Ground(ED)
Posted: October 2, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: Alternative, Anahata, blogging, Chakra, compassion, cycling, Earth, energy, family, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, Muladhara, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, perspective, pilates, Religion and Spirituality, running, Sahasrara, Sanskrit, simplicity, trail running, Walk, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 8 CommentsThe body, she says, is subject to the force of gravity. But the soul is ruled by levity, pure-
I often get asked how I retain a calm center when all that I know, all that I have been taught, all that I have so diligently built over the years, centered on “performance” and “perfection” appears to be slowly falling away as I get older – not wiser mind you, older?
You may feel personally challenged on multiple fronts today: A recent spat of dealing with injury – again, stressing too much about an upcoming race, yoga pants riding up on you during class, family matters, school and the old standby: Work. You may feel un-grounded.
Grounding yourself is a way to build a relationship with the Earth, that “thing” beneath your sparkly toes. Grounding ourselves means actively choosing to make a conscious connection between your self and the source of your life force energy. Breaking News: Your job, online relationship status and how many sun salutations you can do in a row are not your true source of life force energy. Grounding provides our spirit with precise GPS coordinates on our physical body.
Spirit —> Body
Notes-
Discovering our root center connects us directly to the pure essence of the Earth—not to the physical surface of the Earth where our daily lives are played out, but rather the living, breathing entity of Earth.
*The inspiration for this tedious post came as challenge from a friend: Explain Chakra, without using the word Chakra and make it digestible for “common folks” … How did I do?*
Flaw(ed)
Posted: September 25, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: Agape, Aristotle, biking, Bikram Yoga, blogging, compassion, cycling, Eros, fitness, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, Oscar Wilde, paleo, passion, perspective, Philautia, Philia, pilates, Romance, running, Self-love, simplicity, trail running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 10 CommentsThis thing about you that you think is your flaw – it’s the reason I’m falling in love with you-
Oscar Wilde once wrote that, “The essence of romance is uncertainty.” Why yes! The age-old strategy for finding love Is by playing hard-to-get, which helps spur yearning, desire and anticipation. Although there are other kinds of “love” and at times its confusing for many (especially myself) because unlike the great word smiths, writers and poets before our time. Today, love is a catchall term for literally, everything. Love carries little or no weight during a conversation, how many times have you said you Love running in the same sentence with: “I Love you.”
Join me by reintroducing other, seldom used terms or endearment back into the lexicon of the modern world. *Bonus points if you use these words with a loved one, stranger and whist working out today.*
Ludus, is a more playful form of affection found in fooling around and flirting. If you feel love for all “things“, humanity, nature, the stinky dude bent over in front of you in yoga class this morning? A more generalized love is Agape.
Philia, is deep, non-sexual intimacy between close friends, family and often at times – complete strangers. Philia can also manifest as a deep bond forged by people who have been through a dramatic or emotional experience together. Can you remember the kind folks who helped support you through your first marathon?
Lastly I want to leave you with the most profound kind of love … In order to love another I believe we also need a type of love called Philautia, which is self-love. It’s important to note that in order to care for others, we desperately need to care and love ourselves.
Notes:
Love is not something we fleetingly fall into. Be well today!
If Only (for) a Moment
Posted: August 26, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: biking, blogging, Blue Jay, compassion, cycling, exercise, Faithless, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, Gravel Worlds, happiness, health, hipster, Horticulture, kindness, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Oak, Omaha, passion, trail running, Tree, Walk, walking, whole foods, Willow, WOD, writing, yoga 12 CommentsFaithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens-
Often in my writing, I’ve mentioned my thoughts about nature and exploring the world outdoors. For me, there are few things as inspiring as gazing at a white tail fawn taking a drink from a stream or witnessing someone riding along on a trail with the wind dancing in the leaves, the branches of the willow trees playing a velvety note …
Do you have a space that sings to your heart as much if not more now than in the past? What created the change for you?
