Lesley Hobbs Yoga

Yoga Days 442-449 - here's your sign!!

When the hustle and bustle of holidays casts a gloom over your heart; this is a sign that yoga could be part of your future.

When you realize you can't tie your shoes as easily as you could last holiday season; this is a sign you might want to consider yoga.

When you are making the same new year's resolutions for 2011 that you made for 2010 (and 2009, 2008 etc...); this is a sign yoga may be for you.

When being with your family makes you clench your jaw; this is a sign that yogic breathing may offer some tools.

When you are ready to take the steps to a better life; this is a sign you are ready to begin a yoga practice.

I credit all that is good in my life to my yoga practice. Yoga has taken me from pain to complete relief, from depression to deep-rooted happiness, from mediocre to fully alive.

Namaste.

Yoga Days 434 - 441: incessant ramblings

We are at a crossroads with our family and the last month we have been looking as far down every possible path to help us better decide where it is we want to go. The choices are not too important, at least not here, but I came to an interesting awareness this morning and credit my daily walks and yoga with bringing me here.

Many mornings in the winter it is dark, cold and wet and I have an ongoing conversation in my head... "Oh, I don't have to walk this morning... I can do it later... the dogs will be fine... I am too tired... not feeling great... blah, blah, blah". Seriously, how silly am I? I did this routine again this morning and took myself out anyway. Boy, it was freezing, I forgot the poopy bags and the trail was closed due to flooding,  which cut the walk a little short. And yet, I felt exhilarated when I returned home. I always feel exhilarated after my walk. In my lucid moments I understand why I go; it is the space I create for myself, the beating heart, the happy dogs, the feeling of being fully alive.

I confess to having similar conversations regarding my yoga practice and again, I see my silliness. I go to my yoga mat, my body feels stiff and often old, I have "stuff" to do that calls my name as I move from pose to pose. And as I lie in Savasana I feel peace and bliss and swear I will never again fight the draw of the mat.

Till the next time!!

How does any of this relate to big life choices? Simple. It's not about the walk or the yoga; it is about how I feel, how I am connected to something more, how I want to experience this wonderful journey on earth. 

I realized that we were looking at the choices from the wrong perspective. We need to look at the options from how we feel, what we want to feel, experience and how we want to connect to each other, our children and the greater community.

To tell the truth, I am not sure this has changed our options but it has certainly reminded me to ignore the rambling arguments and to make any decisions based on our core values and needs.

I wonder will I still fight myself tomorrow when is time to walk and practice yoga???

Namaste.

Yoga Days 432, 433 - back to class

I am not sure if you are aware of this, dear reader, but being a yoga teacher is a calling rather than a career (at least for me!!) and as such I don't make a whole lot of money from it. This is my choice; I love what I do and would hate to have to teach more classes just because I need to earn more money.

That said, one of the generous benefits I have received from studios where I have taught is the ability to take class from other teachers at no cost. This allows me to check out the various teachers, drop in as my schedule allows and enjoy a variety of yoga experiences. Sounds wonderful except I never take class!!

I have been more than a little remiss in my daily practice in the past few months and am probably down to 5 days a week. I decided I needed help and today took myself of to a lunch time class and had a great time.

I often use my physical limitations as a reason why I do not take class but as long as I listen to my body and take breaks as needed I can pretty much hold my own. The teacher today was great and offered me a chance to experience her style of yoga in my own way.

I believe in yoga, I believe in setting yourself up for success and I believe in asking for support and guidance from others. Taking a couple of classes each week checks each of these blocks in ways my home practice does not and for this reason I am declaring my intention to show up as a student more often.

Want to join me?

Namaste.

Yoga Days 427-431: Changing Kipling's "If" (just a little)

I hope you like my adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's "If" (see italics):

I have long struggled with some of the words while loving the poem in its entirety. Sadly, my version does not rhyme nearly as well as the original!!

If you can calm your head when all about you
there is chaos, and temptation to do;
If you can trust yourself when you want to doubt,
And make allowance for your doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, given option to lie don't deal in lies,
Given option to hate, choose not to hate,
And remember to breathe deep when needing to be wise;


If you can dream - and allow your dreams to soar;
If you can think - and not allow your thoughts to roar;
If you can meet with triumph and with pain
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you know
Twisted by your thoughts and those of others,
Or watch the things you love disappear and go,
And remain ready to help with open heart;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can turn your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve another long after you are weary,
And so hold on and give when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which manifests Divine love;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with the wealthy and not lose a humble touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can sway you;
If all can count on you, in every way;
If you can practice yoga every minute
Accepting grace and sharing it with all -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - even more - you'll find sacred peace within !

Namaste.

(That which is Divine in me acknowledges that which is Divine in you.)