Resistance and procrastination seem to be the constant companions of the regular runner, or at least for this runner. I am in the middle of training for the Chattanooga Marathon on Feb. 24 (one day before my 48th birthday) and today was my 8 mile run. Now the cold weather is not my friend. In fact I just can't stand it! So any running I do in the winter is done on a treadmill.
The past two weeks have been grueling to me. From the first step I have been feeling a sense of fatigue. And because I run on the treadmill, I have a pretty good idea of my pacing. To do my 10 minute miles has felt like torture. Why I am not completely sure. The cold weather, less sunlight, my tendency toward depression in the winter, age, the increase in my yoga practice... Any one of these or a combination could be the reason for my resistance.
What keeps me running when the euphoric feelings are not present is my commitment to the training, the working toward a goal and the Nike mantra to "just do it" keeps me in my sneakers.
My yoga practice has taught me many lessons through the commitment to the practice that I can take off my mat. Why then can't the lessons learned in running be carried off the road? Really no reason. So I have thought about my recent attitude toward running, the difficulties in finding a rhythm and ease on the course. I have done a lot of thinking on how this attitude carries into the rest of my life. There seems to be no reason why I can't carry my persistent, committed attitude with which I approach running when I don't feel like running to all areas of my life. Life seems to be filled with hundreds of tasks that I find myself not wanting to do. Just like lacing up my sneakers and hitting the gym or road, following through on my commitment to my training, I can approach life. I can adapt the "just do it" attitude when I don't want to take care of some detail or unpleasant task. In fact following through on my commitment to myself to pick up my writing again has been one such task. I do believe my 8 mile run has helped me today to put fingers to keyboard in an effort of follow through on the commitment to myself.
So go ahead, the next time you find yourself procrastinating or avoiding some task, just lace up your sneakers per say and "just do it." Then take note of how you feel. Relish in the feelings of satisfaction in a job well done.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Losing Weight in the New Year
Losing Weight in the New Year
It’s the beginning of the year, lots of drama around losing weight. It seems as if every commercial, talk show and magazine ad is toting the latest and greatest weight loss method. I just finished watching an episode of The View where a young eighteen- year- old lost 90 lbs. in 90 days on some extreme weight loss show. Whew! Though I commend her on her success, I have to wonder how long her weight loss will last. Seems to me she is sitting on the pink cloud of success right now. I admire her perseverance in completing the program, but I have to wonder what happens when life hits, some adversity finds its way into her life. Will she have the tools she needs to maintain? I am saddened once again by the pain of our culture and what it does to those that are different, suffering, and trying desperately to be someone else.
Obesity is a problem for our culture. An estimated 1 billion + people are obese, spending over 50 million on weight loss products. For me the only thing that has worked in maintaining my weight is nothing new. A complete lifestyle change including healthy eating habits and exercise, along with reducing stress has proved to be most effective and what professionals agree is the only thing that is lasting. The next question is how to achieve this. Yoga helps. A dedicated, regular yoga practice helps slow the heart rate contributing to lower stress levels, improve elimination causing improved digestive function, and build healthy muscles, all helpful in losing weight. Because yoga practice builds on itself consistency, and regularity are essential. If you must do something drastic, enroll in a yoga class and commit to making yoga a part of your lifestyle. See you on the mat.
It’s the beginning of the year, lots of drama around losing weight. It seems as if every commercial, talk show and magazine ad is toting the latest and greatest weight loss method. I just finished watching an episode of The View where a young eighteen- year- old lost 90 lbs. in 90 days on some extreme weight loss show. Whew! Though I commend her on her success, I have to wonder how long her weight loss will last. Seems to me she is sitting on the pink cloud of success right now. I admire her perseverance in completing the program, but I have to wonder what happens when life hits, some adversity finds its way into her life. Will she have the tools she needs to maintain? I am saddened once again by the pain of our culture and what it does to those that are different, suffering, and trying desperately to be someone else.
