My Body Is A Playground For Rinpoche

My little angel has finally joined us in our new home and, at first, I was very heart-broken because I was worried he would never adjust. He was so skittish, never wanted to come out from under the bed, and barely presented the opportunity to hold him. But now he's getting out more (even though we have to lock in out of the bedroom to make sure that he puts an attempt at being social) and is even getting involved with my morning yoga!
Upon peeking around the corner, out to the living room where I was doing my morning practice, sweet Rinpoche raced to me to rub his fuzzy wittle self on my face while in down-dog (a-choo). Apparently, my body is a playground for him and my practice is all the better for it. Instead of stepping up to forward fold from my down-dog, I decided to do another vinyasa with consideration to the little bundle of love laying on my mat just below my stomach. Excellent form. My limbs were strong and unshaken, knowing that I would squish the poor thing if I was at all lazy. With no care for my perfectly safe movements above him, Rinpoche moved off the mat in search for another way to be adorably distracting.
Oh, little Rinpoche. <3

Energy

The energy we use, the energy we create, the energy we release during practice is not for ourselves.
We use, create, and let go of things for others-- to be compassionate.
We welcome positive energy within us when we're on the mat
and release the negative, breathing in the balance that permits harmony.
The harmony of inhale and exhale that makes life not only possible, but magical.

Grad Students and Vinyasas-- Wherever They Can Be Fit In!

It's been quite a while since my last post. A lot has been going on but little worth writing about and not much time to spare. I've recently subscribed to Elephant Journal, the wonderful all-around-health-centered online journal. $13/year for unlimited reads and views. Pretty good since I always end up on the site; two free articles a day wasn't cutting it.
My yoga practice has been good though there have been a few days where I haven't done it, like today, because I've had to wake up early for work (like 4 AM kinda early) or because I partied hard (well worth it). In the end, it's all about getting right back on the horse. No time for yoga in the morning? Not allowed to skip the next day. I've noticed I have trouble with physical activity as well as mental stamina when I don't do my morning vinyasas. It's becoming more and more clear that yoga is apart of me and I don't think I'm going to ever be able to be my happy self again without it. There's only so much energy your body can accept before it becomes congested. Just like with the practice, you have to exhale anything that does not serve you-- let it go.
I really miss my yoga classes :( Once again I am without one because the instructor canceled it. I haven't encountered her since her last class so I'm not sure why; perhaps she had trouble with class scheduling and assignments. I'm definitely in the same boat with two jobs and being a full-time grad student.
I just need to kick my butt to a new class; the trouble is time. The other class I'm interested in attending is a Power Yoga class but it's at 7pm on Sundays. Very tough working and being a student... I'll need to make some more choices soon and I may have to disappoint some wonderful people at work.
Luckily my mom is always there reminding me that, in the end, I have to consider what I need and that I'm a student.
Well I'm about to crash. I'll try not to take so long with my next post.

Namaste.

AzodicarBut I Thought My Bread Was Fresh Made?

Big question for the food businesses and industries out there: Why can't you just serve food? Like, the stuff that occurs naturally--in nature. You know, the areas of the world untouched by industrialization and the rape of the word food?
I was recently reading an article on yet another additive to food products (I stress the difference between food and food products because real food shouldn't involve so many steps to make it into your bowl or onto your plate.). This specific additive is called Azodicarbonamide and it has multipurpose use: foamy plastics and fluffy breads. Like, edible breads-- the ones you eat from Subway.
Why add crap to our food products? To keep them products. It's not about nutrition, it's just about sale. It's not about health, it's about triggering that sugary clasp in your mind to keep you coming back for more... to keep selling.
When I read articles like these it reminds me why my mind and body has changed so much since I started focusing my meals on fresh ingredients (except oatmeal; I may want to start looking into the brands of instant I buy) and made it a goal to eat as little out of boxes as possible. Yes, produce has the issue of pesticides but at least I know I have the organic option as well as vinegar wash to help minimize unnaturals from my food.
I'm feeling really frustrated, the more I think about it. No other country does what we do, to the extent that we do.
The US is the land of opportunity and, unfortunately, the opportunities are seized by big corporations and make food into products. The death of bread, cheese, juice, and the like seems inevitable. Why would someone buy fresh when they can buy a loaf that will never mold or harden over a year's time? Why would anyone want to actual eat a naturally nutritional food item instead of a product of a long toxic process that supports an unhealthy American diet?

End of rant for desire for real food everywhere.

Give

Be compassionate. To every sentient being. 

Powerful commercial for helping those in need:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/tear-jerker-truemove-thai-commercial_n_3922857.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Drop the Bags

From YogaLouStudios' Pinterest

My yoga practice has been doing well. It's the first thing I do when I wake up-- second, actually, to feeding Mr. Turtle and watering my plants. I've started attending a yoga class again and I'm happy to say I found another wonderful instructor. Kristen's class at the USF Rec Center is mostly driven by the requests of students but the compilation works almost seamlessly. If you know me personally, you probably know that the physical aspect of yoga isn't enough. For me, it goes into one's self and helps you breathe in the life around you.
Each yoga instructor has their own philosophy about what yoga does for the body and mind and it becomes more clear each time you attend their class. You can tell by the words they choose and the sorts of encouragement they provide. Kristen's phrase is one that really solidified my liking for her style; whenever we exhale, she says "Let anything go that does not serve you."  She tells us to be in the moment and enjoy it knowing that there is no where else but on our mat that we need to be. Letting go is difficult for many people, but when numerous things pile up that provide nothing but negative feelings, I'm the first to drop it and breathe. Why hold onto something if it causes you nothing but stress? In the practice, you have to let go of all that baggage because it shows through the practice; it holds you back. It may not hold you back physically, you could very well be doing strong hand stands, but you will feel shaky inside if you are thinking about financial troubles on your mat.
I've found it improves my own practice to just let it all go, if only for a little while. That's one thing about baggage-- it's always waiting right where you left it.

Mary Rose Quote

Do you ever come across a quote that really touches you, only to find that it follows you and reminds you of your lesson? This is one for me.

"What if gravity was a form of love and from her very core the Earth was holding you to her, whispering in your ear, 'I'll never let you go. We're in this together.'" - Mary Rose

I'm trying to find out who Mary Rose is and/or if this is from a book but nothing so far. Let me know if you have an idea.