Finding Flow – Yoga Code Style

A week ago an email arrived in my inbox from Jackie Dumaine, a yoga instructor and coach I worked with over the past year.  It was an email drafted to her clients, which issued a challenge at the end…

“Whatever it is you have on your schedule to do today, take a few minutes to go through the principles of The Yoga Code and pick ONE of them that you will commit to practicing for the upcoming week, starting today.  You may choose one that you feel at ease with, or you may choose one that you've been struggling with.  Either way, it doesn't matter - pick one and commit to living it.  Fully living it, in all that you do.”

I have spent the last week thinking about the email, but failing to make a commitment to take action.  I would review the 10 Yoga Code principles, which are the Yamas and the Niyamas of the yoga practice often not discussed in the Asana (physical) practice.  These 10 principles can be found on Jackie’s website (http://www.jackiedumaine.com/the-10-sacred-principles/). 

As I moved away from sitting on my small couch to eat meals, to sitting at my small kitchen table to eat my dinner, I would stare at the Yoga Code - 10 Sacred Principles handout hanging on the side of my fridge.  I received this handout when I took the Yoga Code workshop just over a year ago.  Why could I not commit to one thing for 7 days?  Was I afraid of failing?  Was I afraid of succeeding?  And in the honest truth, no one knew I was going to be doing this so really the only person that would know if I completed it was me!  And yet I wasn’t committing. 

Yesterday I made the decision – Svadhyaya, which means self-study, observing and learning.  I told myself I just needed an extra week for everything to soak in and really read and explore the principles and choose the one that was right for me here and now. This morning though, a giggle was set free when I opened up my book from the workshop.  My favorite of the 10 principles is “Tapas” (burning commitment and inner discipline).  When I opened my book, written in green pen on my note sheet was “Tapas – a 30 day challenge or commitment to doing something.”  Without awareness I had actually committed to my favorite principle this past week.  I have set the challenge to create a daily self-care routine and stick to it for the next 30-days.  What makes me smile – one of the commitments is to eat at the table, which is where I spent my time staring at the 10 principles of the Yoga Code. 

 *~*ASIDE: If I am being honest, part of the reason it is my favorite is because it is one that I can always remember.  Tapas – like the Spanish version of appetizers, which go great with Cava Sangria.

This week – although I am continuing on with my Tapas of inner discipline, I am adding on to it Sadhyaya – self study.  This week will be about bringing awareness to my actions and thoughts. 

Here is to finding flow and freedom!

Big Changes

My life has undergone a number of large changes since my last post.

The biggest is likely the move between cities - at least this time I stayed within the same province.  I find it a bit amusing that I was just getting things settled in my house, when I had to pick up and move.  There are a number of things I am grateful for with this move, in particular a kitchen with more counter space to prepare food on and a larger fridge.  I am also no longer living in a basement, my place has windows and light and I am enjoying the summer sun!

The change is cities came about due to a change in jobs - my contract had ended and I was able to secure a new job that will allow me to move forward in my career.  I started the job only days after my stuff arrived in my new city and although I got a lot unpacked, not too much has happened since starting the new job. 

This major change in my life has also sparked me to take a look and evaluate other areas of my life and see where change is needed.  Although I have been here just under a month, things are changing consistently as I move towards creating a healthy balanced life.  This includes creating habits around food and eating, such as eating at a table; as well as exercise.  The challenges are becoming more apparent and I am still searching for how to get involved in a new city and where things are located.  I would like to get back to running and into a dance class in the fall; however I will have to wait to see what unfolds. 

I am excited about this new chapter in my life and sharing it here with other people.