18 Hopes, Dreams, Aspirations

If you had all that you needed, money was no object, and time was abundant, what would you do in 2018?  There is something about writing it down that creates the window of opportunity.

Here are my Hopes, Dreams, and Aspirations...

1. I would write a book.  I would tell my story and how yoga has made such a tremendous difference in self-acceptance, body image, and movement.
2. I would travel more with my husband.  Owning your own small business is a 24 hour commitment 7 days a week.  In order to be gone for a day, I prepare at least one to two weeks ahead of time, hire subs, prepare the studio, find someone to clean the studio and do the daily bookkeeping, laundry, etc.  Occasionally, having to cancel a class due to a family emergency makes me feel awful, and I always want to be as punctual and prepared for the people I serve.  I love my Tranquility business, but traveling would be a new adventure.
3. I would go back to Kripalu.  It is no secret that I have treasured my yoga training there; and the atmosphere is such a blessing to me for quiet reflection, healthy eating, and learning more about what I love.
4. I would see my grandchildren at least once a month. Even though some of them live far away.  All 8 of them bring me such joy!
5. I would accomplish my dream of becoming a yoga therapist.  Some people imagine that the attainment of this great aspiration would make my life complete, but I will continue to learn, grow, and study.  When you work with helping to heal people's bodies, you can never know enough about it.  I am very appreciative of Everyone Yoga School in Tulsa and the opportunity to learn, grow, and serve.
6. I would laugh more and worry less.  Laughter is very healing, and worry or anxiety is very damaging.  I am at the age and stage of life where more laughter seems like a better way to live, and anxiety has overstayed its welcome.
7. I would read more.  Now, this seems almost impossible seeing that I am already a voracious reader, but reading brings such pleasure.
8. I would walk in nature more often.  There is something so therapeutic about being outside, and I treasure the time I have with the quieting and listening aspect of long walks without an agenda.
9. I would go shopping with my daughter.  She loves to shop, and I do not.  But being with her is such a blessing in my life.  She shops, and I relish the time together.
10. I would go out for coffee with my sons.  Just listen and listen time. Sharing from the heart space.
11. I would learn to quilt.  I used to sew and loved my creativity.  There is something so special about a normal day in which one uses the right side of the brain for making something out of spare parts.  I used to say as a school teacher that when I do not grade papers any more, I would quilt.  It is time.
12. I would find the time to stroll the beach front, the lake front, or the creek.  Water has been such a healing for me since I was a small child.  My parents used to put me in my "Da's" boat to get me to sleep.  The gentle movement of water lulls me into a peaceful state.
13. I would eat better, weigh less, and exercise more.  Because you can never do that too much.  Especially if it is your hobby.
14. I would spend less time on the computer, the television, and the phone.  It robs us of quality time with our loved ones and friends.
15. I would meditate and pray more.  It adds years to your life and breath to your body.
16. I would sleep better.  I would not feel anxious about not sleeping.  I would be able to take a nap or rest for hours.  If you have never struggled with insomnia, it is difficult to understand this issue; if you have, enough said.
17. I would realize that my last 60 years have been a road map of God's grace and mercy; thus, letting go of the shame, blame, and embarrassment of whatever and wherever.  The next 40 years will be so much better if I can only let it go.  Each day it is my goal to embrace the present and release the past.
18. I would love my husband, children, grandchildren, and friends more.  Because you can never love enough.

Take some time and journal your 18 aspirations.  Self-reflection is a powerful tool for awareness and appreciation.

Mercy Comes from Mindfulness

God uses mercy, humility, and kindness to teach us to live from our hearts instead of just our ego-centric thoughts.  Whatever you are currently going through, this opportunity is for growth.  Change the way you look at "failure," and you will change the way you see your life.  You live in a body, earth suit, you have a fluctuating soul, mind, emotions, and you will always be a spirit.
Relationship issues involve two parts.  Your part and someone else's part.  You can only "grow" in mercy, humility, and kindness on your end.  The other person must also grow for healing to take place.
Let go of the past, the mistakes, the drama, the sadness, and embrace the people that you are traveling with...sometimes someone steps off the train of life unexpectedly, and you do not have the opportunity to make things right between you.
Peace is the most important thing, not who was right and who was wrong.