When I finish a long ride, I often sit and gaze out at the view I had come to love one last time. Then, suddenly I take notice … the bluest of Blue Jays confidently perched in a nearby oak tree. In all my years of being outside, looking, I had never seen his equal, in both color and presence. I watched him for what seemed like a long time, seconds in all actuality … and then he dropped from his perch, hurtling at top speed toward the earth before catching a gentle breeze and ascending to the tree tops.
I sat in this spot for a long while, appreciating the gift nature generously brought it to me. In this moment I traveled back through the years, the many miles I have ridden, run, walked … To the many opportunities that nature had presented kindly to me. Often I answered, more times than naught I didn’t.
Notes:
Driving to work this morning, gazing at a different face of natures beautiful presence. I’m reminded of the Blue Jay I recently met and the message he shared with me. We are here only for a moment, surrender to it.
Be well and have an A1 day!
No Pun Intended
Posted: May 21, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, exercise, free range, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nebraska, Omaha, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga, Yoga Rocks the Park 16 CommentsYou may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one-
I often feel like I’m cycling into a 40 knot headwind when it comes to writing about mindfulness, wellness and other stuff here on this blog-o-thing. From the yoga fashionistas who regard me incredulously when I say that “looking good” is a selfish goal to set in yoga class, to the pervasive but iniquitous message that we all just need to participate in more mud runs, be more extreme, elite, hardcore in order to live a healthier life, my increasingly strong belief that we are going about this all wrong is not a popular one to say the very least.
Every now and then I meet up with some kindred spirits during a walk or brisk bike ride, who confirm what we see every day, but choose to ignore: Despite being a society hopelessly obsessed with health, longevity, exercise and taking pictures of food, we are in fact unhealthy, unhappy and bereft of many of the simple joys of life as a direct result of our obsessions.
How about we abandon the idea of exercise as a virtuous counterbalance, absolve ourselves of the guilt that inevitably accompanies unfulfilled resolutions, tune out the constant exhortations to “get ripped”, lose weight and instead embrace the simple pleasure of putting one foot in front of the other, simply because we were born with the ability to do so and we too often don’t.
Let’s cut right to the heart of what’s wrong with our attitudes in regards to mindfulness and wellness. Despite the thousands we spend on failed gym memberships, seldom used exercise equipment and wearing the latest fashions to yoga class. We are tormented by self-loathing, guilt and doubt. We live in a world where our motivation to move is increasingly thwarted and sapped at every turn. The next time you stare out the gym window—you know the one, where everyone around you is trotting along on a dreadmill despite the fact that the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day outside? Ask yourself: Why is going for a run, a bike ride or walk outside such an absurd idea?
Notes
Look to a simpler place for your satisfaction this morning. Hint: It’s not in the latest edition of Shape or the ever so popular Yoga Journal. What you find may surprise you …
If you see some random dude(s) doing a spot of yoga in a park this weekend? Wave hello and join us!
Born Again For The Last Time
Posted: April 8, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, exercise, fitness, free range, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, jogging, kettlebell, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, paleo, passion, pilates, Random thoughts, running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga 13 CommentsIn the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically-
Living in the moment’ rather than being trapped inside a hazy daydream, we fully experience more of life.
Without ever realizing it, most of us spend much of our time trapped inside of our daily lives. We are unconscious to the world evolving around us, sleep walking through the day.
Are you piloted by the daily routines that force you to live inside your thoughts rather than in your “life“?
Our journey in life is A to B, our lives seem longer as they slow down and when we begin to ‘show up – being fully present’, but happier too. A classic win – win situation!
Here are a few ideas to help the “slowing down” process:
Walk- Walking is hands down one of the purest forms of exercise/movement available. Need a way to relive stress and give your sloppy mood a boost? Walk. A flowing walk puts the world in perspective, walking is also a brilliant way to feel alive no matter how dreary the start of your week has been.
Breathe- Breathe: Whenever you become angry, stressed, anxious, or when you feel a pissy mood coming on. See breathing as a breath of fresh air into the now. Breathe.
Notes:
Happiness is looking at the same “things” with a different set of eyes. Life only happens here (not on this blog), at this very moment, snuggled up in your jammies, enjoying a glass of wine.
CultFit 