Holiday 2008
Comfort and Joy, Comfort and Ease
Our newsletters are seasonal!
Welcome to the holiday season. Depending on my mood, this time of year can cause mass panic or elevate to new heights (at times doing both in the same day, possibly even the same hour). It's that pressure to create the perfect holiday that often causes us to crack - buy gifts, decorate, celebrate, eat drink, be merry - it's a full-time job to get your holiday groove on. It can easily become overwhelming and stressful if we get swept up in the currents of consumerism and the ideal that more is better. This season more than ever presents an opportunity for reflection as we face political change and economic uncertainty. How to find holiday joy and meaning? Firmly ground your heels in tadasana (mountain pose), adopt an attitude of gratitude and sprinkle a little yoga philosophy over whatever your holiday serves up this year.
Above: Cowgirl Yoga horse Bridger standing in the horse version of mountain pose, while the snow falls on him!
In Patanjali's ancient yoga text the Yoga Sutras, Sutra 2.46 describes how asana, the physical practice/poses, ought to be: Sthira sukham asanam. The yoga posture should be both steady and comfortable; a balance between effort and ease that feels delicious and challenging at the same time. We cannot challenge ourselves and grow if we only do what we’re good at (in yoga and in life). So when we are challenged on the mat, we don’t give up (cue the common in-class tactic of, “I can’t do this pose so I’ll head to the bathroom now”) but rather dig deep to find the comfort and ease amidst the effort. It's the yogic equivalent to seeing the glass half full. If we can focus on the inner strength that is our foundation and tap into it, then we're more likely to experience positive results. That means staying grounded while simultaneously taking risks. Staying rooted while you go out on a limb. Being safe while experiencing the thrill of something new.
Sthira sukham asanam in Sanskrit, from the Yoga Sutras authored by the ancient sage Patanjali.
The Yoga Sutras are the guidebook of classical, or raja (royal), yoga. Written at least 1,700 years ago, it's made up of 195 aphorisms (sutras), or words of wisdom.
So exactly how does this apply to the holidays? Well, it's like coming into mountain pose every time you're feeling frazzled by all the festivities. Ground through your feet while allowing the crown of your head to reach for the sky. Let yourself be open to all the energy and activity, all the potential joy swirling aorund you, but don't let it shake your foundation and cause you to fall. Sthira sukham asanam - establish that strong, steady and joyful connection to the earth and the season. It requires effort, but there should also be ease. You'll know when this equation is out of balance and you need to adjust your tadasana. So stand tall, and let the holidays begin!
Cowgirl Yogini's Top 5 Tips for staying healthy and grounded through the holidays:
Yoga. You knew I was going to say that. Now is not the time to put your practice aside - be sure to carve out time for yoga this season. Your body and mind will thank you. If you work to maintain balance most of the time, you can revel in the season's indulgences and recover from them more quickly.
Neti Pot. There are three things I must do to start my day, before anything else can happen: wash my face, brush my teeth, and neti. Yes, I admit that it took me years to get up the nerve to perform nasal irrigation, but after my move to Montana, the super-dry air and my chronic nose trouble were not a good combination and I was suffering from frequent colds. Since beginning this practice last fall after being told I had a deviated septum (and not really wanting to have surgery, especially one after which I would not be able to do headstand for at least 6 months!), I've noticed a considerable difference in my comfort level and post nasal drip situation. I am hooked and willing to rave about the benefits of the neti pot to anyone who will listen. I even did a neti demo on our last retreat. Click here for the best neti pot how-to I've found (and an explanation of what it is, in case you're still wondering).
Kombucha, EmergenC & Green Tea. Although it may be old habit to supercharge our circadian rhythms with that jolt of morning coffee, don't forget to hydrate with water and other non-caffeinated liquids to alleviate winter dehydration, especially if you choose to raise a glass of anything alcoholic this season. It's harder in winter to realize that you are dehydrated, so it's important to remember to drink up. I am loving the above combo of liquids right now. I have to believe that they are making a positive contribution to my immune system. I sneak EmergenC into my water bottle at the gym and when I am teaching yoga; I've gotten hooked on Kombucha, particularly Synergy's "Guava Goddess"; and although I never used to be a tea drinker, an afternoon cup of Choice jasmine green (organic and fair trade to boot) is a relaxing and antioxidant-packed ritual.
Elderberry & a multi-vitamin. Despite my neti-pot success, I am still slightly paranoid about getting a cold. I was looking for an immune-booster to take before leading my retreats, and found Elderberry, popular during winter months for its power punch of vitamin A, C and flavonoids. I combine this with my daily multi-vitamin.
Acupuncture. This needle-phobe has overcome her fear in order to reap the many health benefits of ancient Chinese medicine. I'm amazed at how many complaints and conditions it can address, but the best part is the kick-in-the-pants I seem to experience after every treatment; I feel like superwoman. Super energized, balanced and just plain healthy. Acupuncture is truly like no other experience I have had - you can actually feel tingling sensations and different parts of your body awakening (parts that don't necessarily have needles in them) - they say that's the energy starting to flow properly again. It's pretty cool to envision all that chi flowing freely. And for you skeptics, there is quite a science to it - training to become an acupuncturist is as intense and long as medical school.
Holiday Contest - how has yoga changed your life?
How's this for a little holiday excitement - write us a paragraph on how yoga has changed your life, and win cool new yoga duds from Dude Girl. Retreat alumna, be sure and mention how your special time away affected your practice. We'll post the winning entries on our website in January 2009, to inspire in the new year.
Email your entry to margaret@bigskyyogaretreats.com by December 31. Grand prize is the Blaze Jacket & yoga pant! (pictured here) Two runners up will receive the asana or flower tee.
Watch for more Dude Girl in '09!
Cowgirl Yoga™ is proud to partner with Dude Girl, since Cowgirl Yoginis wanna be Dude Girls too. Dude Girl is an apparel company geared toward athletic souls who like to play hard, get dirty, laugh, and share the joy of sport. Giddy up to that!
Interested in one of our winter yoga & skiing retreats? We're offering our newsletter subscribers a discount if booked before December 15. Sign up and we'll send you the scoop!
