1.30.2010

Change Change Change

“Change is the only constant.” Ain't that the truth. What is changing in your life right now? Take some minutes to reflect, consider writing it down and looking at it. True, some things can be constant for many years, but even within that realm, micro-adjusts are twisting around so subtly it's hard to inter. Our views change, our bodies change, maybe somewhere, somehow our soul retains some constant vibe throughout the eons? I think so. It's a cozy and comforting thought for me.

How can we adapt so often and so much without being thrown off our base? Honestly sometimes I think we could call Yoga "How to deal with Change". Breath, stand strong, be flexible, listen to your body and mind, and let it all go. The more we go through life, the more change we may be subjected to, at least, I feel that way in light of my dad passing away. Often I think of childhood as a safe and secure time, timeless, but nothing is timeless really. Some children aren't as lucky, their childhood is rife with chaos, emotional turmoil. For these individuals, I believe it will take much more effort and focus to find a source of strength and calm, they never found it or saw an example of it. Since each of us must look within for this, how can we open a window? Even awareness of a safe place? I think one yoga class, or maybe more, many strong walls can grow.

Some of these human beings end up in bad places, even in adult life. Consider taking yoga to a prison, a shelter, a place where those that land need more than just food for their physical body. Do bad people exist? I guess I must say yes, at least people with bad actions. Were they born that way? I don't think so, our childhood shapes us so powerfully.

Namaste,
Kat

1.29.2010

ON Friday, January 29, I'm grateful for...

A cozy warm house.

The chance to help children.

My new snowboard, bindings and boots, all ordered on ebay separate days, arrived all at once!! If that is not a sign, what is? Look out slopes, I'm coming.

A comfortable bed.

The chance to work out.

Mexican food.

Ed's house skills, we are almost done with our spare room, office design imminent!

My new little philodendron micans plant and the chance to pot it. Nothing like a little fresh dirt under your nails in the winter.

Midwestern kindness.

New York style.

San Diego sand.

Bromley decaff green tea, the best in the world.

All pending babies, Melissa, Emily, Dulcinea!

My dad and his wonderful impact on this world and me, and his sense of humor.

My mom and her kindness to us.

Marble and marbles.

Friday nights.

Seasons.

Renewal. Change. Shifts in consciousness. Vision.

My robe and slippers.

A pristine and peaceful kitchen table.

Namaste,
Kat

1.24.2010

Wonder Workout, No sweat!

So, in a book I read recently (Happiness Project, aha!), the author alluded to a highly efficient way to work out and get good results, related to weight lifting. The idea I took from this is to do ONE set of reps (I tried 8-12 reps) using higher weight than you would normally use with more sets. So...I tried it and I really like it. I felt like I did more than 3 sets, and in less time. Time will tell how sore I get, consider Epsom salts and massage for muscle soreness if that gets to you.

I definitely think it's important to warm up first, because this is more muscle demand and more of a potential shock to the body if not warm, due to greater muscle challenge over a shorter period. 5 minute speed walk, then 3-5 minute jog, and some very light stretching is my advice for a pre-lifting prep. Do your circuit of 10 exercises, about 1 minute each. Cool down with a gentle yoga workout for 5-10 minutes. Total time? 30 minutes!

If you work out 2+ times a week, be sure to alternate muscle groups for maximal benefit. I recommend reading on lifting before starting a regular routine and of course consult your doctor before starting anything exercise-related! And of course, it can't compare to yoga for flexibility and balancing benefits.

Namaste,
Kat

On Sunday, January 24th, I'm grateful for...

SUNSHINE! WIND!

Wildcat

eBay

HGTV

Homemade jewelry

Scrapbooking

Cards for people

Blackberry and blueberry Pancakes (Black n Blue)

A stable home

A stable earth

2pac...we have to be real to our women

Bob Marley and all family, aka Damian

Jimi Hendrix

Vans Snowboard boots

Birdies

squirrelies

my husband

my family

organic milk

watch batttery replacement = instant gratification!!

Namaste!
Kat

1.18.2010

Grateful for...

