Random recommendation

Even if you're not that spiritual, religious or into the faith-thing, this program is certainly worth a listen. I only ever catch the last few minutes of it on (surprise, surprise) NPR each Sunday as it is winding down as we're on our way to church on Sundays. The show is called Speaking of Faith. I typically take a moment to notice my amusement at the unique quality of the host, Krista Tippett's voice, then move on to note that the topics they cover are quite interesting and touch on a multitude of subjects. I'm not typically one to really get into programs that are preaching religion at me, but I am always interested in learning about faith, beliefs and cultures and examining present day issues through the lens of "faith" without the perceptions people project onto issues using faith as a mask for their own personal biases.

Anyway, for whatever reason, I've never made the effort to actuallylisten to a full program, despite my interest being piqued at times. This week, I remembered hearing, in the frantic drive to church, late as usual one Sunday morning (see #3 on my Quirk post) that they were going to have Seane Corn on the show. For those of you who don't know who she is or didn't follow the link, she is a yoga teacher here in the U.S. As far as yogi's go, she kinda has rock-star status right now. Her name is big and she's doing some amazing things with her time in the spotlight. She really is quite amazing to listen to and to learn from. I have taken 2 classes from her, one a teacher training and one a general class at a Yoga Journal Conference. I could listen to her for hours, just talk about yoga and what it has to teach us and how we can use yoga as a tool for self-transformation and by extension then to transform our world. She is very inspiring for me with regards to my own personal journey in yoga as well as in my constant battle with myself that there is always more I can be doing--for myself, my family, my community and hunanity in general....

Seane was featured in a Speaking of Faith spot called Yoga. Meditation in Action and I'm telling you, it was exactly what I needed to hear right now at this point in my life. For me, I'm finding it very easy to get overwhelmed right now: back at work, 2 children at home--one of whom is VERY dependent on me (and Swanny) right now, keeping up with taking care of our house, making time for things like actually fixing a good meal for my family, time for yoga?? are you kidding, and let's face it the state of many things in our country and our world right now (war, environment, economy, education--need I go on??). Seane's words were EXACTLY what I needed to hear....If you have time, check it out. I downloaded the show to my iPod (for free) and listened to it on my way to/from work the other day. I think you can download it to your computer as well...It was great. Check it out. I hope it helps you find some clarity and peace--it did for me!

Yoga in Idaho

So I've fallen down a little bit in my pledge to bring the shanti (peace) and enlightenment to the readers of My Life With Dogs by sharing my experience of yoga with you. What can I say, I've been selfishly hogging the enlightenment for myself and basking in the joy of playing with my nieces, nephew and daughter while on vacation. I do however have a few points to share today.

When you go on the road, take yoga with you!!

1) Yoga is good not only at home or in a yoga class, but also while on vacation. I was sure to pack my yoga mat in my suitcase and have unrolled it a few times since arriving at our destination. It's a nice way to loosen up your body when sleeping night after night on a strange bed (or on the floor) and after vigorous wrestling matches and sessions of basketball and football with your 5 year old nephew.


2) Yoga on the road is a great way to refocus, recharge and destress. We all know that when we are traveling or playing host to out-of-towners for that matter, tensions can build as can frustration and fatigue. A quick session on the mat is a great way to re-energize.


3) In my particular situation, practicing some yoga on the road is a blast because you can do it with 3 children under the age of 5, as demonstrated thus:






Please disgregard the large bottom in the far back, but the children did need a teacher. And in case you are wondering, that gentleman in the black jumpsuit is Spiderman who funnily enough turned out to actually be my nephew Jayden. And they've been telling us all this time it was that Peter Parker guy.

Anyway, the first pose we are in is Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana), great for strengthening and toning the spine and torso, strengthening the arms, opening the chest and lungs and is considered therapeutic for depression and asthma. Another view of it:



And that last pose we are all practicing is Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). This pose is another of my favorites and is good for stretching shoulders, hamstrings and calves, strengthening shoulders and legs, improving digestion, relieving headaches and fatigue and calming the mind...specific impact on children pictued above yet to be observed. Here it is again:

Until next time, Namaste!

YOGA~~Thought for the Day

For those of you who may not guessed already, this post has been composed by Jen not Swanny. :) Not being blog-savvy myself but inspired to share the knowledge, grace and inspiation Yoga has brought to my life, Swanny has offered me room on his blog. My aim is to have a weekly post in which I might share tidbits of yoga with "My Life With Dogs" readers.

YOGA--The pracitce of yoga is thousands of years old with roots in India, where the practice was passed from teacher (guru) to student orally and through physical demonstration and practice. The word Yoga comes from sanskrit and is translated to mean "to yoke", "to bind" or "union." Union of the breath and the body through the physical practice of postures is typically what "yoga" means to people today, although many other applications of this translation may be considered. Traditional yoga is thought to have been born when an Indian sage, Patanjali, combined information into a text called "The Yoga Sutras." The Yoga Sutras described an eight-limbed path, the pursuit and practice of which are thought to lead an individual to an enlightened state of being. According to the Sutras, the third limb of the path is asana, or the practice of physical postures. Asana practice is designed to build strength and stamina, tone and lengthen the muscles and purify the body and mind.
That being said, let me share an asana with you:



Virabhadrasana II or Warrior II Pose

My favorite asana (pose), which helps strengthen while stretching the legs and hips, it stimulates the abdominal organs, stretches and opens the hips and shoulders, and builds confidence and stamina. This pose to me embodies the balance yoga encourages between effort and surrender in our practice. A firey pose that invigorates your body, breath and practice.
Try holding it for 5-10 breaths and don't forget to do each side!

Until next time, Namaste.