Yoga on and off the mat.

I have been searching for that something that will bring balance in my life. I've been very drawn towards Yoga for awhile. I was a pretty huge pilates enthusiast for many years and credit it to helping alot with my weight loss during that time... I still am a lover of pilates and think it's amazing... however, it wasn't quite enough for me. I never felt that sense of balance and peace that I feel when I am doing Yoga. I feel strong and full of possibilities when I go from one pose to another. The more I practice, the more I am falling in love with it. I went to a workshop with Bryan Kest awhile back and was so in awe over him and the entire practice. It was a two-hour power yoga session plus an hour of hearing Bryan talk about the history of Yoga, etc. I learned so much after that class and my ass was hurting so much, haha. I think Power Yoga is amaaazing, especially for those who are really focused on weight loss and toning. However, I like a mixture of both power plus relaxation. I think it all depends on how you are feeling in that moment and day. Some days I feel so stressed out and there is just no way that I can do a Bryan Kest yoga series and so I just do some light stretching and some relaxing poses and it helps me everytime. I even find that when I am having pain in my abdomen, I intuitively know which poses to go into to help relieve some of the discomfort. Yoga truly isn't for just ONE thing, it's for EVERYTHING.

There are two books that I have been re-reading constantly lately because they inspire me so much, especially Mariel Hemingway's books. I relate to her on alot of levels and reading her book you can just feel her compassion and love for what she does and how she lives. She truly practices what she preaches. I've been doing her Yoga dvd as well that she did with Rodney Yee. It's a great dvd series. I have been trying to incorporate it in atleast 3x a week. I also am very inspired by Christy Turlington... not only is she incredibly physically gorgeous but after reading her book, I learned how incredibly gorgeous she is inside as well. These books have been very helpful for me lately and I turn to them whenever I am feeling doubtful or in a rut. I think it's very important to find books that you can always turn to for guidance and comfort.


Speaking of inspiration, I was reading a chapter in Mariel's book where she discusses the importance of cleaning your space and being able to walk into your home and not see clutter everywhere. I never really took much notice or thought much about the meaning behind clutter, until learning more about it. It's so true that when you look at someones living space and it's a mess, you are probably feeling like your life is a mess. Your living space reflects you and how you are feeling. I walked into my apartment the other day and noticed how much clutter I have around. Clothes ontop of exercise equipment, magazines everywhere, scrapbooking materials, cd's, books, etc etc. I stopped to think about why it is my living space is so full of chaos and then it hit me that there is so much truth in connection with clutter and how you are feeling mentally... and physically. I've been feeling cluttered, literally with everything in my life and it shows when you walk into my apartment.

I took this weekend to really clear out the clutter. I went through my apartment and got rid of things that I never use. I also cleared a space in my bedroom closet, which I don't use because I have a built-in closet space in my living room. So until yesterday, my bedroom closet was just full of boxes of things I never touch. I emptied everything out of there and set up alittle sacred place for myself to go in to meditate and to just be peaceful. I also got the idea from Mariel's book, where she talked about her sacred area in her house. I set up a table with things that are meaningful to me, or things that inspire me. I also have pictures of inspiring people and it's very relaxing. I can go into my closet and shut the doors and just be by myself, no noise, no chaos, just quiet and peace. I think it's very very important to have a place in your home where you can go to just BE silent and be to yourself... with no t.v. or radio around. Somewhere to sit and reflect on your life.... or to just relax and not think at all. Whatever works for you.

Someday I will be able to do this... someday!

xxo
Britanie