In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

If you live in Upstate New York, this week has brought much disappointment along with about five inches of snow. Just the following week I brought out the deck furniture, basked in the warmth of the sunshine and felt the hope of spring emerging. The grass was clear of any remaining white signs of winter. The crocuses were starting to pop out of the newly defrosted earth.

Then Wednesday arrived and the snow began.

People, quickly forgetting how to drive in the inclement weather, scattered the sides of roads waiting for tows. The feeling of disbelief hung as heavy as the snow falling down. March. It is not as if I have not lived here for the majority of my life. There is always one last snow storm. Why do I always fall for the spring time joke in March? It is really not yoga minded of me to create this great expectation of the future. To take in every moment as the only moment that matters whether it is cold and wet or filled with the smell of blossoms blooming is being present and mindful. So I will try to find the good in each day, even with a blanket of snow covering the garden wonders awaiting for their time to shine. Mother nature has many wonders and surprises and I will try to be open and grateful to them all.

Lion Pose

• Kneel on the floor with ankles crossed and perineum rests on the top heel.

• Press palms firmly against knees with splayed fingers.

• Take a deep breath in through the nose while opening your mouth wide, looking toward your  third-eye and stretching your tongue out toward the chin. Exhale slowly out through the mouth with a “ha” sound.

• Repeat roar two or three times and then switch cross of ankles and repeat.

Lion pose relieves tension in the chest and face… and who doesn’t need a loud roar once in a while!

Let’s Get Naked

I’m talking pizza. Naked Pizza. A pizzeria opened up nearby in Victor, NY and we have not called our old standby place since. The deal about Naked Pizza is that is has no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, no added sugar, no trans fats. It has a blend of up to 10 grains, fiber, probiotics, cheese, veggies and meat. It’s pizza stripped down to its most essential ingredients. It is healthy, tasty and guilt free. In a time of enormous portions, fast food and an abundance of junk food, it is nice to see some people taking notice and giving us positive choices.

The Rollercoaster Ride of Parenting

When will I figure out how to just coast on this ride of parenting instead of traveling all of the highs and lows with each childhood moment? Don’t misunderstand. Nothing is wrong. It is all in the name of parenting. But, I’ve already gone through adolescence and I don’t want to go there again! How does a parent step away from the drama, sleep without worry and parent effectively. We are expected to give support without lecturing too much or helping too much, discipline when needed even when it causes temporary discomfort for all, step in when there is trouble but not until the child has tried to take care of things solo. Where is that handy manual—telling us how and when to say the perfect thing, showing us when to expect the perfect teachable moment, and explaining in detail how not to be embarrassing to your child when they reach a certain age?

I know that I don’t have as much control or effect as I think. I know that I can lead, teach and advise but my children still need to act and make their own decisions.

So I take 5 minutes to meditate when the desire to fix takes over but the possibility of fixing doesn’t really exist anymore.

An easy meditation:

• Set your watch for 5 minutes.
• Turn off your phone. Close your door.
• Sit comfortably either on the floor with a straight back, gaze slightly down, hands on your knees or in a chair with feet flat on the floor.
• Say to yourself “Breathe-in one, breathe-out two” while breathing in and out.
• Let any thought float in but then go back to your breath. Breath in one, breath out two.
• Simply breathe. It’s that easy.