A Heartfelt Salute to the Sun

If you have not yet read my Why All This Yoga post, I suggest you do before reading any further...they are interconnected.

A year ago today, someone I loved very much passed away.  I have found myself thinking about her a lot lately, especially for the last week.  It seems that whenever a kind of anniversary comes up, even one as saddening as this, we tend to concentrate on these people or incidences more deeply.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her, even if it is just for a second, but oddly enough when the one year mark comes up, it seems to be even more sad.  I guess we attach a lot of meaning to anniversaries.  Personally, I find these times more difficult because I start to recall where I was, exactly a year ago.  For the last week I kept thinking "Well, this time last year I was at the hospital with her", or, "This time last year, at this very minute, I got that troubling phone call notifying me that she had passed...".  So it is in the reminiscing of these moments that make this time hard.  When this was all happening, I didn't go to work for days, so I could be near her and the family.  When I had to go back to work, I would go straight to the hospital afterwards but not without making a quick pit stop to pick up coffees for everyone, who sat by her side for days, waiting for what we were told was the inevitable.  During this unfortunate time, I learned a lot about myself and my loved ones.  I learned that we are strong, and that we care for each other more than words can ever describe, and that I could ever fathom.  I desperately tried to be a pillar of strength for everyone, but at times forgot that I am human and had to let myself feel all the emotions that were trying so desperately to escape me.  My mom put it best- she said "You're just like me: you freeze your brain when things get tough."  So perhaps my brain has still been slightly frozen for the last year, but slowly and slowly, I start to let the feelings out, whenever I feel they need to be liberated.

So I find myself today, sitting behind my computer, feeling like I need to do something more than hold back tears.  I unfortunately cannot make it to my yoga class this afternoon, but I will be doing something in lieu of that.  When I go home today, I want to do something for her.  What better way to honor someone but by dedicating a yoga practice to them?  I will do many Sun Salutations, and dedicate them to her.  My chest will be up towards the sky, and my heart will be open to her.  When my arms and hands are up, I will feel her fingertips lightly touching mine.  I will direct all my positive energy, my strength and my love up near her.  In exchange, I know I will feel her love come down towards me.  I have become a more dedicated yoga student through her life, and through her death.  Today, this posting along with my several rounds of Sun Salutations are for you, Deb.  Love you.  Miss you.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Hump Day Happies: Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With Strings...

I make lists.  Pretty much all the time.  I make lists before I pack for a trip, because if not I am convinced that I will forget something integral like deoderant or a toothbrush.  I make lists of things I need to get done daily at work to avoid the paranoid feeling that accompanies the notion that something hasn't been done.  But now, I have decided to make another list.  This time, however, it isn't a list of things to do or items to pack.  It's a list of things that make me happy.  Yes, Julie Andrews sang about these things, and look at how happy she and the Von Trapp children were!  So here is, in no particular order, a collection of 20 people and things that make me smile.

1. My family
2. My friends
3. Vinny
4. Roxanne
5. Yoga (Duh!)
6. Drinking tea
7. Listening to Johnny Cash on a rainy day
8. Listening to The Beach Boys on a sunny day
9. Walking through Lafontaine Park
10. Singing in the Rain (the activity and the movie!)
11. Tasting new food and loving it
12. Baking
13. Singing in the shower when Vinny isn't home and praying that my neighbours don't hear me
14. Being the first to dip a knife in a fresh jar of peanut butter
15. Lemurs
16. Watching General Hospital and drooling over Dante
17. Going through old books my parents used to read to me when I was little
18. Doudou, my blanky
19. Spooning
20. Going to Ikea, anytime.

There are so many more, but this is just a preview.  Now, I have just re-read through my list and an even brighter smile appeared on my face.  So on this Hump Day, take the time to make a quick list of the people and things you love- you'll feel as though your smile, and your heart, just grew 10 times bigger.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Position of the Week: Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Benefits: A wonderful pose to go into if you are feeling sad, stressed, or simply need to calm your brain.  It stretches your shoulders and neck, stimulates the abdominal organs and will tone your legs and buttocks.  It will improve your digestion, relieve symptoms of menopause, reduce fatigue and is great  therapy for asthma, sinusitus and infertility.

