Finally, we landed on the moon! Did you hear? Well, in this week in history, almost 4 decades ago we reached technological advances we didn't think possible. And to think, I still can't figure out how to tweet but we've been to the moon and back a bunch o' times.

Back in '61 Kennedy made a goal that we would reach the moon by the end of the decade.

On July 19th, 1969, we did just that.

Setting goals is important and when you have it clear in the mind and said out loud for all to hear, well you better figure it out or you'll be in troubbbblleee!

After much trial and error, preparation and failure, we made “One small step for man and one giant leap for mankind,” Neil Armstrong.

In yoga, even the most basic posture for you might be like flying to the moon for another. We all have our moon to reach and no matter where we are in yoga or our life path, it's important that we have something to reach for.

Mistakes, falling, failure, it's all part of the deal for you to reach for the stars. If it were easy, it would have been done in '61. Think about how far we have come as a culture. Think about how far yoga has come. How popular is yoga? It's everywhere. I'm so used to seeing students surpass my own practice when I teach that I'm always surprised but so happy to see someone come into a yoga class and say it's their first time. One small step....

Now that we are in the belly of the summer, it's ironic that we are drawn to tap into the lunar side of our yoga practice. The sun is high and hot and we're all fired up, so it's important now more than ever to tap into our moon energy. I know, so yogi, but really, the cooler, more passive, female, contemplative side of our energy is important to channel and sow now so that we can tackle the rest of our year at an even and manageable pace, one small step at a time.

My goal for Lady Yoga is for people to like it enough to tear it off and put it on their fridge. Now that people are doing that, well, it’s time for another goal!

Begin at the beginning.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning." - Louis L'Amour.

There will always be more to do. More to achieve. More planets to visit and no, LA does not count as another planet people.

Start here and build. Keep building and achieve.

Keep achieving and begin again.It’s all part of the process and the great big fabric of your existence.

Think about the left side of your body. Close off the right nostril and breathe only through the left for several repetitions, pausing at the top and bottom of each inhale and exhale to calm your energy if you feel over heated. Rest on the right side of your body to tap into your MOON!

Set the goal and know that there is no rush to get there, only preparation and pacing.

Just take a moment to look back at where you came from, how far you have come in your life and that each step you make, calmly and peacefully, will lead you toward that giant leap in your passion, your life, your yoga and mankind.

Landing weightless and yours truly,

Lady

or, in traffic, in general.

Ok darlings,
I know it might not seem to make a difference, but when 'lil Ganesh and I are stuck in traffic, and yes, even we get stuck in traffic, it can be difficult to keep our superhero cool.
We can only fly with our yoga mat cape under the flight constrictions of LAX so even superheroes have to drive sometimes and always abide by the laws.

It is very important to be a good person and a good yogi when bumper to bumper, sharing the road with so many people.

Here's the deal, we don't know the trials someone else might be going through in a day, so we can't assume that the person to the left and right of us is calm under stress or practices awareness of themselves or those around them. We can only be aware of ourselves, our calm and those around us. It is a good practice.

It is not nice to cut someone off or not use your blinker but it is very common and really, as drivers, we should expect this.
We should anticipate that it might be rough out there to get from point A to point B and allow enough time to get where we need to go. Often, this isn't the case. Schedules are tight and this can produce anxiety in the body and mind when we get in the car and go.

If we follow the rules of the law and the rules of kindness and know that it might be difficult when we get behind the wheel, we will be more prepared to deal with the stress that comes along with it.

Simple remedies can help this situation. Calming music is always a good choice. I enjoy listening to Broadway showtunes, but that's just me. 'lil prefers 94.7 the wave for smooth jazz. We compromise.

Always use a bluetooth when making calls. Talk to good people and save the difficult people for when you are still and can be present to expel their difficult energy when you are clear and not moving amidst the chaos of traffic.

I enjoy talking to my mother. She entertains me with stories of the dog and cat and thunderstorms in NYC.

Try deep breathing to get you through. Full inhales and expand the belly like you were full but not stuffed with your favorite meal.

I think of chocolate chip cookies. That makes me happy.

As you exhale, let it all go. No one is watching so send out the breath with a sigh or if it's really bad on the road, a little scream.

That will release tension in the body. You don't want to keep the tension within as you drive, you need to let it go.
Like a burp.
It's gotta come out otherwise, it's gonna feel strange to keep it in.
If you are a seasoned yoga practitioner, try Ujjayi breathing.
That is an audible breath that sounds like a little snore or a tiny baby sleeping.
To practice this, inhale fully through the nose and let it out the mouth with the H-A sound of haaaa like you were cleaning a pair of your UVA protective sun glasses.
Try keeping the H-A sound as you inhale through the nose and exhale through the nose. It's not easy but once you do it a few times, you will notice your breath becomes deeper, you can relax and you are where you need to be in no time.

Saying a mantra or chant aloud or within is also a yummy way to clear the mind, take yourself out of the stress and pass the time.
I like OM. It's the universal sound that connects us together.
So Hum is also an oldie but a goodie. Inhale Soooooo, exhale hummmm.
Simply put, it means, I am that and that is me. We are one.
Nice, huh?
If you aren't into the whole yogi, sanskrit, chanting mantra thing, here are some other good ones.

If you know of someone who needs some support or love say their name loud and long. The vibration of their name and focus on their spirit will connect you with them and take your focus outside of the crazy traffic and where YOU need to be and on the person you love.
My sister is back at school to become a pastry chef. Going back to school can be hard.
She is making new friends and learning new things and that is a risk! I am so proud and admire her so much so when it took me an hour and a half to get to my client this afternoon, I simply repeated, Kaaaarrrrriiiiinnnnnn. Over and over. Every letter vibrated in my mouth, head and body and chilled me out, while sending her good vibes of comfort and support so far away.
You can chant the name of a country or organization in need or your own personal mantra.

My favorite mantra is, in your divine light I reflect. I'll just say that over and over until I feel relaxed, then I'll play A Chorus Line or The Lion King.
Just kidding. I'm not a fan of the Lion King, but maybe you are...or your kids!!
Hakuna matata!!! translation - there are no worries. Ok, that is a good one!

The repetitiveness of chanting will lull you into a place of bliss. Breathing deeply will relax and soothe the nervous system.
You will take your energy away from the stress of driving and fuel your energy with good, juicy, fun and peaceful feelings of relaxation.

You can also do a bunch of 'physical' exercises while stuck in traffic, but let's save that for another blog.

Until next time my darlings.

thinking outside the mat,

Lady Yoga