Yoga Reflection Journal

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory." I have a garden which I love Once in a while it looks perfect All the watering, feeding, pruning and love Add up to a moment of beauty Then I think.... If only I could keep it this way Preserve this moment for ever But my garden is alive Time and seasons bring changes Living things must change Life is like a garden Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved Except in memory I am a living thing which must change If I can accept the changes, I can accept myself And when I can accept myself, I can enjoy the changes And the beauty of the changes In the garden of my life  by Leonard Nimoy

Yin Yoga directs the stimulation normally created in the asana portion of the practice deeper than the superficial or muscular tissues. Yin Yoga works the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and the joints of the body that normally are not exercised very much in a more active style of asana practice.  Yin Yoga mainly targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. All floor based poses. The poses held for many minutes were challenging but deeply loosening and relaxing. The extended flexibility lasted for days. The practice of Yin Yoga is a wonderful compliment to the Yang of Hatha Yoga. It provides a wonderful balance to the body for the practice of yoga. Teacher : Cheryl Edwards 2 hour workshop with 1 hour QiGong 2018

As pranayama involves an expansion of the breath, asanas can be used prior to open the chest in preparation. Mountain Pose Tadasana opens up the shoulders and begins chest opening. Lifting the arms up overhead continues this process. Putting the back up against a wall prevents the lower back hollowing and stabiles the trunk. Trikonasana Triangle Pose can identify asymmetries and enable correction. Pranayama can be practiced sitting or lying with the focus on maintaining the chest opening gained from the preparation. Using a wall to support the back and feel alignment is useful. Lying over a folded blanket, blocks or a bolster encourages more chest opening.

The fourth pranayama technique. The cessation of movement in the breath. Experience of stillness. Gradual practice, full expression to able acquired by gradual diminishing of the distance covered by the movement of the breath in exhalation as well as inhalation. Not sound to be heard. Breath from the diaphragm. Experience of stillness as the breath feels like it has stopped. Not similar to holding the breath or any type of retention but more of a feeling of the air existing and being shared with the universe to maintain life. The breath feels more and more invisible. But the ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide feels completely different. Almost like there isn't enough oxygen, bringing a state or feeling alert but also very calm.

The quality of your breath is the quality of your life. How you breath is how you live your life. Breath deeper longer breaths for a deeper longer life. Balance between the inhalation and the exhalation. Conciousness is being the present moment. We can expand the present moment through yoga practice For self exploration and self realisation. Ourselves is all of us. Not just the physical body.

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither. Alan Cohen

BREATHE by Madisen Kuhn Don’t forget to get away every once in awhile, To lose yourself in a book  Or in the woods behind your home Ride your bike into the sunset, Sit on your front steps and count the cars passing by, Lay on your roof and gaze up at the night sky, Drive along backroads with the windows rolled down Listening to nothing but the sound of rushing wind I hope you take the time to be alone, To sort through the cluttered shelves of your heart I hope you take the time to be silent, To close your eyes and just listen I hope you take the time to be still, To quiet your mind and experience the beauty  Of simply Being In a world that tells us we should always be  Connected, on the go, and doing something worth sharing, I hope you know it’s okay to  Disconnect, slow down, and keep some memories Between you and the moment you shared it with.