Is there anything thise pose doesn't do?  Honestly, it might seem kind of difficult, but once you are comfortable enough to go into it, it feels absolutely life changing- and I'm not even overdramatizing it.  If there one thing I love about a strong yoga practice is the sequencing of the asanas.  I have yet to master my own perfect routine, but once I start my teacher training, I will finally learn in depth the benefits of having certain asanas follow each other.  With regards to Shoulder Stand, it feels just wonderful after going into a Hheadstand.  As my fabulous teacher put it, a Headstand is a warming position.  You feel every little rush of fire flow through your veins as you support yourself upside down.  A Shoulder Stand is a cooling position.  By going into it after being upside down, the balance of hot and cold finds its place in the middle, creating a harmony of energy in your body that leaves you feeling revitalized. After this simple sequences is done and you find your way down, it is as though your entire being just melts into the mat beneath you.  It is a pose that lets you feel so strong, but at the same time so calm.  Kind of as though you are a delicate feather, but sturdy in the wind- does that make sense?  All this to say- give it a try.  I personally like to place a folded mat underneath my shoulders, to alleviate any extra stress on the back of my neck.  And then, just breathe in and let the pose carry you away.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Om Sweet Om

If you have been reading my bloga consistently, most of you are probably aware by now that I am quite fond of Mont-Royal Avenue. It is a 5 mintue walk from my place, which makes all my errands and tasks so much more enjoyable. I can do my groceries, go to the drug store, grab a bite to eat or even a quick drink, all by foot. However, another thing I love is being able to enjoy some peace and quiet- this is not always the scenario when living on The Plateau. True, it is far more peaceful than other areas on the Island, but having grown up in the suburbs has left me with this lingering feeling that the lifestyle in the small town I grew up in still has a delicate spot in my heart.

Vinny and I made a decision, and here I am, ready to share it with you. I, Lady Lotus, am leaving the fresh and hip lifestyle of the Plateau, and will be moving back to the burbs- to the town we both grew up in. And you know what? I am so excited! We are going to have a house, not an appartment, with a backyard, not a fire escape, and a garden, not a potted plant. And now, for the creme de la creme...I am going to have my very own yoga room. It’s a struggle for me to even practice by myself in my tiny appartment now, without having to move a whole bunch of furniture around to find a place for my mat. Now, I will have an entire room dedicated to practicing yoga. I can even have friends over to practice with me. Once my teacher training begins, part of my homework is going to be to teach classes to friends so that I can practice- now we will be able to do it in the comfort of my own home. I snooped around a few shops last week, scrounging for deco inspiration and came across some nice pieces. Not only am I smitten at the thought of having a space to do yoga, but also to simply have my space. It will be my own little private escape. I promise to post pictures of my yoga sanctuary once it’s complete, but you will have to be patient since we are only moving July 1st.

I will also be able to do yoga privately outdoors, in the backyard. That is something I love- clearing the state of my mind with the fresh air whistling around me, birds chirping and wind chimes chiming. Sigh, Is it July yet??

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Okay, so the yoga room won't look quite like this...but a girl can dream, right?

Water Your Yoga Tree of Life

Although I believe that every day should be Earth Day, I am going to take advantage of this designated day and wish you all a Happy Earth Day!

When you step outside today make sure to take in a deep breath, and remind yourself how lucky we are to be surrounded by such beauty.  Touch the grass and thank it for keeping the ground cushioned.  Blink into the sun and thank it for keeping you warm.  Hug a tree and thank it for giving you shade, oxygen and a home for our birds.  Smell a flower and thank it for surrounding us with such a lovely aroma.  Show appreciation for all that Mother Nature has offered to us, and help keep all that she has created strong.  If you practice yoga today, dedicate your practice to her- I know I will!

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Hump Day Happies: A Tale in the Telling

I recognized something inside of me this past weekend: I just love hearing people tell stories about their past.  Now, I don't mean having someone give me an account of something that happened to them last week- though there are chances that those stories will be interesting.  But I'm talking about someone who is older, lets say your parents' age or your grandparents' age, recaling a moment that happened in their lives decades ago.  Growing up I always wanted to have an old man or lady as a neighbour. I had seen so many movies of people sitting on their neighbour's decks, listening to stories of war, first loves, lost loves...

