Lessons on the Journey

June 18, 2010

I’ve been spending a lot of time journal writing as part of the 21.5.800 Challenge. I don’t know how much it has helped. As an active participant in my thoughts, journaling seems to excite it which I do not need. However, I suppose getting the thoughts out does just that. They don’t continue to circle . . . in my head. Plus, it seems writing is easier because of it. Words flow more freely.

As far as the challenge, I’ve missed the mark at 800 Words by two days, but I’m not beating myself up over it. Like everything else, life gets in the way. However, I have also noticed a few things about myself that sabotage me, so its good information I am using to move past the deficiency.

What has helped the most in the challenge is my new-found meditation practice, which in turn has led to even more mindfulness throughout my days. It is, in fact, a catalyst for making a change to how I plan to teach classes at OhioU this summer. Since we will have four hours together per week in a compressed 5 week quarter, here’s what I’m planning: a yoga class, meditation outside and then writing/creative time to finish. I am hopeful that students learn something about themselves through the process.

Today, my writing consisted of a new Associated Content article about the Eight Limbs of Yoga, an Examiner article about the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure and this blog post. (It may take the AC article a day or so to be available.) Other than that, it was a simple day, enjoying the sunshine and swimming. Next: a relaxing evening by the fire with my hubby, sipping on Chardonnay, relaxing.

Happy Friday! They sure aren’t what they used to be. They’re better!

3 Comments | blogging, life, mindfulness, writing, yoga | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

Happiness Is . . .

May 21, 2010

So many things . . . I love the randomness of life.  I love change.  Today I am grateful to just be.  Joy springs forth for no apparent reason except that I’m alive and there is wonder in the world.  That, indeed, feels very, very good!  It’s raining here, but I’m fine with it. The weather is relatively warm, flowers are blooming, and every thing is so green!  Here are two recent pics from the front of our house . . .

Rose bush beginning to bloom . . . this is from the other day.  Looking outside now, there are about 15 new blooms on it!

Spring phase of one of our window boxes.  By mid summer, these will be flowing down to the patio!

. . .

I am getting ready to do a lot of writing about yoga, sustainability and whatever else strikes me.   Most will be published on Examiner and Associated Content, but thanks to Brooks at Yogic Muse, I may look into doing the same at Elephant Journal, if they’ll have me!  Anyway, since many of you have asked to see the finished product on the house remodel, I thought I’d show you where we are now.

We gutted our kitchen and bath.  Refer to post here and here.  Everything is currently functional, but final touches are still incomplete.  Here goes . . .

Only pic I could find of new bathroom, which is small.  J (and his cousin) reconfigured the plumbing, we tiled floor and shower walls, installed a new shower and pedastal sink.  It is quaint, but lovely.  Trim still needs finished.

Walking from the living room into the kitchen, this is the left side of the back wall . . . note the window . . . it is new, (but without trim too).

Right side of back kitchen wall.  Room to the right is unfinished . . . a door will be installed leading out to a deck . . . when we get to it.

Other side of room with blackboard wall (not quite finished) that we got from J’s office, which used to be an old schoolhouse.

Another view of the same wall.  J built the bar/countertop which I love.  I’m not sure what I’m going to do below.  I don’t want to enclose it, but I’d like to paint the bottom of the sink and exposed plumbing either silver/chrome or chalkboard black to blend better.

I am quite happy with the progress and the choices we’ve made regarding materials . . . blackboard wall with a history, cabinets from my parents home that we re-stained . . .  The whole room suits our unconventional taste and style and feels very comfy!

That’s where we are today.  Hopefully the last few pieces of slate go up soon, but the trim may take months.  And that’s okay, because J worked his tail off in March and April.  Warm weather is upon us . . . time for enjoying the outdoors, walking, kayaking, going to farmers markets and doing yoga in the sunshine!

Happiness is . . . whatever you allow it to be. :-)   For me, it’s the simple things.  Beautiful flowers, a quaint loving home, good health, great friends, the smile of a stranger . . . enjoying the wonder of life!

Blessings, love and light!

8 Comments | house, J, life, writing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

All Things Green

May 12, 2010

I spent the day researching and writing articles for Examiner.com.  All Green Things. Since our major home remodel, I took hiatus from both blogging here and writing for Examiner.  My friends were so sweet . . . leaving comments here, tweeting about or to me, putting out APBs.  I felt so loved and needed. :-) Truly, I am amazed at the kindness that’s been shown to me through this blog ~ complete strangers I’ve connected with, it’s amazing.

A new friend, W,  from my yoga training in Asheville offered me a place to stay if I go back there. We only met briefly, shared space in the studio and walked uptown together for about 15 minutes.

The news is filled with horror and disgusting stories (so I hear ~ I don’t watch TV), but in my mind the human condition is uplifting and inspiring.  I choose to surround my heart with this.

Anyhoo, since this is my blog and I can write about any-old-thing-I-want, I thought I’d give you a sneak preview of what’s to come on my Examiner site.  I have four articles sitting in a queue, just waiting to be revealed to the world.

