Darlings,
In Lady Yoga fashion, it is my goal to look back in history to see where we have come from, find the yoga in the moments past to keep us rooted in the present and passionate about where we are going in the future.
On that note...
On February 15th, 1903 the first ‘Teddy Bear’ showed up in a store front window. There were 2 stuffed by Morris Michtom and approved by President Theodore Roosevelt to use his nickname to don as the signature name, Teddy Bear.
After that, competition spread and it became a childhood institution that, even in this day and age of computer technology, still remains the kid calling from birth.
What started out as a seed, an idea, became that wildfire spread of joy.
As we practice today or if you are just blogaperusing, think of your childhood. Think of the playfulness of yoga and the beginner’s mind you can bring whether it’s your first time or 108th time practicing. There is always more to learn and always somewhere to grow from.
Like a seed, sprouted and bloomed, explore the fullness of each posture to your level today, and allow forgiveness if it doesn’t grow or sprout as far or fast as you hoped it would. Celebrate it’s valor if you express it to your max.
In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind, there are few. – Shundyu Suzuki
When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely like a good bonfire – leaving no trace of yourself. – Shuendyu Suzuki
Zen is not some kind of excitement but concentration on our usual everyday routine. Shuendyu Suzuki
Success is 99% failure. – Soichiro Honda
The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react. – George Bernard Shaw
Every child comes with a message that God is not yet discouraged of man. – Rabinidrath Tagore
Our genes make us immortal. – The Secret Life – PBS
There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way and not starting. – Buddha
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. – Jim Rohn
Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end. – Seneca
An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young. – Oscar Wilde
There is a fountain of youth. It is your mind, your talent, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you’ll have truly defeated age. Sophia Loren
Perhaps a nice closing routine is a nice take on one of my favorite calm down kid routines called swimming stuffy. In our case, we'll call it swimming sweaty. Place your sweaty towel or in a kids case, their favorite toy or if you are lucky and still have it, your teddy bear, and place it on your belly while lying down. Take your gaze to the stuffy, towel and watch as it rises with the inhale, falls with the exhale. It's relaxing for the mind and the body and a whole bunch of fun, keeping you childlike and playful.
Bear hugs,
Lady