Front Porch Yoga » Abundance http://www.frontporchyoga.com A Place to Pause Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:42:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Glass of Water http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/24/glass-of-water/ http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/24/glass-of-water/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:19:50 +0000 Grace http://www.frontporchyoga.com/?p=2050 In the spirit of today (Thanksgiving), I want to offer my sincere gratitude for each and every one of you that is part of the Front Porch Yoga community. I am blessed that you all are sharing in my yoga journey, and I so appreciate you!

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Have you ever reflected on whether or not you are a “glass is half full” or “glass is half empty” kind of person?

I attended a satsang this past weekend at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society. The satsang included music, meditation, and a beautiful reflection on the meaning of gratitude by visiting Sister Pravrajika Vrajaprana.

My favorite part was when she was reflecting on the glass half full versus glass half empty idea. She put it quite simply like this:

What about being grateful for HAVING A GLASS?

What about being grateful for HAVING WATER?

Rather than focusing on the empty/full part (interpreting or defining the state of the object), what about reflecting on WHAT IS.

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

The good, the bad, the ugly…everything leading up to this very moment has created RIGHT NOW for you. Rejoice in the many miracles that have supported your journey.

“Human beings learn through pain. We just do. So instead of playing the victim or blaming…let’s step into gratitude for the times that challenge us. Almost every challenge, hard time or seeming disaster – overtime – will prove to be immense acts of Grace and beauty. We, today, have the opportunity to see these moments as what they truly are – a miracle – and that chance, in our perspective, is the miracle indeed.” -Mastin Kipp

I might start writing a gratitude journal again. For a few years, I was dedicated to keeping a daily catalogue of all things I was grateful for, but I got out of the habit. I think it might be time to start the practice again.

After all, one of my most favorite yogi tea quotes is: “An attitude of gratitude brings opportunities.” Begin by saying thank you for everything!

Do you ever journal about the miracles- great and small- in your life?

Choose love,
Grace

]]> http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/24/glass-of-water/feed/ 0 Healthy Living Event http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/14/healthy-living-event/ http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/14/healthy-living-event/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:31:03 +0000 Grace http://www.frontporchyoga.com/?p=2028 On Tuesday November 22nd, the Emerald Necklace Martial Arts studio where I teach yoga is hosting an Evening of Healthy Living and Healthy Eating. The night will include a FREE yoga class (taught my yours truly), a veg potluck, and a screening of the film “Forks Over Knives“. If you plan to attend, bring a canned good (or two) for the Greater Boston Food Bank, bring a veg dish to share, and bring some loving-kindness.

In the spirit of the event, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of my favorite healthy eating and nutrition-related resources (in no particular order). Please note, I love the library. It’s one of the first places that I seek out when I move to a new city (obviously, yoga studios are on that list of first places as well!). I’m a big proponent of borrowing books instead of buying them. I live in Boston, so I am linking to the Boston Public Library’s catalog. If you’ve never been to the library in your  neighborhood, GO! Magic happens there- I promise.

Grace’s list of favorite healthy eating and nutrition-related resources

Eat like a yogi:

The Shoshoni Cookbook by Anne Saks
Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners by Amadea Morningstar (this is on my list of books to read, but I’ve been told it’s amazing!)

Making raw food accessible to the masses:

Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Phyo
Choosing Raw Blog by Gena Hamshaw

No more white sugar:

Baking with Agave Nectar by Ania Catalano

Looking deeper at your eating compulsions (for those of us who eat for comfort):

The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size by Julia Cameron

Michael Pollen. I love him (enough said.):

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

In Defense of Food

A holistic (mind, body, spirit: not just food) guide to health:

Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston

Fun at Farmers’ Markets:

Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America’s Farmers’ Markets by Deborah Madison

The FREE yoga class will kick off this dynamic foodie event at 6:30pm! Please join us for a delicious evening- a perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with the ENMA community!

Care to share any of YOUR favorite healthy living resources?

Choose love,
Grace

PS You don’t have to come for the whole thing. If your schedule only allows time for the movie: no worries! If you can only squeeze in time for the yoga class: sounds great! And if you just wanna chow down on some food: perfect-o! Make it YOUR night out. Customize the experience to suit YOUR needs.

]]> http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/11/14/healthy-living-event/feed/ 0 Collage for Fall http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/10/01/collage-for-fall/ http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/10/01/collage-for-fall/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:55:17 +0000 Grace http://www.frontporchyoga.com/?p=1944 This summer has been quite the whirlwind: our big move, starting a new part-time retail job, beginning my classes at the martial arts space, and reconnecting with family and friends in New England! I decided that it was time to create a new journey collage, and when I looked up the creation date of my last one, I was really surprised to see that it’s been an entire year since I’d made a new one. Definitely time for a new one!

