mokshahali

[mokshahali]

Rise and Shine

I like to think that I am a morning person, but this time of year, staying cozy under the covers seems to be the favorable option.  My roommate and I have decided to up our fitness game this month, celebrating the end of February (I know I am not alone in letting out a huge sigh of relief). 

Sticking with the plan, I got up early this morning and went for a run, kicking the winter blues in the butt.  Although there was no nice sunrise to look at, it is still so rewarding to have the ‘up before the sun’ feeling.  Something that I was spoiled with when I was in Iceland a few months ago.

Here is a link to an article about the benefits of early morning exercise.  For the regulars at the 6:30am class, I don’t often cross paths with you, but this month you’ll be seeing more of me :)

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17610/5-ways-to-overcome-excuses-become-an-early-morning-exerciser.html

[mokshahali]

"Shoulders", by Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An4a-_NjilY

[mokshahali]

The Invitation

Oriah is a story-teller and a lover of words from a small community in Northern Ontario.  A passage from her book, The Invitation (1999), was read in a class this week.  This passage is so strong and honest.  Read it slowly.  Read it carefully and open you mind to how this resonates with you.

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love for your dream for the adventure of being alive. It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon... I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain mine or your own without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful to be realistic to remember the limitations of being human. It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure yours and mine and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.” It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

[mokshahali]

Shubenacadie Sam predicts 6 more weeks of winter, but it is never too early to get started on spring cleaning...especially with the snow days we've been having.  Check out the link below for an article with some closet cleaning tips and tricks.  I can't say that I have done the complete clean out yet - however while I waited for the snow to get cleaned up this morning, I did a modified version of the Konmari closet cleaning method.  Although I have only got a smile pile of 'closet rejects', I am already feeling great about my cleaner, emptier closet of things that I actually wear.

http://www.luckymag.com/style/2015/01/konmari-method-closet-cleaning

[mokshahali]

Habitually Falling Forward

As someone who maintains a regular yoga practice, especially right now with the 30-Day Challenge, it can be a great challenge to acknowledge what has become habitual.  As some teachers say, “get out of auto-pilot”.  Although I actively listen to the teachers’ cues, it is easy to right away sink into what feels good.  If I always keep my back leg active and lifted in runners lunge, I might be missing out on an incredible feeling that I could experience with my back leg lowered.  In my practice this morning I realized how sweet it can be to not go to my depth, even though that place feels good, but instead back off and try something new.

In pigeon pose I habitually fall forward.  I get a very juicy stretch in the target area, however today my teacher encouraged us to stay upright.  "Drop the shoulders, shine through the collarbone".  We tucked our tail, the same motion that we practice in chair/awkward pose and then from there we slowly lowered.   Moving slowly this morning allowed me to peacefully and mindfully move forward, lowering my upper body to the mat and resting my head – allowing the pose to do the work, and reaping the benefits of my practice. 

The quote for the 30-Day Challenge today is “What we achieve inwardly will change our outer reality” – Plutarch.  This morning my perspective shifted on my mat and I vow to bring my awareness of habitually falling forward into the rest of my day and week.  By listening to what I was being told, I had a new and beautiful experience (and quite a juicy stretch!).  That inward achievement will change my outer reality.  By acknowledging areas in my life where I need to listen and then move forward, confidently, mindfully and peacefully.

How can we actively move forward throughout the week, instead of habitually falling forward – in our practice, our work, our studies and our interactions with other people?

Happy Monday.  Happy day 14 of the 30-Day Challenge.

Peace and Love - Sarah

[mokshahali]

New Ambassador, New Year, New Project

Well, There you have it.  A Blog.  I kept a blog for a year while I was travelling, and the moment I landed back in Canada, was the same moment that I stopped thinking about the blog.  I stopped thinking that I had things worthy of sharing with the world.  Now I know that sounds dramatic, but after a year full of wild adventures, exploring new places and meeting new people, a blog about my life in Halifax seemed monotonous.  I tried keeping a journal, but it seemed to only be put to use when I had something to complain about, almost like writing a problem down would take it off my mind and it would be trapped between the lines of a book hidden between my mattress and my box spring (because of course no one will think to look there to find all of my ‘deep and dark secrets’).  This blog will be more consistent than my past attempts, so get comfy, make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy the weekly posts.  Happy Monday :)

-with gratitude.  Sarah

The Lighthouse Becky Jennings

The mighty lighthouse stands secure, Undaunted by the restless sea; Ravaged by the changing tides And buffeted by winds blown free. Yet, it sheds its beacon straight and true, Unfaltering in the bleakest night, Guiding every passing ship Uncertain of the course that's right. May we be diligent and true, Dedicated to the right And like the stalwart lighthouse stand A beacon in the darkest night.