I met an older man this weekend who started his own story with "I had such a great bike back when I was 17 or 18..." Right away, all I could do was try my best to listen while envisioning this older man as a teenager, growing up in the 60s, riding his motorcycle.  I tried to picture what he looked like, what color his hair was and what kind of clothing he was wearing.  What impressed me the most was the excitement he had present in his voice when talking about his old motorcycle.  It made me realize that beneath the wrinkles, the grey hairs, the sweater vests and the psychology degrees, this man still carried his youthful passion on his sleeve.  That is when I found myself thinking how truly amazing it must feel to recount the happy moments we tend to label as our past.  Yes, they may have happened years ago, but recalling them can still leave you with a warm sensation inside.  I also sat down with my mom on Sunday, and she told me from beginning to end stories I had never heard in such great detail before: her wedding, the days my brothers were born, the day I was born...The connection I already shared with my mom seemed to become even stronger because we took the time to sit down together and talk about the past.  I envisioned myself, 20 years from now, maybe even 40 years from now, talking to my family and saying "Let me tell you about this yoga teacher I once had..." or "Did I ever tell you about the first time I did yoga?" It's these kinds of stories that allow us to seep into someone's soul, and pull away an account of something we maybe hadn't known was there.  What we know of someone on the surface might seem obvious, but having them open their mouths and start sharing stories with us is such a great way to really know someone, and to get excited about recalling your own past, in the future. 

So on this Hump Day (and what a sunny one at that!), lets look forward to sharing our own life's stories.  Growing old doesn't all have to be sagging skin and hearing aids.  Lets start locking our most precious memories inside this vault we call our brain, and make sure we share them with people for the years to come.  It will make you smile, and make others around you smile, too.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Namastyle

One of my co-workers/friend/fellow blogger asked me to collaborate with her on a piece she wanted to include in her blog. Ari (who also inspired me to start my Yoga Board of Inspiration) is the talented mind behind She Dreams at Night, a blog about everything related to fashion, and more.  So if mine is a bloga, does that make hers a flog? Haha, I had to say it.  Ok, back on topic...she wanted to include a post about yoga and fashion, and I was extremely honoured when she approached me to write it.  So my friends, below is what I came up with...enjoy!

If there is one thing I have learned in the last two years while practicing yoga regularly, it’s that yoga is the practice of non-judgment. I find it integral to leave your ego at the door in order to prosper from a rejuvenating and terrific yogic experience. This can mean many things, such as not worrying about how flexible you are, not comparing yourself to the person beside you and not pushing yourself over and above your own personal limit. But let’s get straight to another fundamental point- after all, this is a fashion blog, right? To me, the practice of non-judgment also means not worrying about what you’re wearing while doing yoga. It is so important to be comfortable- the last thing you want is your pants riding while in Warrior II, or your tank top straps slipping down your arms when trying to perform Reverse Half-Moon. However, in order to find comfort, you need to find yoga clothes that are of a good quality. This is where the most taxing of questions comes along…

Where do I find first-rate yoga attire? Okay, ask yourself this question a second time- what is the first place that comes to mind? Chances are you answered Lululemon. Yes, they have such nice clothes, and a lot of choice. They are one of the biggest mainstream yoga retailers. Unfortunately, they also have a price tag accompanied with each piece of clothing that may not please your bank account! You need to collect all your pennies in order to afford most of the clothing in their store. I know, I know, their pants make your butt look fabulous. But people, let us not forget the golden rule: yoga = non-judgment. No one will be checking out your buns when in Downward Facing Dog, because they’ll all be staring at the back wall, just like you. But of course, I didn’t want to be judgmental- I need to practice what I preach! So I even went straight to the source. I asked a good friend of mine, who worked there for a long time, what are so special about their clothes that their tank tops have to marked up to $70? Her answer? “Meh, it’s over-priced…” So with regards to this specific topic, a jacked-up price tag does not necessarily mean better quality. I myself am a Costco girl. They carry Danskin, a great clothing line for yoga enthusiasts. I have bought 5 pairs of yoga pants there, all below 15$. Some are just cotton, while others have spandex in them. And you know what? I have been wearing them and practicing in them for years. They don’t give my wedgies, and they don’t split down the middle. I think my butt looks pretty darn good in them too, if I do say so myself. I also bought yoga tops at Costco for about $10, and I am never worried about an out of control boob popping out or having the shirt ride up my torso. I have washed the clothes numerous times, let them air-dry, put them in the dryer, folded them, stepped on them…they are all flawless. So while some of you may want to show off the little logo on the back of your pants or your top, remember: no one is paying attention to that minor detail.  If you have the means to spend a bit more dough on the clothing you want, by all means, spend away, but won't it feel great to save some money?  For the most serious and determined yoga practitioner, it isn’t the clothes that will make you feel good about yourself- only you can do that.


Namaste,
Lady Lotus