The MarilynYoga Chatter page
(Check back regularly for latest updates)
To respond to my Chatter articles or contribute –click here
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As you probably realise by now, I can chatter for England, but that is the delight of the internet, it is quite simple to publish an article on a website. One of my serious plans for 2011 is to make more use of that facility here on MarilynYoga.com. Hopefully I can make the site expand to create a resource for Yoga ideas and information to benefit not only all my students and friends, but everyone who has an interest in the subjects that continue to fill my life with joy. I welcome your comments and feedback and would like to encourage you to contact me with your ideas and views. You may also send comments and stories, though please indicate if you would prefer me to not publish them on ‘Chatter’ or the other new pages of my website.
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Thursday 14th April 2011
Make the effort ...or just too much trouble?
How many times do you hear "I can't come to yoga because I am not flexible" The practise of yoga will encourage and HELP your flexibility and strength. You don't say "I can't go to french lessons because I don't speak french" you go to learn to speak french. It is the same with yoga and meditation. People say "I can't do meditation. My mind won't stop and be still" Of course it won't. This is normal. This is what minds do. But when we get to a quiet environment, with like minded people, our minds are encouraged to rest. It is such a relief after all that busyness. It won't and doesn't happen all at once, like after a few french lessons you are not suddenly fluent in the language, but it comes, slowly and gently. Yoga classes are not gymnastics. We are not there to achieve legs around the head or any other pretzel style, we are there, the ultimate aim, is to quieten our minds to give ourselves a little space away from the madness that is sometimes our world. Sometimes this comes after a good yoga asana work out, stretching the aches and pains out, and it can make it easier to sink into relaxation. Relaxation and quiet times (meditation) are vital for our own health and sanity, and like french lessons, the effect is cumulative. Flexibilty and strength are delicious side effects. You will soon be fluent in yoga. It makes a difference. You will feel lighter, more joyous,more at peace with yourself and the world. But you have to do it... do it... not think about it, read about it or "do it next week, because something has come up" It takes effort and commitment, but it is so so worth it. Summer is coming.. lighter nights.. easier to come out of the house to yoga class, sometimes, but sometimes the pull of the evening in the garden a with a glass of wine, wins. The effects of the yoga class are so much more lasting. The hardest thing about yoga is getting your mat out, or going to the class.
To respond to my Chatter articles or contribute–click here
Saturday 26th February 2011
It isn't just me. Spring is starting to sneak through.
Rafts and rafts of snowdrops have suddenly appeared, up and waving. Where have they been? Vibrant crocus, saying "Me too. Me too". The sun beaming through the windows, (showing up the dirt!) It's all making me feel quite giddy. So I just had to ‘Chatter’ about some other ways of staying upbeat now the better weather is arriving.
Get up and swing.
Swinging dispels bad moods. Just do it... wherever. If you see someone in Sainsburys swinging you will know what they are doing (probably).
They will most likely be doing it a bit secretly. Help them out.
Join in with them until the whole store is at it. It will be just like a movie, and everybody will be laughing. I guarantee that it is infectious.
Don't block your negative thoughts.
Let them come. Watch them... and laugh.
Take two minutes each day to breathe,
Watch your breath and breathe better (as taught in your Yoga classes) the quality of your breath influences how long and how well you live. We can all live a long life, but do we want to be propped up with pills and potions? Let's live long and well.
Your respiratory system has it's own immune system
Flowing water...
And we have had plenty of that!
It gives you energy and lifts your mood.
Take an extra shower, don't drop into that "Another no shower day".
Showers give off negative ions... a mood booster.
And then there's torrential rain!
Surprise yourself. Go out in it.
Get properly dressed for it and ENJOY it. It can be exhilarating.
Make sure your tongue is in the bottom of your mouth.
It loosens the hold our jaw has on you.
Do it. Feel it.
If you focus on your in-breath, it brings energy to you.
The out-breath releases and relaxes.
Feel the difference!
Concentrate on what you need at the present moment.