Survey Says...

Each year, Brian and I send out a survey to ask you how we are doing, what we could add, and interesting ideas of improvement.

Here is what we discovered:

• Later afternoon class at 5:00 pm instead of 4:30 pm
• You liked our specials
• Spin class on Tuesday mornings at 8:00 am 
• You liked our classes
• The Hot Yoga on Friday nights was a hit!
• You enjoyed Jeanne's teaching
• The Early Morning Sun Rise Yoga was inspirational at 6:00 am
• You wanted more yoga for beginner or gentle and moderate level practices
• The low cost kept many of you coming
• You thought our Spin classes in the morning should only be 30 minutes with 30 minutes of yoga following
• The welcome at the door, help with parking in the evening, and cleanliness of the studio were wonderful
• You liked the difficulty of the power classes
• The scholarships for students who could not afford to pay was a blessing
• You wanted more Yoga Therapy classes like the 9:30 am class on T/TH
• Tracy is a terrific Spin Instructor
• You appreciated the quality of our Restorative classes with Christine, Beth Ann, Beverly, and Debbie
• The timing was just right on the length of the class
• You enjoyed the practices and loved yoga variety.

Unfortunately, some of you did not receive the survey.  It had three questions...

1. What are your favorite classes and why?
2. What are your favorite times and why?
3. How can we serve you better?

It is not too late to respond to the survey answers.  Jessica Freeman won the drawing for essential oils and a diffuser necklace.

Thanks again for your answers!

Eat Right - at the Best Time, in the Best Atmosphere, to Create the Best Digestion

When we are stressed, we eat too fast.
When we are lonely, we eat too much.
When we are busy, we eat standing up.
When we are driving, we should never eat.
When we are arguing, we need to put down our fork.
When do we?  Overeating can be an issue for all of us during the holidays.
Here is a great article with Ayurvedic Principles for eating from Ayusante.com

25 Ayurvedic Principles for Eating Right

Now that we clearly understand some eating mistakes that we could be committing as well as Ayurveda's recommendations for eating right, let's have a look at the Ayurvedic principles for eating right:

• Eat only when you're hungry.
• Avoid eating before Sunrise or after Sunset.
• Consume your heaviest meal when the Sun is at its peak - lunch.
• Never eat while you're facing South. East should be preferred.
• Wash your face, hands and legs before a meal. Make sure the utensils are also clean.
• If you eat after Sunset, avoid sour foods.
• Meditate briefly before you eat the food to raise the energy.
• Eat and drink only while you're sitting.
• Eat only when the right nostril is free and open, drink only when the left nostril is functioning without blockage.
• Prefer freshly cooked food to one that is processed.
• Don't eat anything that you don't like. Your mind and body will not be happy or satiated.
• Don't eat anything that is too hot or too cold. Everything should be of moderate temperature.
• Never mix temperatures of food. Don't have something hot and cold at the same time.
• Don't talk or laugh while eating. Focus on eating more than anything else.
• Don't drink water after finishing a meal. Preferably, have water about half-an-hour before a meal. You are allowed to sip water while having your meal to aid digestion.
• Don't eat too fast or too slow.
• Don't snack between meals. You should drink lukewarm water when you have a craving.
• Over-greasy food is not good, neither is food that's too dry.
• Wash your face, hands and legs after the meal as well.
• Don't sleep or lie down within two hours of having a meal. It's bad for digestion.
• Don't do anything that requires a lot of physical or mental effort right after a meal.
• You can urinate right after eating, but try not to defecate for a few hours after a meal.
• Don't take tea half-an-hour before or after a meal.
• Make sure the meal during or after Sunset is not very heavy.
• Try to laugh after a meal - it promotes digestion.