What it has taken me 33 years to learn

Love this…

The Justin McElroy Institute

-You can be funny and kind or funny and cruel. The second one is easier, but the first one is worth it.

-Dip the french fry in the Frosty. Go on, try it.

-Habit is a powerful force we forget about until it’s turned against us. Be careful which ones you create.

-You will remember the most embarrassing crap you do in your life forever and in perfect clarity. Everyone else will remember the kindest things you do. It all comes out in the wash.

-If you’re doing a remote podcast, it’s worth it to record audio locally and mix it together. Trust me on this one.

-You’re the only one who can let go of your grudges. It’s worth it, I promise. They’re not doing you any good.

-Doing the good, brave, kind things can feel silly if you let your internal critic get in the way. Reminder: No…

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Our Pinoy Paisanos: 16 Ways You Can Help The Philippines

good resources about how we can help after the tragedy Phillipines

I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts

Anyone who has ever worked on ships has, without a doubt, worked with dozens of Filipinos. They are our co-workers, our friends and our family.

Over the weekend our ship life paisanos were faced the devastating destruction of their home. One of the strongest storms in recorded history, Typhoon Haiyan, killed an estimated 10,000 people. To put that number into perspective combine the casualties from Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy and 9/11… and double it.

Between managers, A/V crew and random friendly faces in the staff bar, I have a long list of Filipinos who hold a special place in my heart. So as I watched the death toll climb as Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the islands, I held my breath and prayed for my friends.

I have sent messages to some and not heard back from any. So what can I do to help while I wait to hear from…

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Discover your Own Fifth Element (July 2013)

My first series at Bliss Flow Yoga ( http://www.blissflowyoga.com) starts up July 2nd!  Discover Your Own Fifth Element with me as we groove out to some awesome music from the movie The Fifth Element and find the elements within ourselves.  The series will begin July 2nd with the class Earth.  This will be a grounding practice to start off our series.  From there we will move onto Wind, Rain, Fire, and finally the Fifth Element… a surprise.   What do YOU think it is?

Here is the Lineup… Tuesday Classes are from 6 – 7 pm and Saturday classes are from 8 – 9:15 am

Tuesday July 2nd:  Earth – a grounding practice that will start off the series

Saturday July 6:  Wind- discover how light you can be as we break into some “flying” poses and try to get airborne

Tuesday July 9:  Rain – feel the flowing movements of your body as we explore the fluidity of movement and our bodies

Saturday July 13:  Fire – stoke your inner fire as I lead us through a fast paced and invigorating practice that will leave you ready to start your weekend

Tuesday July 16:  The Fifth Element – Discover what your own fifth element is as we explore some challenging poses

Saturday July 20:  Recap – Come flow with me as we rediscover some of the more challenging poses from this series and end with some uber relaxation

I truly hope you will join me on July 2nd for the kickoff of the series.

Namaste,

diane

 

Finding Balance and Slowing Down

As winter approaches, there is a chill in the air and a sense of doom looming on the horizon.  No, I’m not talking about demons or ghosts or even the newest episode of Walking Dead.  The dread I feel comes from the approaching holiday season. (*Insert scary music here*)  In past years I have tried so diligently to plan out my gifts and my activities so that I won’t run into that last minute frenzy, but year after dreaded year I end up waiting till the last minute and trying to squeeze in new and exciting gift ideas or activities.  This year I have a plan… and it is going to be more mentally taxing than anything I’ve ever tried before.  This year… I am SLOWING DOWN!  OMG… yes, really.

To give you a little background, my predominant dosha is Vata.   If you have not read anything about Doshas or Ayurvedic Medicine, take this fun little quiz found here -> http://doshaquiz.chopra.com/.  During the winter, people with a Vata dosha, tend to become even more flighty and energetic.  This explains a LOT about me and my holiday routine.  I am usually happiest when I have about 10 projects all going at the same time.  I enjoy flitting around to project after project

I am all about breaking down my own boundaries and trying new things.  So, that being said, I issued myself a challenge:  “Don’t take on any new projects till after the holidays.”  Yep… seemed so simple, so obvious.  Just don’t take on any new projects… finish what you already have started.  Let me tell you… It has been a challenge!

I’ve had to check myself whenever some new idea pops into my head.  I even have a list of things I want to start after the new year.  At least I will have time to think about whether I actually want to start them for the next couple of months.  It has been really good for me even though it has been hard.  I am able to concentrate on projects I have already started and even get back to some that I have let fall by the wayside.  I have a good schedule for the holidays so that I am pacing everything out.  Maybe that’s a bit too organized, but I am determined to have a relaxing time this winter so I was willing to pull out the big girl organizing pants.

I really feel that this is an important thing to try.  I have been noticing that the more projects I have, the less likely I am able to have time to sit down and just be.  And really, isn’t that one of the limb of yoga?  I’ve been looking more and more into meditation.  I even took a free course by Vishali Varga not too recently.  One of the ideas that really stuck with me from her lessons was the idea of meditating everywhere.  Restricting yourself to simply meditating on a mat or walking in the woods or having certain criteria before allowing yourself to withdraw your senses and slow down is simply another way of placing boundaries on your meditation practice.  By shedding these, we are able to more fully experience a state of enlightenment.  Hopefully by slowing down and focusing more fully on the projects I already have going, I will be able to embody this concept and shed some of these criteria I have about meditating.

What have you tried lately to enhance your yoga practice?  More time on the mat?  Trying to meditate?  Comment and let me know.