As I sit to write this I have a pot of chai started on the stove. We are going away to NH for a week and it seemed like a good thing to have on hand as I anticipate brisk walks in the fall foliage or sitting by a fire. We are headed for a hybrid week of working remotely for me and vacation (hoping that it is more vacation than work as intended). Working remotely for me always makes it harder to “turn it off” and in my current role (in banking not yoga!) this is exacerbated. ♎⚖️
This week I am encouraging us all to take time for some recharging, one of my favorite themes, and not to let that which brings us joy cause us stress! My yoga brings me much joy, it has helped me learn to be in the moment, not forever planning and making lists. It has taught me to breathe. For someone who is very likely type A, yoga has truly been a blessing, I try never to make it into a curse. I know that I am headed to the dark side, however, on a day that while I may have gone for a walk, and then realize, shoot, I did not do any boats (navasana)! Or when I feel stumped for ideas or time for a blog post. Rather than perseverate, I remind myself that yoga is not just asana practice, it is whatever we do that yokes the mind breath and body. It is also ok, when life happens, to not practice or exercise at all, or write a new blog. I am sure you have times in your life that even your favorite things can cause that overwhelming feeling. Recognizing that a big part of self-care is acknowledging when your day has been full/busy enough and what you need at that moment is to just be is vital. I have grown a great appreciation for shorter practices, 20 minutes tucked in between work and dinner or a 15 minute walk around a place I have never been in my daily travels and, yes, recycling some blog topics. Believe it or not, somedays are just fine without boats! 🚣🏽♂️⛵🛶
I am trying to keep the commitment I made to myself just after the pandemic to keep the pace a bit slower and savor the things that I love. So this week, let’s focus on taking time to “practice” both on and off the mat. Moving our bodies (walking, biking, yoga…..), meditating in our own way (clearing our mind, listening to music, walking in nature), and breathing deeply. Keeping our body moving, relaxing our mind, and breathing, this too is yoga!
Practice – Yoga Where You Find It
Last weekend Peter and I spent time on the cape with our friends. It was probably the most relaxed I have been in weeks, and I could not have been happier lying on the bed reading for hours. Of course, there were lots of activities including biking, pickle ball (my husband is a fanatic) and Deb and my Indigenous People’s Day swim yes it must be in the ocean). So instead of a “pose” to focus on this week, let’s move in a way that feels good, brings us joy, and possibly involves a friend! That is good for the mind, heart, and soul. This too is yoga.🌊🏊🏽♀️❄️❄️
Meditation – On Walking
“You have feet, and if you don’t make use of them it’s a loss and a waste. Someone is telling you now so that in the future you cannot say: “No one told me that it was important to enjoy using my feet.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms” - Thich Nhat Hanh
I repeat for you this week information I shared previously on Thich Nhat Hanh and his walking meditation. He envisioned a kind of Buddhism that would respond directly to the needs of society. He was a teacher and social activist in his home country before finding himself exiled for calling for peace. In 2019 he was the first recipient of the Gandhi Mandela Peace Medal. For more on him, his work for peace and his teachings on mindfulness visit his website at:
The link to his video on walking meditation is:
Nurturing with Food – Deb’s Vegetarian Chili
On our adventures at the cape at Deb and John’s camper, Deb made an unbelievably delicious vegetarian chili. She prepped it ahead and cooked it over the camping burner, accompanied by skillet cornbread that was also amazing. The recipe came from website
which I often find great recipes on. I am copying the link below, it could be an extremely forgiving recipe in which I think you could use any vegetables you have in the house. Deb substituted the mixed bean dry soup mix and cooked them ahead without the spice packet for great variety. Do not skip the sweet potatoes, they were amazing, she also had frozen corn along with many other vegetables. We enjoyed the chili a second time on nachos. Yum.
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
Wonderful message on meditation. . Thank you.