so that everyone wouldn't see him covered in vomit and then carried him off to a more private spot. He calmed down after a few minutes, and said through the tears still rolling down his face, "Mommy, that was the worst throwing up ever in the world! When is it going to end?" I hugged him and said, "I think you're done throwing up, buddy." And while he, thankfully, was done, we did have to leave the park right away. Needless to say, it was a very abrupt end to his party, not to mention, well, smelly.
We arrived back at our car, packed The Kid in, loaded up, cracked the windows, and took off for home. For a few minutes we were sharing stories of "embarrassing childhood puking moments" with The Kid as a way to help ease what we imagined was his horror of the moment. He was taking it all in, nodding his head, but not saying much. I was thinking, oh my god, this is going to be burned into his brain, eclipse all other memories of his 5th birthday and probably come up when he is in therapy 20 years from now. Then, right before he fell asleep on the ride home, he announced, "Well, good thing I waited until I was OUTSIDE to throw up. I'm REALLY glad I didn't PUKE while I was PAINTING!" Glass half-full, baby, glass half-full.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Beach Dreams
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Looks Like We Made It
Here's what's happening lately:
#1: Aqua Man made it through his big meeting last Friday; it was logistically, financially and mentally challenging to pull off, and he kicked ass! No word yet, though, on what this will mean in the long run. What ever the outcome, I'm very proud of him, and inspired by his bravery to step out of his comfort zone and to go for something new that truly interests him.
#2: The Kid turned 5 years old this past Sunday! Happy Birthday to the best kid ever.
#3: Birthday Celebration Number One, this past Sunday, was a success. We had a small party at our house with three friends and family and fun was had by all (It is the first of three mini-celebrations that we are having for The Kid because it turns out to be less expensive, over all, while still including all of his little friends.).
#4: Birthday Celebration Number Two (otherwise known as "We couldn't find a place to host a birthday party for 16 kids, plus parents, that didn't cost a small fortune, and our house is too small for that many bodies, so my mom will bring cupcakes to everyone in my class so all the little friends are included" mini-party): Sugar was had by all, and by 5 year old standards, it was a great success!
#5: I'm beginning to pitch my freelance work again, and moving forward with an idea I have for a small writing project. Overall, I'm feeling positive about both.
#1: Aqua Man made it through his big meeting last Friday; it was logistically, financially and mentally challenging to pull off, and he kicked ass! No word yet, though, on what this will mean in the long run. What ever the outcome, I'm very proud of him, and inspired by his bravery to step out of his comfort zone and to go for something new that truly interests him.
#2: The Kid turned 5 years old this past Sunday! Happy Birthday to the best kid ever.
#3: Birthday Celebration Number One, this past Sunday, was a success. We had a small party at our house with three friends and family and fun was had by all (It is the first of three mini-celebrations that we are having for The Kid because it turns out to be less expensive, over all, while still including all of his little friends.).
#4: Birthday Celebration Number Two (otherwise known as "We couldn't find a place to host a birthday party for 16 kids, plus parents, that didn't cost a small fortune, and our house is too small for that many bodies, so my mom will bring cupcakes to everyone in my class so all the little friends are included" mini-party): Sugar was had by all, and by 5 year old standards, it was a great success!
#5: I'm beginning to pitch my freelance work again, and moving forward with an idea I have for a small writing project. Overall, I'm feeling positive about both.
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