I'm going to try and post what I am grateful for once or twice a week. Feel free to comment and share what you are grateful for as well. I think I have a bunch stored up so this list may be long!!

1. Snowboarding and Snow Creek
2. Raspberry Jam from Switzerland - Favorit Swiss Reserve (World Market)
3. Seeing my family all together
4. Melting ice on the roof, and snow in the driveway.
5. All kitties
6. Antiques Roadshow
7. The Happiness Project - Read it, doing it.
8. A clean kitchen.
9. Office progress - closet wallpaper freeish
10. My education - I hung all my framed degrees up today to remind me.
11. Martin Luther King Jr.
12. My ginkgo treelet
13. Red Cross
14. HGTV
15. Ed's housework saavyness and kind style.
16. foggy walk with my mom and Mick
17. Triscuits (hint of salt thanks to Mad) and Cady Creek Cheddar, mmmm...
18. A fresh semester and my new organization plan. Let's go students.
19. Soccer Conditioning starting.
20. 2010.
21. Bacchus.
22. Get togethers with friends.
23. Dark Chocolate.

Namaste,
Kat

1.16.2010

To board or not to board.

I would like to start with a brief timeline of my history with snowboarding/skiing. I've loved it all in retrospect, but at times is is an amazing life challenge and yoga has helped.

Winter 1993. First skiing ever, Snow Creek, tough and scary but okay.

1994-2002. Various family trips skiing, great memories of my dear Marchin clan, downhill and cross-country skiing, even hot springs once, never boarded, didn't want to waste "ski" time.

Jan 1999. College road trip to Vail. Decided to check out boarding for the FIRST time. My friend's strap broke, hated icy griddle iron of a hill, switched to another friend's skis for remainder of stay and gave my board to the other guy.

Feb 2006. Board lessons at Snow Creek with Ed, taught by very young person, went okay but rocky.

March 2006. Winter Park, CO, Started out on board, after one crazy morning of falls and eventually physical and mental exhaustion, succumbed to skis once more.

January 2010. Snow Creek once more, skied in the morning, decided to switch over to boarding along with a friend, Ed was on his all day. Actually got the hang of it. I don't have it 100% yet, but in a couple hours, I only had one icky fall, and was starting to carve a little. I'm so excited to try it in Colorado someday and felt the call of the board!!

Oh yes this is cool you ask, but why is this on a yoga blog? Well, it's yoga and life and this has been about a 15 year journey in my life. My yoga exploration began in approximately 2003 and from 2005 on I have been practicing yoga pretty much weekly or more. Is that why I finally cracked the snowboard mystery today, my first time on since yoga began? Maybe, I definitely felt better core strength, smoother ability to twist my upper body, more quad and knee flexibility, and I "found" my center of balance on the board. Oh yeah, and I am NOT goofy, I'm fakie (used my board regular with left foot forward, but my board was set up the other way). Maybe yoga helped me realize that for my body regular is most natural.

Namaste and see you on the corduroy!

Kat

1.06.2010

If you're happy and you know it...

My sister recently mentioned making a trip to Salvation Army to donate some items she no longer needs and mentioned she's reading a book on happiness. I saw on the news that they are in great need of coats, hats, and any warm weather gear at the KC, MO Salvation Army, there is more need this year than many others. Recently I adopted a family of 8 in Kansas City, KS and with the help of many friends and family we were able to provide this family with some nice gifts for the children for Christmas. They told me this was a record year and they had more families than ever. In these times of lost jobs and great need, how can we maintain our happiness?

This book shares some excellent options. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Craft Rubin highlights ways we can start our own Happiness Project. Find out more at her web page, click the title of the blog above to go there or you can copy and paste the link below!

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Clap your hands! Stomp your Feet! Read the Book!

Namaste,
Kat

1.02.2010

Ring it out!

To celebrate the new year, let us turn to a famous poet. Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote "In Memorium" to a dear friend. This section, 126 (CVI) seems to relate well to my thoughts as we close Chapter 2009 and open to 2010.

In Memoriam A.H.H.

CVI.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Namaste,
Kat

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