What do you do, when you have nothing to do?

I woke up this morning at 4 am, ugh!  Not a morning person.  I couldn’t go back to sleep so I started my coffee and thought I’ll watch an episode of a TV show as a little treat.  My thinking was that If I watch my show at 4 am it won't interfere with the list of chores I have to do today.  But fate had other plans for me, the internet is down.  The internet is my TV since we don’t have cable ( nor want cable) I watch a few things on Netflix and Amazon Prime. So no TV and also no Facebook or email to read.  I felt kinda lost, my little treat time has been taken, disappointment is making my other options look not so good.  I could quilt, or read, or embroider, or knit,  or do my yoga practice or or or, but I’m not.  Why is it when we get our mindset, it is to so hard to change it?  The internet being down is actually an opportunity for me to do any of those things, all of which I love to do and often wish I had more time for.  SO don’t look a disappointment as a loss, try to find the opportunity in it.  I’ve got quilt to make for a new grandson 

Yoga and Me

PEARLS OF WISDOM,

Yoga does not get easier,  You get better.

Most of the time when I mention to a friend that I do yoga they say something like, “Oh, I could never fold like a pretzel” or “I can’t stand on my head!” Why do we automatically jump to the conclusion that we can’t do something when it is proven to be so good for us? Is it fear of the unknown or the misunderstood.  Fear of failure? Or is it the photos we see of pretty little twiggy girls bent in half smiling that sets an unreachably high bar for us? 

Yoga increases strength, core strength that is so vitally important as we age. Yoga increases flexibility of body and mind.  Yoga reduces stress, improves sleep and respiration.  Yoga does not cost a fortune, and you can start today in your own home.

Let’s dispel a few myths about yoga.

** You do not need to be a twiggy 20 something to do yoga.  Yoga may lead to weight loss and increased efficient digestion.  You can, however, practice yoga with middle-aged pudge.  Yoga is gentle, never forced and if it hurts you’re doing too much.  Everyone progresses at their own pace and should take it one step at a time.  Can’t touch your toes, that’s ok, touch your skins or knees.  Slowly relax and stretch a bit more and work up to it (or down to it, as the case may be)

**You have a bad back or bad knees, can’t get on the floor.  Yoga does not need to be on the mat on the floor.  You can yoga in a chair.  Leg lift and stretch. Twist side to side. Shoulders and neck and worked on.

** You’re too embarrassed to take a class..  Check out your local adult Ed or community center.  They often offer classes that are not in a gym full of twiggies.  If you’re still worried, call and ask what the average age of the class is.  Ask if it is beginner appropriate. Ask what you should bring, mat, water bottle, socks etc.  An added benefit to taking classes at a community center or adult ed is that they are usually low cost.   And if you still can’t bring yourself to go to a public class,,, look on YouTube, free yoga!!

** Your too tired to do yoga, ( a yoga buddy actually said this to me when she missed class)  Yoga will give you energy.  Not a run a marathon type energy but a calm, deep feeling of satisfaction and happiness.  Morning yoga sets the tone for the day. 

Most of us have taken care of family all of our adult life, now we deserve to shift our focus to ourselves.  Heal your body, strengthen your body and open your mind to a new experience