[mokshahali]

So… I guess that’s it, then? WHOOSH!!!! A whole year of being the Moksha Yoga Halifax Ambassador has already gone by! And, regardless of how sad I am to let go of my unlimited hot yoga pass, I am so grateful for everything that I have learned over these last 365 days!!!! and am even more grateful for all of the amazing connections and friendships I have been able to make as a result of this whole experience!!! I have so much love for this entire community, so THANK YOU all for sharing this experience with me. No doubt I’ll see ya in the hot room again soon

  GET UP AND GO There is no excuse other than the ones we make for ourselves! You’ll only ever regret the class you didn’t go to. Now that I can’t say “I’ll just go tomorrow,” I’m kicking myself for every class I skipped out on. Carpe diem… right?

  BRING YOUR PRACTISE HOME Well, let’s get real, some days I realllllly just don’t want to leave the house. But I’ve made a habit of practicing at home nearly every single day, so I never miss a class! It’s the time that I’m able to spend alone in my room without the distractions of my peers or my reflection in the mirror that I am really able feel what my body needs and that I am most able to work within my own limits. Practicing alone is one of the best ways to kill your ego and get some good focus going.

  LISTEN To everyone. Your body. Your mind. Your peers. Your instructors. Everyone. We all have an opinion, but that doesn’t necessarily mean any one view is better than the next. But get past your ego and open up your ears!!! It’s so important to hear what others have to say: you never know which cue might lift your bridge a little higher or sit your eagle a little deeper. It is from listening to each other from which we know and are able to grow!

  REPLENISH Eat healthy, drink water, and sleep a lot. You need your body like your body needs you – it’s a give/take relationship. We are not indestructible!!!! Overworking our bodies and filling them with garbage is a frequent mistake that a lot of people in our contemporary world make! And, believe me, I am noooo exception to that (“Everything in moderation, including moderation” – thanks for the junk food justifications Mr Wilde). Take rests when you need, be mindful of what you eat, and remember that you’ve only got one body, so treat it like the temple it is!

  TRY AGAIN TOMORROW A good way that I’ve found to think about things is as though life is just one big experiment. We try things out. They don’t always work, but they don’t always fail, either. The point is that, since we’ve experimented, now we know (even if what we know is what we don’t know… what?). There is no shame in making a mistake, falling out of a pose, or having a failed experiment. Regardless of what the products of our experiments are, they have value: from them, we can see what we’ve done right, how we may have gone wrong, and are pushed in the direction of a new approach. All that matters is that you step back up and try again tomorrow.

peace and love :) Simon

[mokshahali]

Something we hear often is that people are wondering why we always practice the same sequence of poses, and why we don’t switch it up more often. Here are just a few great reasons that we believe that consistency is key: 1) So you can still do yoga when you’re 80. Our sequence of poses was developed with the input and wisdom of many senior yoga teachers, with the intention of creating a balanced, therapeutic sequence of poses that stretches and strengthens all the muscles in the body in a non-aggressive, non-impactful way. Sure, some of those fancy yoga poses are fun to work on, and it’s great to challenge yourself in new ways, but they may not be sustainable for your body in the long run, and we want you to still be rockin’ your practice well into your golden years! 2) Because the Moksha series works! Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned yogi, the Moksha series will kick your butt and leave you feeling clear. If you find you’re not being challenged enough, ask your teacher for some extra tips on things to focus on to make the pose tougher, and if you still find that you’re not being challenged, then it likely has nothing to do with the pose. Are you really present, focusing on your breath? Or is your mind wandering? Generally, the more attention you give to your practice, the more you will get out of it. 3) Because it’s boring. Yup, we said it, practicing the same series over and over again can be boring, and that’s precisely why we do it! Boredom is just another thing that comes up in practice, and how we deal with it depends entirely on how we frame it. If you look at boredom negatively, as a permanent state that should be avoided, then boredom can be killer, to a yoga practice, a relationship, a career… But yoga asks us to dig deeper, and to view everything that comes up – be it good or bad – with equanimity, without judgement. So if you get bored, well, that’s it, you’re bored. It’s not good, it’s not bad, it just is. You can choose to take the path of least resistance (aka, the easy route) and avoid boredom by moving on to the next thing (until you get bored with that, then you’ll move on again, and then again, ad infinitum), or you can choose to be okay with boredom, to commit to working through it, and to seeing it as a reason to start paying more attention. Because even on your five-thousandth Warrior II pose, there is something to learn, but you have to get there first, and then you have to pay attention once you’re there. It’s not easy, but the good stuff rarely is. 4) Because Moksha meets you where you are. Feeling a little tired? Or maybe you’re fired up and energetic… No matter where you are physically and emotionally, the Moksha series caters to that. You can approach the same poses in the same sequence in a way that’s gentle, or you can approach it with more intensity, or any variation in between. You can always walk into class knowing that you’re going to get exactly what you need from your practice, and we think that’s pretty special.

