A Saturday Song...

Yesterday, I had a wonderful day with my boys..  we did an amazing hike that was faced head on (with NO whining !!) till the end. Quiet contemplation and existential conversations made the day even more sweet.  My 2 year old showed us that indeed he can hold his own, while my oldest confirmed his belief in mother nature. To top it all off we got to have dinner with ones we love .. I'll have a lifetime of that day please. 

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

Monday Morning Yoga

Happy Spring Equinox! I feel almost relieved since this winter has seemed expecially wet and long to me. There are a few flowers on the Camilia tree out front, and snow drops in the flower beds.. but the sounds of the birds singing brings colour to my cheeks. Blessed be those little birds :)  With the recent family purchase of a Blue Orchard Mason Bee hive and twelve cocoons, my boys are filled with excitement over watching them hatch and everything that follows. So welcome spring, lets get this show on the road!!

I was thinking that since winter is cold and we tend to sit alot more than any other time of year, a great yoga pose to bring some heat and energy into our bodies would be Utkatasana (Chair Pose).  Push past the discomfort, find strength in your breath, believe in yourself and breathe..

Utkatasana

(Chair Pose)

Chair pose can be an awkward pose but it is a very powerful pose at the same time. It builds strength in the arms and legs, but also the mind. Breathing into the places that burn will help release the pain. It stimulates the abdominal organs, diaphragm and heart, and can even reduce flat feet. I find this pose challenges me to demand more of myself.

1. Stand with your feet hip width apart.

2. Raise your arms over your head keeping arms straight and shoulders down.

3. As you exhale, bend your knees and move your upper body forward at 45 degrees.

4. Bring your knees as close to parrallel to the floor as you can but remember to not let your knees go past your toes (so stick your bum out while keeping your back strainght)

5. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to a minute (try to do it 3 times with a standing rest in between) and enjoy.

Namaste

A Saturday Song...

Last night I had the most epic dream set in 1995, I thought I'd bring a bit back  :-) This one goes out to all my friends from the Pensionnat.. aye, on viellit!

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Birth...

I have not been a doula long. In three years, 10 births and many post-partum visits, I have witnessed strength, courage and incredible surrender by women and men alike. From home births, emergency ambulance rides, four day labours, unexpexcted c-sections, 11 pound babies born without drugs and to nearly having to deliver a baby myself (never had to, but have come very close.. bless the midwives:)). It's always a wild adventure. Having been through two births myself, each birth I attend brings up different emotions in me.  I worked in film and television for nearly 10 years and never once felt as important as I do in a single moment as a doula.  They say:" Love what you do" no?
 Yesterday, in the wee hours of the morning, I sat with two people I care deeply for, and witnessed them becoming parents for the second time. As I was driving home, I felt a wave of gratitude come over me. How grateful I am to be with the ones I love at such an important time in their lives. How honoured I am to be wanted and trusted at that time. Just as every birth is a blessing... every birth blesses those who get to be part of it.  I definitely feel blessed.

(foot model:  Little Oakley 2010)

Happy St-Patty's Day!

Well... a good song and a pint should do....

(please remember to make arrangements for a ride home after a wee night of celebration..)

Monday Morning Yoga

....or... Monday Night at 10 pm Yoga... at least thats the way it goes when the brand new computer dies... RIP...   Anyway, plugged in the old  'mother board could go any minute' laptop to get the weekly Yoga Pose in.

     This time of year is never without a steady stream of colds and flus it seems. Runny noses, buckets, coughs, many baths, and the soup, oh the soup. I am ever so grateful to the chickens that help us recover from late winter bugs...oh and to my dear, sweet washer and dryer... thank you.. kisses

      So, I was thinking that this is THE week to bring in Shava-asana, otherwise known as corpse pose. It is, simply put, delightful. Breathe and enjoy.

Shava-asana

(Corpse pose)

This posture can be deceivingly difficult. The goal here is to quiet the body AND mind, all the while staying present (mainly awake) :). When the thoughts come, it helps to acknowledge them and then let them go. Personally, I find this pose recalibrating and quite awesome.

1. Lay on your back with your legs slightly apart.

2. Let your feet fall to the sides so the hips can release.

3. Your arms at your side, away from your body with palms pointing up.

4. Relax your face, let the tongue fall away from the roof of your mouth and your eyes relax away from the lids.

5. I like to imagine there are three very warm stones, one in each palm and one at my third eye..it seems to work...

6. breath deeply and stay here for 5 minutes..

Namaste



A Saturday Song...

My thoughts and deepest of love to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan... here is a song for all of you...

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Monday Morning Yoga

Here you are again Monday morning...  and sooo early this morning was i awoken, that I got to see your sunrise...through tired eyes, still a wonder of beauty.  So, for this week I thought perhaps a pose with focus and energy to get the heart working and the mind calm. See if you can do this pose every day this week for a few minutes.. enjoy and don't forget to breathe.

             

Vriksha-asana
(tree pose)

 When Vriksha-asana is practiced on a regular basis, it cultivates concentration and helps to focus the mind. It also improves balance and coordination. Spiritually, I find it calming and grounding. Most people enjoy tree pose.. try it with your little ones..:)

1- Stand with your feet together and find an unmoving point of focus in front of you.
2- Take your right ankle into your hands and place it into the crease of your thigh... take your time to find a comfortable place here..

3- Bring your hands together and when you are ready and grounded raise your arms straight over your head keeping your arms by your ears.

4- Hold this pose as long as you can.. and remember, if you start to sway.. tree's sway.. stay grounded and Breathe.

5- switch legs

Namaste

A Saturday Song...

My dear friend Matthew McCully.. so much talent.

If you have a favorite song that kicks, then leave me a link in my comments.. enjoy:)

This Moment...

From Soulemama..

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Farmaggeddon.. say it ain't so!

I am waiting patiently for the release of this very important movie. We have reached a point (and really always have been) where we must question everything.. buy locally as much as possible.. but get off yer touchies and go visit those farms and farmer's markets. Somehow I still feel hopeful ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0imJ1SToz8&feature=autoplay&list=PLEF586DC18F725342&index=34&playnext=2