yoga practice

Hardest Yoga Pose Made Easier with Yogi Wiener Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Hardest Yoga Pose Made Easier with Yogi Wiener Dog

I’ve read that Savasana is the hardest yoga pose because of it being a conscious pose while you are awake, but that it’s about relaxing.

I’d have to agree, as some mornings I’m anxious to get on with my day after my yoga practice. To lie there feels like I’m doing nothing. But I know better. So I have to remind myself how this pose helps to calm my whole nervous system and it really is quite beneficial.

Just when I wanted to cut it short this morning, I opened my eyes slightly to see Yogi Wiener Dog peeking down on me.

Okay, so I admit, I did cut it short. But how could I not to capture this picture?!…though I did take it lying in Savasana pose!

The snout of Yogi Wiener Dog trying to make sure I followed through.  Next time Master Yogi. Next time.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Practicing Yoga with a Jackhammer. There’s a Lesson in This.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Practicing Yoga with a Jackhammer. There's a Lesson in This.

For the past three weeks I’ve been taking part in a yoga class every Wednesday morning. While I’ve practiced yoga at home for quite a few years now, I wanted to brush up on the poses to make sure I’m doing them correctly and learn some new breathing techniques.

The class is small which is nice and the teacher is someone I’ve gotten to know over the past year. I enjoy her calming presence and energy. The class is held on the first floor of a building that has been vacant for quite a few years. I’m not sure what is upstairs, but next door is a bar. Interesting balance, huh?

Last week while we were getting ourselves into tree pose, some using the wall to steady themselves, me right into the pose without help as it’s my favorite one, it was then we heard what sounded like a jackhammer coming from upstairs. Talk about distraction! Alex, the instructor who had her back to us turned to look at us, with her mouth formed in a big O, while at the same time a small smile behind her surprised expression.

The noise and Alex’s funny expression knocked me right out of tree pose. At first the thought ran through my mind that didn’t they know we were having a yoga session downstairs? Couldn’t they wait to start up the jackhammer until the class ended?

But I was reminded of what yoga teaches us and that it is about being present and calm while on the mat, but also taking that same philosophy off the mat… and even when a jackhammer is drowning out the instructions from the yoga instructor.

I immediately dismissed my frustrated thoughts and followed along with Alex who was doing the same. There was another burst of jackhammer as we moved into another pose and I realized this may last the duration of the class. It would be a practice of learning to stay present despite the commotion above us.

But how interesting in accepting this may be the case, that we were gifted with no more jackhammer intrusions after the second outburst. And how this is a practice to bring into our daily lives when the day isn’t going as planned or you encounter anger – to practice staying in the present, keep calm, and know it will pass soon enough.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Daily Rituals.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Like brushing my teeth, my daily rituals have become an important foundation of grounding me for my day. If I miss a day or two I just feel differently- and a bit off balance.

I feel much better when I don’t rush into my day and can do these rituals that I look forward to.

Do you have a favorite ritual or two?  I’d love to know!

Thank you for subscribing to my blog updates.