It’s okay, we all get irritable sometimes (or maybe a lot of the time) … what will we do or think or feel when we NOTICE that irritation?

Ayurveda & Yoga holistic sciences that have been around for millenia — and these systems have been empowering individuals like you & I to

PAUSE,

NOTICE,

DECIDE.

We can decide to IGNORE our body’s irritation, or our mind’s irritation … “power through” is the modern Western mantra … or numb the irritation with food, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, supplements, medication … and the irritation may or may not subside in the moment, only to revisit us with more force later on.

We can decide to AGGRAVATE our body or our mind’s irritation … more aggravating food because I love it! more anger! more hustling/doing/achieving!

We can decide to LISTEN to our body’s irritation, or our mind’s irritation … for the lack of ease IS a message …

… and this message can provide us clues, along with our knowledge of our own rhythms & the rhythms of Nature, as to how to soothe, calm, and/or build … so that we can once again experience our natural state of balance. This is the practice of Ayurveda & Yoga.

Register for Yoga & Ayurveda for Balancing Digestion — a workshop at OMBody on April 24th at https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/LBLZ9R

Note to self: The traditional Yoga practices of relaxation (pratyahara) & meditation (dharana / dhyana) are

NOT about “blissing out” … these

p r a c t i c e s

support us in tuning in … to all the thoughts & feelings

begging for attention … & allow us

s p a c e

to choose what we keep & what we gently say “thank you” to

(those thoughts/feelings that were trying to keep us safe, for example)

& send along its way.

So when you meditate, you’re DOING MEDITATION JUST FINE when thoughts & feelings arise … you’re allowing space for whatever comes up, stuff that may’ve been buried for a while & finally gets listened to … & when it’s hard … WHEN it’s hard, not if … then love on yourself extra that day. You’ve had a breakthrough, & deserve rest, extra care & love.

I Am Thankful for… 

…the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

…the taxes I pay because it means that I am employed.

…the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

…my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

…a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means that I have a home.

…the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

…all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

…my huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.

…the lady behind me who sings off key because it means I can hear.

…the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.

…the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.

…weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

– Det är aldrig kört, Kristina Reftel, 1999

Sign up for classes & workshops HERE: OmBody on Schedulicity

There’s a lot that goes around in the health & wellness world about how much one “should” be doing and what is enough “to get results.” Yoga invites us to see from a different perspective. 

Yoga is the science of self-realization — and it’s a unique science to each individual. What supports you in being your best self in the world will be different than what supports me, though there may be some overlap. Furthermore, what supports me NOW may not support me a few weeks, months or years from now. For example, my physical practice was consistently vigorous 13 years ago … that’s what I needed at the time. These days, I vary my pace, length & content of my personal practice according to the season, my current energy level, & my current mental state. My practice may be physical on a particular day, yet more often I focus on combining physical, breathwork, relaxation & meditation in equal measure. 

Many of you have cultivated a yoga practice over many years … how has your practice changed? What have you enjoyed about those changes, and what have you felt challenged by? 

You may be new to the yoga practices … what practices are calling to you right now? What excites you about practicing, either with others or on your own? No need to get technical or feel like “I should be doing x, y or z.” Just what makes your body & mind happy — that’s the self-realization right there.

No matter how often we practice, the length of time or specific content of our practice, know that none of your energy is wasted. ANY amount of time you put into your yoga practices is ALREADY reaping you benefits, whether you notice them like a big sign over your head, or simply feel a subtle feeling that “hey, this feels pretty good.”

I look forward to practicing with you this week! (or supporting you from afar in your own practice!)

As within, so without … & vice versa. In Ayurveda, the science of longevity & daily well-being, the season of winter ❄️ is of the elements Air & Ether.
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We may feel dry, cold, rough … We may feel our digestion is variable, or that our minds feel a little spacey … Nature, too, is showing us Her dry, cold, rough, mobile and light qualities.
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How can we find balance during this season? Nourishing, warm, simple foods … REST … warmth (especially around the throat, ears, and feet) … did I mention rest?
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Today I used a weighted blanket for my Yoga Nidra practice … Holy Groundedness, Batman! For me, totally countered the spacey, ungrounded feeling that winter sometimes evokes in my body/mind.
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The light, subtle properties of Winter can also allow us to dream more easily, access our creativity … so wrap yourself up & indulge in creative expression ! (Mine today was making EO sprays for clients & friends to welcome the new year ❤️)
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Want to learn more about how the seasons affect YOUR unique constitution? Join me on January 16th for the first session of Yoga & Ayurveda at OmBody Massage and Wellness. Register at 724.320.9386.
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Latest Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ericaengel/hathayoga-01032022

#hathayoga #yogaeveryday #ayurveda #beginnersmind #wellness #longevity #youareworthit #winter #wintervibes

You have the Power to Protect Your Peace.
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The next few weeks will provide ample opportunity to amp up … physically, emotionally, mentally.
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Take time … And you must TAKE it, for it will rarely be given … to protect your peace.
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This may look different for everyone … some of us find peace in community, others in solitude … some in activity, others in rest … regardless, plan & take time to return to you.
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For me, Savasana is the ultimate rebellion against the frenetic movement of this season … and the ultimate taking-a-stand FOR peace … by laying down!
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Moreover, preparing your space for support, comfort and warmth in Savasana adds even more power to our conviction that taking rest is the way toward peace as we enter 2022.
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So BE BOLD. Take what you need for rest. This year has taken so much … Let’s gently yet firmly claim our birthright of PEACE & REST.
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Happy Savasana, Friends.

#hathayoga #yogaeveryday #morethanasana #savasana #pause #rest #vivalaresistance #yourpracticematters #letsrest

My Grandma loved the crow outside her window at Cedar Bay … As we chatted on Skype or by phone, she would tell me about the crow’s comings and goings in the courtyard. She looked forward to his visits. She once said, “everybody else here isn’t particularly fond of that crow, but I like him.” 🥰

Thank you, Dear Crow, wherever you may be, for offering companionship, joy and a sense of normal to my grandma during a very abnormal time. I look forward to our encounters, honoring & remembering my Grandma. 🙏🏼

I’d love to hear your encounters with the Crow — physically or with Crow Wisdom. Please share your insights in the comments — thank you for helping me remember my Grandmother ❤️.

Anyone doing winter gardening? I’d love your insights!

#microgreens #wintergardening #coldframegardening #experiment