It's the TRYING that heals you!

As I sat down in the reception room to read a book, I came across that phrase..."It's the trying that heals you."

It clicked.

I had an epiphany.

You see, none of us is really good at yoga.

None of us keep perfectly faithful to low carbs all the time.

Every one has Up days, Down days, and days we just don't feel as motivated or as energetic as we would like.

So, remember, "It's the trying that heals you."

Yoga people are the ones who just get back up the next day and try, try again.

*****

So, if you suck at balancing.  Try some more.

If you gain instead of lose, today is a good day to start over.

If you mess up in twists and they are uncomfortable.  Keep on twisting.

If you ate too many carbs and feel bloated again, just begin again.

If you want to do the yoga poses, a body part is painful or resists your efforts, keep on moving it.

If you don't like to meditate, I get it.  Neither do I.  But, I keep on meditating.

If you think the breath practice is boring, keep on slowing down the exhale.  

If you imagine that yoga is a waste of your day, exercise is too time consuming, or cardio is just too hard, keep getting on your mat, putting on your tennis shoes, and setting aside that time.

It's the trying that heals you. Plant that tree now.  Stop procrastinating.

Failed...but Not a FAILure

I have failed tests.  In fact, my first Cooper Institute exam, the words came up on the computer screen at the testing center, 

"You failed."

I have failed my children as a mom.

I have failed at a job and have been let go.

I have failed at keeping promises.

I have failed at my business.

I have failed at times as a teacher.

I have failed a friendship or two.

I have failed myself.

I have failed to live up to my Christian ideals.

I have failed at yoga poses.

I have failed at losing weight and keeping it off.

But, here is the BEST NEWS...

I am not a "FAILure."

Neither are you.

Don't stop now.

What is the difference between a failed attempt and a failure?  The ability to keep on trying.  Failing can create bitterness or humility.  I am choosing the second one, and also I am choosing to never give up.  My tattoo reminds me, "nevertheless, she persisted."

God's mercies are new every morning.

Old things have passed away and behold all things are made new.

I retook that Cooper Institute exam in December of 2009, and I passed.  Now I just recertified again for three more years.  It was the hardest and most difficult test I ever took on a computer, but the life lessons have been so much harder to let go off personally.  I had to forgive myself and others.  Choose to be better and move forward.

Never give up.

Namaste'

Jeanne K

P.S.  No, I was spot on with my carb count yesterday.  But, I felt this message bubbling up within me.  So, whoever this is for:  You are not a failure if you keep on trying.

Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel, quitting, or just resigning?  Tell me your story.

Muscle Movement

Action of the Joints =

Prime Mover Muscles;

Yoga Poses with Weights

Shoulder Flexion = Anterior Deltoid, Pectoralis Major; Shoulder Press and Frontal Raise in Warrior I

Shoulder Extension = Latissimus Dorsi, Posterior Deltoid; Lat Pull Down in Standing Balancing Poses, like Tree, Crab or Reverse Table

Shoulder Abduction = Middle Deltoid, Supraspinatus (one of the four Rotator Cuff muscles); Lateral Raise with thumbs up in Warrior II

Shoulder Adduction = Latissiumus Dorsi, Pectoralis Major, Teres Major; Chest Press or Woodchopper in Bridge Pose

Shoulder Horizontal Abduction (Scapulae Retraction - moving the shoulder blades towards the midline of the back) = Posterior Deltoid, Rhomboids, and Middle Trapezius; Reverse Fly in Warrior II

Shoulder Horizontal Adduction (Scapulae Protraction - moving the shoulder blades away from one another) = Pectoralis Major, Anterior Deltoid, Serratus Anterior;  High Plank, Forearm Plank, and Chest Fly in Bridge

Elbow Flexion = Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Brachioradialis; Bicep Curls in Warrior I, Hammer Curls in Goddess, and Arms Extended at shoulder height in Warrior II

Elbow Extension = Triceps; Tricep Extension in Pyramid, Tricep Extension in hands behind the neck and straightening the arms in a Balancing Pose like Standing Pigeon or Eagle

Trunk Flexion; Lateral Trunk Flexion = Rectus Abdominis, Obliques, Quadratus Lumborum Triangle with hand weights. Side Planks with weights or none, Forward Folds

Trunk Extension = Erector Spinae muscle group; Locust Pose with or without weights, Cobra

Hip Flexion = Ilio-Psoas; Knee to Chest in Lunge Kicks with weights at side or add in overhead press

Hip Extension with Leg Straight = Gluteus Maxiumus; Warrior III, Curtsy Squats

Hip Extension with Knee Bent = Hamstrings;  Bridge Pose with leg pulses

Hip Abduction = Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus; Half Balancing Moon and Modified Gate or Side Plank with leg lift and heel/toe parallel to the floor

Hip Adduction =  Adductor Magnus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Gracilis; Revolved Triangle and Twisted Pyramid

Knee Flexion = Hamstrings (Semimembraneous, Semitendinosis, Biceps Femoris); Donkey lifts from Table Top or Quadriped

Knee Extension = Quadriceps (Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, Rectus Femoris); Standing Mountain with Extended Leg in front of you with weights or no weights

Ankle Plantar Flexion = Gastrocnemius, Soleus (calf muscles); Standing Mountain or Chair Pose with Heel Lift

Ankle Dorsal Flexion = Tibialis Anterior (shin muscle); Lying on the back with feet on the wall for toe flaps keeping heels on wall or walking on heels with weights

Jeanne teaches these classes on Friday (12:00 pm no sun salutes), Tuesday (5:45 pm with Sun Salutes, Thursday (5:45 pm with Sun Salutes) and in January Monday (4:30 pm no sun salutes)