Obesity is a problem for our culture. An estimated 1 billion + people are obese, spending over 50 million on weight loss products. For me the only thing that has worked in maintaining my weight is nothing new. A complete lifestyle change including healthy eating habits and exercise, along with reducing stress has proved to be most effective and what professionals agree is the only thing that is lasting. The next question is how to achieve this. Yoga helps. A dedicated, regular yoga practice helps slow the heart rate contributing to lower stress levels, improve elimination causing improved digestive function, and build healthy muscles, all helpful in losing weight. Because yoga practice builds on itself consistency, and regularity are essential. If you must do something drastic, enroll in a yoga class and commit to making yoga a part of your lifestyle. See you on the mat.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
2011, my first posting of the New Year, welcome 2011. I am so glad you are here. 2010 was filled with lots of changes for me, my journey on the yoga path being one of the biggest and most life changing. I am thrilled and excited to be facing 2011 in anticipation of continued growth and inner peace. This year instead of setting a New Year’s resolution (how many of us really keep them all year anyway?) I decided to set a sankalpa. Some texts describe a sankalpa as resolve others as an intention. . Whether you look at it as a resolve or an intention, a sankalpa practice starts from the premise that you already are who you need to be to fulfill your life’s dharma or purpose. All you need to do is be present to the voice of the inner self, following the voice of the highest truth.
A sankalpa comes out of listening, it’s not something you need to make up it is already present, but you have to be still and quiet to discover it. That’s where the physical yoga comes in. Through a regular practice of pranayama (breathing), along with asana (poses), practicing yogis have discovered a stillness within. Out of the stillness of listening your are able to hear the message of the deepest truth and heartfelt desire. Once you have heard the message the second state is turning to and welcoming in the message. When you hear the voice within speaking, you must be willing to be in its presence – sitting with it, feel it, and deeply reflect on it! Next you form your sankalpa as a statement of deeply held fact, and a vow that is true in the present moment. So I set a sankalpa for myself: With energy and perseverance, I bring the practice of yoga to those who need it, simple and in the present tense. This was true for me when I set it and it remains true to me today. (Doing a spiritual check in with yourself to assess whether you sankalpa is still a statement of truth in the present moment is a good practice.)
I woke up this morning with two things I resolved to do to support my New Year’s sankalpa, to do my home yoga practice and to run 7 miles, all part of my new path toward accountability. Initially I was hesitant, but I did a check in with myself asking for the energy and willingness to take these actions if they were meant for me to do today to support my sankalpa. As I went through some other tasks, the desire to practice came, followed by the desire to venture out into the cold to reach the YMCA (frigid temps did not seem to support my sankalpa, so why torture myself, the treadmill did very nicely). I noticed lightness in my running as I faced the window watching hurried, bundled patrons approaching the doors. This is how a sankalpa works. When you are connected to the truth within your own self a sense of purpose materializes.
I encourage you to do the work to set a sankalpa. Sit quietly, meditate, listen and then move forward in action toward being and becoming your true self, the self you’ve always been, the self you are meant to be.
For more information about sankalpa visit:
www.YogaInternational.com
www.yogamat.com
A sankalpa comes out of listening, it’s not something you need to make up it is already present, but you have to be still and quiet to discover it. That’s where the physical yoga comes in. Through a regular practice of pranayama (breathing), along with asana (poses), practicing yogis have discovered a stillness within. Out of the stillness of listening your are able to hear the message of the deepest truth and heartfelt desire. Once you have heard the message the second state is turning to and welcoming in the message. When you hear the voice within speaking, you must be willing to be in its presence – sitting with it, feel it, and deeply reflect on it! Next you form your sankalpa as a statement of deeply held fact, and a vow that is true in the present moment. So I set a sankalpa for myself: With energy and perseverance, I bring the practice of yoga to those who need it, simple and in the present tense. This was true for me when I set it and it remains true to me today. (Doing a spiritual check in with yourself to assess whether you sankalpa is still a statement of truth in the present moment is a good practice.)
I woke up this morning with two things I resolved to do to support my New Year’s sankalpa, to do my home yoga practice and to run 7 miles, all part of my new path toward accountability. Initially I was hesitant, but I did a check in with myself asking for the energy and willingness to take these actions if they were meant for me to do today to support my sankalpa. As I went through some other tasks, the desire to practice came, followed by the desire to venture out into the cold to reach the YMCA (frigid temps did not seem to support my sankalpa, so why torture myself, the treadmill did very nicely). I noticed lightness in my running as I faced the window watching hurried, bundled patrons approaching the doors. This is how a sankalpa works. When you are connected to the truth within your own self a sense of purpose materializes.
I encourage you to do the work to set a sankalpa. Sit quietly, meditate, listen and then move forward in action toward being and becoming your true self, the self you’ve always been, the self you are meant to be.
For more information about sankalpa visit:
www.YogaInternational.com
www.yogamat.com
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