Planning a Green Getaway. Somehow, I found a place called Blue Rock Station.  They are located less than 30 miles from me.  It’s a working organic farm and they are offering a weekend getaway this weekend.  I can’t go, as my daughter, M is absolutely thrilled to hold her first yard sale complete with lemonade and homemade fudge.  But the place looks incredible and I had to write about it in the hopes that someone would check it out.

What is an Earthship? I found this site through the Blue Rock Station site.  I had never heard of these before and they are AH-MAAAAY-Zing!  They are completely sustainable homes made from all natural and recyclable materials.  By description alone it doesn’t sound appealing, but look at these homes.  Subscribe to my Examiner page to get the article in a few days!  Leave comments there too!

Spotlight on Ohio Green Living. I also stumbled across  an organization called Ohio Green Living which lead me to the first two sites above.  There wasn’t as much info on this site, but I did learn that the organization is within 40 miles of my home and it sponsors and promotes green living events in the area.  I plan to stay connected!

Spotlight on WWOOF. A high school friend, Kevin, lived in South Africa for a while and now lives in California.  He read a recent post of mine promoting local farmers markets and pointed me to the WWOOF website.  They are an international organization promoting sustainable living and organic farming.  I wish I was 20 again and knew about this.  I should have traveled abroad before M & J.  Maybe we’ll find a way to do it together in our later years!  Plus, I will definitely encourage my beautiful M to do so while she is young!

    That was my Wednesday.  How was yours?

    3 Comments | green, nature, travel, writing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
    Posted by namaste*heather

    Prenatal Yoga, Facebook and Other Randomness

    May 6, 2010

    Prenatal Yoga

    Image via Google

    So, as promised to my fellow yogi-friends, I thought I would do a quick post on Prenatal Yoga.  As you all know, I took a prenatal intensive in Asheville, North Carolina last weekend.  Since I’m not a doctor and don’t pretend to be, I don’t want to go too in-depth, but I thought I’d post some generals about practicing yoga while pregnant.  Here goes:

    1. For pregnant women who already have an established practice, it is perfectly fine to continue practicing as normal while listening to the body.   It is advised, however, to begin a more gentle practice during pregnancy as the body changes rapidly and some poses are contraindicated during the 2nd and/or 3rd trimesters.
    2. Lying on the belly becomes contraindicated as the baby grows.
    3. Forward Bends should be done with a straight spine as opposed to a curved one, especially further along in the pregnancy . . . which could help with lower back pain in the long run.
    4. Practice strong backbends with care.  Pregnant women secret a homone called Relaxin which could cause overstretching.  Imagine . . . the belly expands enough to make room for baby. . . do you want to overstretch and end up with (possibly more) stretch marks after the baby is born?
    5. Twist only gently and never in the lower belly.  Focus the twist in the upper chest instead.
    6. No jumping in vinyasas.
    7. 8 to 15 % of pregnant women can have Vena Cava Compression, so its a good idea to NOT lie flat on the back in Savasana.  Prop at a 45 degree angle with a block and bolster.  Also roll over to the left side instead of the right after Savasana.
    8. Be mindful in or avoid Inversions.

    So, those are just a few Prenatal Yoga tips.  Consult a physician or yoga teacher trained in prenatal yoga if you are interested in beginning a yoga practice during pregnancy.

    Here is a beautiful poem that was on the bottom of my Prenatal Yoga Training Intro Letter:

    A Precious Human Life

    Everyday think as you wake up

    Today I am fortunate to have woken up

    I am alive

    I have a precious human life

    I am not going to waste it, I am going to use

    All my energies to develop myself

    To expand my heart out to others

    To achieve enlightenment for

    The benefit of all beings

    I am going to have kind thoughts toward others

    I am not going to get angry

    Or think badly about others

    I am going to benefit others as much as I can

    Next topic . . .  Facebook

    So, I noticed a few other blogger friends (who are also friends of mine on Facebook) belong to a site called Networked Blogs.  I registered this blog but cannot quite determine how it works.  If you know, please message me, and by all means follow my blog there.  Click on the link in my side bar (to the right) just below Email Subscription and above RSS Feeds.

    Other Randomness

    Image via Google

    Recently I created a new page on my blog called Quotes.  Here, I plan to post favorite quotes.  I already posted a few but would like to continue to post as time goes on.  I use quotes often for personal inspiration and in my yoga classes.  In the past I made “quote cards” for friends and plan to begin to do so again.  I will be posting pictures of these quote cards, probably on another page as time goes on.  If you have a favorite quote, please feel free to post it in the comments section on the quotes page or in any other way you see fit.

    Last but not least, I write for Examiner.com.  I am the Green Living Examiner, but have not written in quite a while as life has stretched me into so many other directions.  I will be writing more regularly beginning in the next few weeks.  So, if there are certain green topics of interest to you, please let me know.  I love to research and write and your help will be greatly appreciated!

    As always, I hope you are enjoying this fabulous Thursday.  The day was absolutely gorgeous here in Ohio!

    6 Comments | poem, practice, Uncategorized, writing, yoga | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
    Posted by namaste*heather

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