Soooo Cute! Yoga Pose Cookies and Cookie Cutters

I stumbled on this website for gingerbread yoga pose people that is so cute!

After searching to find cookie cutters to buy for myself I found the Kitchen Yogi. They sell 3, boat, tree and easy pose. I can't wait to order my own set!

Eat Pray Love ~ The Movie and My Thoughts…

I read the book Eat Pray Love over two years, ago and I loved it and was so excited when it became a movie. I’d planned to re-read the book before the movie to refresh my memory, but I’d borrowed the book from a friend, passed it onto someone or checked it out of the library. Since it wasn’t in my stash I didn’t try that hard to find another copy.

I knew several groups of friends that were planning on going but decided to go with my husband for my birthday. I wasn’t too concerned that he maybe the only male in the theatre, because as my 8 year old boasts “Our dad likes’ chick flicks” Its true and I knew he wouldn’t have any problem going with me. After sitting down next to each other we realized that we hadn’t been to an adult movie together without kids in over 10 years!!!!!!! That’s not to say neither of us have seen an adult movie in 10 years. He sees more movies then I do on his international flights and I have a few girlfriends that I get out with occasionally. After settling in we scanned the audience and Paul said “There could be whole book clubs here” And he was probably right. I liked the diversity of the crowd, from couples to large groups of women to a group of elderly men and women.

My expectations for the movie were high and I was slightly disappointed. I liked the movie. But I wanted to love it and that wasn’t the case. From the beginning I was concerned about Julia Roberts as Liz Gilbert. Julia is just Julia. She’s a strong presence and it’s hard to think of her as someone other then Julia Roberts.

From what I remember about the book, what I enjoyed was the description of each country. During the Eat portion in Italy I remember specifically the Pizza Scene. The description of the pizza made me so hungry and made me want to eat Pizza. Watching Julia Roberts scarf down a whole pizza just isn’t the same.

The movie didn’t go as deep as the book. I would have liked more narration on her spiritual journey. A few scenes did touch me. I liked Texas Richard. I was touched by his story and did get a little teary eyed.

Most of the wisdom in the movie came from Texas Richard. When Julia/Liz was lamenting about missing her Ex-boyfriend Yogi from Brooklyn (her rebound after her failed marriage) Texas Richard said to her “When you miss him send him love and light” That simple statement spoke volumes to me. During the last two years I lost both of my parents, in a span of 16 months, my dad to a sudden massive heart attack and my mom after battling cancer for 2 and ½ years. Texas Richards advice was so basic and so simple, but it connected with me. Now when I miss my parents I think of them and send them love and light. It’s been tremendously healing for me.

Last week I saw a piece on the news about the merchandise available for the movie. It seems that it is quite controversial. (which could be another whole blog in itself) I’m not surprised by merchandising in movies, but it is generally with kid’s movies, Shrek, Toy Story etc. Apparently there are t-shirts, mala beads, necklaces with Ganesh all for sale in the Eat Pray Love franchise. I’m not sure I will be buying any of those.

I really wanted to like this movie more. I still want to reread the book so I can remember what I liked about it so much. I was in a different place when I read it and may have a different opinion the second time around. I would still suggest seeing it, but maybe wait until you can get it on Netflix, Blockbuster or On Demand.

Namaste’

Me, doing yoga? By Guest Blogger Rosemary Keane

I met Rosie a few months ago when she started coming to yoga with several friends. As I got to know her I found that we shared a common interest in blogging. She wrote this beautiful blog about her experience with yoga. I have to say I got a little teary when I read it. Be sure to check out Rosie’s amazing blog, 3 rosebuds about life and family.

Me, doing Yoga?

Before I began the practice of yoga myself, I wasn’t sure if I could actually “do it.” I mean, I have had a love/hate relationship with my body for years (often more hate than love) and don’t fit anywhere near the image of a yogi that I would have pictured. I drag myself to the gym, count calories to lose weight and just generally obsess about what is wrong when I look in the mirror. I thought that yoga would help with my flexibility and maybe even contribute to some pounds disappearing from the scale.

What I didn’t realize was that yoga would be something completely different than any other type of exercise I have done. In fact, now that I have been practicing yoga for several months, I don’t even think of it as exercise. It’s not running on the treadmill watching the speed and distance and it’s nothing like trying to keep up with the complicated choreography of a kick boxing class; it truly is a practice that deepens as you continue it.

I am constantly amazed at what my body, which is quickly entering middle age, can do. I often find myself feeling really empowered by one pose (balance and back bends seem to come easily to me) and the next minute humbled by another (eagle comes to mind). But the body-hate doesn’t come to yoga with me the way it follows me other places. This practice is discovery, acceptance and peace. It’s not about beating the body into submission; it is about seeing the potential in each pose and embracing it for what it is and what I can do.

Of course, there are still times when Barbara will demonstrate a pose and I am automatically looking for the alternate, but the practice of yoga is about stretching and reaching and enjoying the process, not reaching some artificial goal or getting it “right.”

Yoga has become a sanctuary in my life-a place of safety, peace and joy.
Namaste.

Uttanasana Standing Forward Bend

One of my favorite classes of the week is chair yoga at the Pottstown Senior Center. I enjoy finding modifications of yoga poses on the chair making it accessible to those with limited mobility. The feedback from the group is how happy they are that they don’t have to get up and down off of the floor. Most of the class is seated but we do get up and stand behind the chair using the chair for support and balance.

While standing in uttanasana, standing forward bend, with the chair for support one of the regulars shared a story about doing a forward bend while in the Navy in 1949. He said he was trying to touch his toes and his officer came up behind him, smacked him on the back and pushed him down so he touched the floor. He shared that story with a smile and told it like it was yesterday. This is not the way I would encourage deepening in the pose, but it gives me a smile to think of John so many years ago as a young man in the Navy trying to touch his toes.

Uttanasana is one of my favorite poses. Forward bends teach patience, surrender and stillness, something I can use in my life everyday. Forward bends are both soothing and challenging. The challenge comes because hamstrings and back muscles are often tight. Forward bends should be done slowly and sensitively while using the breath to soften, surrender and lengthen. This is not exactly how John experienced his first forward bend in the Navy all those years ago!

Uttanasana calms the brain, stretches the hamstrings, calves, hips and relieves the symptoms of menopause. A mantra I often repeat while in Standing Forward Bend “I am free to let go at this moment” With the head hanging forward I try to allow all thoughts to flow through the crown and release. Find some time each day to give in and listen and enjoy the quieting and settling of Uttanasana.

Chakra Earring Giveaway

You can win a pair of amazing Chakra Earrings by simply signing up to follow Carrie's blog. Carrie is a talented artist and fellow yogi. I follow her blog and enjoy how she describes her jewlery but also weaves in stuff about life. She always has fun music playing in the background of her blog! Take a minute to check out her blog and sign up to follow it and you could be the winner of these amazing chakra earrings. I've seen them and they are cute! You'll have to click on her blog to see the pic, my computer is acting up and I can't upload the picture!

Namaste'