The collage that I created last November had some wonderful themes: being myself, taking care of myself, and leading a simple and happy life!


The new collage that I created this week (shown above) emphasizes small moments, eating nutritiously, being gentle, opening to new ideas, and living a delicious life full of fun! Here are the particulars:

Life is about moments.
Make someone happy.
Trust your instincts.
We grow joy.
Energy.
Lighten up.
Bliss.
An invitation.
Openings.
Absolutely.
Gentle.
Really shines.
Happy meals.
A spoonful of mmmm.
Fresh idea.
Savor.
Revelation.
Nourish.
Take care.
Remember the fun.

When was the last time you made a journey collage?

Choose love,
Grace

]]> http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/10/01/collage-for-fall/feed/ 0 Remembering September 11 http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/09/11/remembering-september-11/ http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/09/11/remembering-september-11/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:53:57 +0000 Grace http://www.frontporchyoga.com/?p=1913 I’ve kept a personal journal for over 20 years, and since I’ve been sharing bits from my teacher training journal, I thought it would be interesting to share my personal entry from 10 years ago today…September 11, 2001. I wish I had written more about the specific feelings that had surfaced, but back then I mostly wrote facts of each day. It gives you a pretty good idea that I was scared, didn’t understand, was pretty naive, and really wanted to please others. Looking back on it now, I wish I had called in sick for my first day…

Tues Sept 11, 2001 ATTACK ON AMERICA

Today was surreal. Mum called me around 9:30 to tell me 2 planes had crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC + one in the Pentagon in DC. The planes had been hi-jacked, which I don’t understand at all – how could FOUR dif. planes w/ dif. airlines been hi-jacked? how did they get past security at the airports? But I sat in front of the TV in shock as I watched the twin towers collapse to the ground. So many people were injured and dead. ALL regular programs on tv + radio were cancelled for the day as “breaking” news was aired. I got horrible goosebumps + tears came to my eyes + I was so shaken up watching it. Then I had to go to my 1st shift of training as a hostess at Ciro’s restaurant + pretend I was OK. But there was so much to learn and remember – I was completely overwhelmed. My boss is really nice + patient + really good at being manager, so I’m wicked nervous I’ll disappoint him. :( Talked with Heather + Sarah on the phone after work – they were both pretty upset, too.

Some important lessons that I learned from that day:

CLING LESS: In the blink of an eye, everything can change. Non-attachment can be so hard, especially in our culture of want, want, want. But cling less, and be willing to let go.

WE ARE ONE: I specifically remember how everyone came together to support one another after that day. There were American flags EVERYWHERE. Everyone seemed to band together and lend a helping hand. The tragedy brought the nation together. Regardless if you knew someone in the towers that day, you still felt the horrific terror of being suddenly UNSAFE, no matter where you went. It was an important reminder that we are all connected.

SAY I LOVE YOU: Tell at least one person that you know and love that you love them.

What lessons did you learn on September 11?

Choose love,
Grace

]]> http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/09/11/remembering-september-11/feed/ 0 Starting and Ending Your Day http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/08/28/starting-and-ending-your-day/ http://www.frontporchyoga.com/2011/08/28/starting-and-ending-your-day/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:49:26 +0000 Grace http://www.frontporchyoga.com/?p=1880 Have you ever thought about how the beginning and end of your day shape your life? I have been feeling a bit scattered lately. I wake up with a long to-do list running through my head. I race through my day, trying to be as productive as possible. I go to bed thinking about all the things I have to get done the following day. And I never catch up, no matter how hard I try. I know, deep down, that a quiet moment or two could really help me pace myself and possibly even bring me back to balance.

So here’s my new “cheat sheet” for morning and evening quiet time:

At the beginning of the day:
Express gratitude: thank you for my peaceful rest, this moment, and the upcoming day.
Give yourself a hug: tell yourself “I love you.”
Acceptance: I accept myself the way I am.
Surrender: I release control and allow my day to unfold as it will.
Change: I commit to growth while remaining connected to my center.
Service: How may I serve?
Intention: What is my intention for today?
Trust: I have faith in myself.
I am open to receive everything the universe has to offer!

At the end of the day…
Express gratitude: thank you for my day, this moment, and my upcoming peaceful rest.
Give yourself a hug: tell yourself “I love you.”
Forgiveness: What can I let go of?
Truth: Guides and guardian angels please keep me safe and show me your light.
Prayer: I send love to anyone who needs it, especially those who are hurting and alone.
I release all tension in my body and mind.

What do you include in your morning/evening ritual- besides coffee?

Choose love,
Grace

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