[mokshahali]

One of my favourite things about being a member of the Moksha Yoga Halifax community is not only that it gives me the opportunity for growth within myself and within my own yoga practice, but that it give me the chance to witness so much growth in my peers around me at the studio!

Although I have only been the Ambassador since last April, MYH has been my home studio since moving to Halifax in 2011. Since joining the studio, I have been able to provide feedback to new instructors in order to assist in their growth, I’ve been able to see instructors branch out and gain training in other areas like Yogassage, and have even been lucky enough to see some of our instructors move on to experiment with new things or continue their journey on the path of yoga. And beyond just the instructors, I’ve been able to reach out and make tons of new friends that love to come to the studio for a good sweat as much as I do - hearing their stories of breakthroughs and growth are just as exciting for me as they are for them!

So here’s to you, Moksha Yoga Halifax! I’m sure that I speak for each and every member when I say that WE ARE PROUD OF YOU and YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US! And we are here with you each and every step of the way! I could not be more grateful and content with where I have been able to bring myself over the past few months, and I owe a huge portion of that credit to MYH and its beautiful community. THANK YOU for letting me be such a unique member of our community. I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store for the whole lot of us, and I am so grateful to move forward into the new year with all of your beautiful smiling faces!

  If you’re not already involved with our community, there really couldn’t be a better time. Get a fresh start to your new year! From January 15 – Valentine’s Day MYH is hosting a 30 day challenge where we can sweat struggle and succeed together! And finish it all off by celebrating! :D 

[mokshahali]

Local Hot Yoga Studio Impervious to Polar Vortex

HALIFAX, NS - Area man Adam Reeder reports a lingering feeling of bliss after attending a hot yoga class Tuesday morning at Moksha Yoga Halifax, sources confirm.

Reeder, 36, sought out the hot yoga studio in order to warm up, as he's been "freezing [his] b@!ls off out there" due to the Polar Vortex that has swept the nation. With temperatures dropping to record lows, Reeder has complained of increasing feelings of frustration, reports girlfriend Samira Sayed.

"He's been a huge pain since it got cold," noted Sayed, stating that Reeder often requests a cup of chamomile tea and a hot water bottle. She confirms that he has had a change of attitude since attending the hot yoga class: "Oh, yeah, he's like a new man. Says he's never felt better."

Local physician Dr. Maria Fernandez Arroyo says that this reaction is not atypical when it comes to Moksha Hot Yoga. "We have seen time and time again this same euphoria from practicing [Moksha Yoga] during these frigid temperatures," stated Fernandez Arroyo. "Participants claim that not only does it warm them up, it also leaves them with decreased stress levels and increased feelings of well-being." However, the doctor cautions that Moksha Hot Yoga may not be for everyone: "Those people that prefer to suffer during this cold snap, no, I don't recommend it for them at all."

Reeder is anxious to return to the studio for another class. "I'm going back tomorrow, for sure," enthused Reeder. "I'm going to go every day. I bought the $40 Intro Special, so I can go every day for the next month, and I'm gonna. This Polar Vortex can suck it."

;)

[mokshahali]

Simon Says: Six Reasons Students Should Sweat

As a student, I feel incredibly lucky to have Moksha Yoga Halifax to turn to when I need it. MYH has given me so much more than a place to simply practice yoga – open 7 days a week to meet the needs of each pulled muscle and midterm meltdown. Here are my top six reasons as to why all students should sweat!

-       Kill stress Getting your sweat on in the hot room is, believe it or not, one of the best ways to cool down. Having the time to really focus on something that isn’t schoolwork keeps your brain working while you give it a break.

-       Get off your asana One of the first things that I let go of when crunch time hits is my own personal health. For some reason, when the pressure gets heavy, it just doesn’t seem quite as important anymore. Stretching, bending, and laughing in the hot room is one of the best ways to refrain from becoming a couch/library potato.

-       Stay flexible Beyond helping your physical flexibility, working a yoga class into your schedule is an easy way to improve your time management skills. When do I have time for yoga today? What do I have to do first? What about after? Which bus do I catch? Filling those empty time slots with a good sweat is a really nice way to plan out and add some good flow to your day!