Spring is stirring now and hopefully we have all kept well through the winter months, it always feels like a time to de-tox, spring clean and clear out, so watch for more ideas on this.
To respond to my Chatter articles or contribute–click here
Saturday 19th February 2011
It's working!
...we ARE spreading love.
We declared Global Week Of Love, from February 7th to February 14th, Valentine's day. In the classes during that week all students were given three chocolate hearts. It was suggested that you keep one for yourself, give one to someone you love, and one to someone you either don't love so much, or to someone you don't know.
One student went with her friend to Tesco.
She gave one heart to her friend. Then they went to the cafe for a drink.
At the counter, while getting the drink, there was a young man serving. She gave a heart to the young man, who looked at her and was well pleased. She also asked him if he would give her other heart to another young man who she could see but not reach. He did as she asked. A few moments later, when they were getting spoons and sugar, the second young man came over to her and asked if she had sent the heart. She said she had, and he said how very kind and thank you and that it had really cheered him up.
Hey, hey, we’re winning!
Why not practice random acts of kindness? See how it makes YOU feel.
Have You had any reactions to the GWOL?
If so, Email them to me now –click here
To respond to my Chatter articles or contribute–click here
Previous Chatter –January 2011 (Our first)
Winter Wellness
You may like to consider some of these practical points.
For colds:
As you know when you have a really runny nose,this is simply nature’s way of fighting an infection. Nature gathers itself around the invader in the form of mucus, which it then wants to expel, and the bacteria with it.
I have found the best thing to do at the first hint of a runny nose, is to practise neti, the sinus wash. In doing this you are encouraging the mucus to come away from you and hopefully any bacteria with it. De-congestants can work in entirely the opposite way, keeping the mucus inside you, holding it so that you feel more comfortable, but you don’t actually expel the germs, and you can feel just as bad as ever when the four hours are over.
For sore throats:
Gargle with salt water.
For chesty coughs:
(I love this) Rub Vic vapour rub into the souls of your feet before going to bed. Put socks over your feet. The warmth from the rub will permeate [that is the only word] up through your body and make you feel warm all over. The scent and rubbing, work as refleoxology and get to your chest to relieve the cough. The foot massage has the added benefit of helping to give you a really good night’s sleep. What could be nicer?
for colds, coughs..and sore throats inhale tee tree, eucalyptis or Olbas oil. Put a few drops of either, or a mix, in a bowl of steaming water, put a towel over your head and breathe it in. It’s fabulous. Again if you are having trouble sleeping add no more than 2 drops of lavender.
For Winter blues:
Again neti... good for the relief of depression –it’s true– you won’t know until you try it!
Go out for a walk.. however bad you feel, you will feel better, even if it’s pouring with rain.That well known spiritual guru, Billy Connolly, says there is no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothes. Green spaces have been shown to reduce depression. Try to aim for at least 10 minutes a day, better in daylight, for optimum mood lifting. Eat lunch or breakfast outside, well wrapped up... feel the breeze on your face.. it’s god’s breath.
Sing.. sing .. sing... Sing out loud, and dance.
Watch a favourite joyful film, maybe with friends, or dig out the Absolutely Fabulous series and have a good belly laugh.
To meditate:
It’s easy. It’s pleasurable and delivers straight away. It will help your body to get the deep rest it needs to stay healthy and it will allow your mind to switch off.
To respond to my Chatter articles or contribute–click here
Sue responded:
My husband used my neti pot for the first time yesterday & his exact words were "it's a revelation".
Jane S responded:
I tried the Vics vapour rub on my feet - what a treat. It felt like aromatherapy and when I woke up my cold was much better. I am tempted to do it every night in this cold weather!
Thanks Marilyn.
Happy New Year xx
Helen responded:
Hi Marilyn
Tried the Vicks and cold a bit better but I did have lovely soft feet in the morning. Going to try again tonight as too blocked up for Neti (would have to spend all night tilted over the sink before anything moved!!) xxx
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