-       Get involved in your community One of the best parts about Moksha Yoga Hali is the amazing community. Getting involved in the studio, even just by attending class, can keep you in the loop about different local events, provides opportunities for you to support some different local charities and fundraisers, and opens you up to our super friendly and awesome group of peeps! And how can you resist the wine and snacks at our MYH community parties?

-       Sweat it out As students, sometimes we eat too much junk. Or drink too much junk. Either way, there is no better way to detox than sweating it all out. And that tea tree oil shampoo in the bathrooms? Fuggettaboutit 

-       Breathe Last, but certainly not least, is that Moksha Yoga Hali is always reminding me to breathe. When I’m getting overwhelmed, it really does help to take the time to have a few deep breaths. It’ll cool your nerves and your thoughts, giving you the opportunity to reel yourself back in so you can take on the next task on your To Do list. 

[mokshahali]

This morning at 8:00am, I walked through the rain to attend an awesome class instructed by the lovely lil Martha. The time I’ve spent walking to yoga from my home has become a kind of sacred time to me over the past months. I’m able to cover a pretty wide range of thoughts in the 25 minutes it takes from point A to B. What do I have due tomorrow? Am I caught up with my readings? When am I working next? Did I remember to call her back? Did the dog go out? Do I have everything in order and under control? And then I hit the hot room and after a few deeps sighs most of those thoughts are able to melt away.

As I was stretching and breathing through some poses at the beginning of the series this morning, I couldn’t help but begin to notice the shaking in my legs. Maybe I was just tired; it was the earliest class that morning. My eyes began to wander around the room. Were other people struggling too? Maybe it was just me. I began to lose track of my breath. My focus was gone. Both my feet hit the ground and I fell out of the pose.

I am always trying to catch my breath and find some balance outside of my time in the hot room, just as I do with my practice. But every now and then thoughts crowd my mind and I stumble, losing that balance I’ve been working so hard to reach and maintain.

While trying to stay on top of school, do my best while at work, keep up with the 30 Day Challenge, all while avoiding refined sugar (during Halloween? Am I out of my mind?), I have definitely let some things slip. Sometimes that extra push is a touch too far and it sends us over the edge. But what’s been more important than recognizing why I’ve fallen, has been stepping back up to my mat. Sometimes I’ll need to make the same mistake more than once before it really hits home that what I’m doing just isn’t working. We all know that things don’t always work out right away. Practice does make perfect after all, doesn’t it? It’s been important to forgive myself for failing to reach my own personal goals, and it’s important for you to do the same! The more you sweat in practice, the less you’ll bleed in battle. You can always come back and try again tomorrow. 

[mokshahali]

An awesome event lead by an amazing yoga teacher.... See you there!

[mokshahali]

Day 26 Camel: start standing on your knees, bring your hands to you low back. Lift through your heart, lift your gaze and draw a line along the ceiling with your nose. Option to grab for your heels, keep moving your hips forward and lifting your chest up! #40daysofmoksha

[mokshahali]

Day 25 Savasana! Natalie just after Robyn's noon class today! It may not look like work but it is. Lying flat on your back bring your feet and hands mat width apart. Lift your shoulders, bring your shoulder blades together and lower them back down.

[mokshahali]

Day 24 toppling tree: start in tadasana and lift your arms over your head and step forward on your left foot coming to balance on your right toes. Reach your arms back and find stability in your left foot as you hinge at your hips. Keep your right foot flexed and hug your thigh muscles to your bones. Bring your belly button to your spine and bring some up dog into your chest squeezing your shoulder blades together. Avoid any gripping in your toes, breath and smile :) #40daysofmoksha

[mokshahali]

Simon Says: Things To Do After A Moksha Class

Shower Nothing feels better than a nice cool shower after chilling in savasana at the end of a class as sweaty as tonight’s jivamukti was. Feels so great to clean up after you sweat everything out.

  Drink water Endless amounts of thirst overcome me after sweating as much as I do in a Moksha class. But it’s important to go slow! Too much water too quickly will sometimes upset my stomach.

  Eat everything My favourite after class snacks include grapefruits and anything dipped in hummus. Be smart about what you let your body refuel with! 

  Go to work Or to school. Nothing gets me feeling ready to go like an early morning sweat. Making it to the end of a long day is always easier when you take some time for yourself and really wake your body up first.

  Go out with my friends Yoga will always put me in a smiling mood and is great preparation for tearing up the dance floor.

Snooze But sometimes it’s nice to just come home after a good class (drink a BIG glass of water… or two) and just hit the hay.