Melissa rocked this class for me. I was there to take photos and I asked her ahead of time to do some really cool yoga stuff. Well, she did. This is Gyan Mudra.
Mudras are basically energy connections we make between the physical body and the subtle body. The subtle body being where our prana, our life force, resides. For the most part mudras are connections of the fingers and hands although there are postures that are mudras as well.
Different mudras bring about different results. There are mudras for energy, mudras for patience (I use that one a lot and it's thumb to middle finger in case you're needing it) and so on. Gyan mudra, index finger to thumb, helps our concentration and connects us to our wisdom and knowledge. That wisdom and knowledge that we are one with the source, we are divine entities and we are pure light and love.
Ok, so from time to time, it seems that I am going to have to post some photos not taken the same day but maybe from a few days before. Maybe from a while before. I think I'm learning the point is to come here every day to be present. Tonight is one of those nights.
I got this shot at Shawn's gig the other night. It was a reunion from his back in the day band, Mis-Fit. They were one of those hair metal type bands back in the late 80's and early 90's. Kind of like Poison, Warrant, Motley Crew, etc...
The gig was at good old Jaxx in Springfield, aka, Zaxx , aka The Copa. There were some dinosaurs and relics there for sure but my hubby's band rocked. I was thoroughly impressed. It was even hard to get photos because the crowd rushed the stage and I had to elbow my way in.
There's something about this photo that I really like more so than the head banging, rocking out, photos. Maybe it's that instant I caught him pulling his hand through his hair to get it out of his face. Maybe it's the lighting. Maybe it's the smile on his face from the good time he's having. It's definitely one of my favorites.
It's funny, because back in the day, it was my girlfriends that were chasing after the musicians but it was me that got one for keeps:) Here's a few more ... of my hot, rockin' hubby!
Poor old Tiki Baby had to go to the vet this evening. One of her paws had been swollen and a claw was looking really funky, so I thought it would be best to have it checked.
Going to the vet for any animal is traumatic. Dogs seem to handle it better somehow. Tiki is not too bad, once you get her into the carrier. She runs and hides at first site of the carrier. She has even learned the sounds the carrier makes and now runs at that. Tonight I was very stealthy. She was sound to sleep and I kind of just woke her up and gently pushed her in before she knew what was happening. She probably thought she was dreaming.
On the car ride she is usually very quiet. Unless I have another cat with me that is howling. They feed off of each other's energy, howling louder and louder. Oh, my god, what's happening! we're going to be killed for sure! is what they must be saying to each other.
Tonight it was just her so she didn't make a peep, until ... she had an accident. Poor girl gets so nervous, every time we go to the vet she poos in the carrier with just under 5 minutes to go. Then she starts crying. And why shouldn't she. It is the ulitmate humiliation.
Anyway, she checks out ok, nothing major wrong with the paw. Coming home was much less traumatic and once we were home she got lots of pets and treats. Now Lucy, who wasn't even involved is traumatized, cowering somewhere, because she saw the carrier and smelled "the vet." Jees ...
In my recent yoga training we were given a meditation to do for 40 days. I was vaguely familiar with the concept of 40 days but never really knew much about it. I knew it was kind of like the 21 day thing to form a new habit.
Basically it is a specific period of time that can affect change. 40 days is the time it takes to change energy or a habit. 90 days is the time it takes for the new habit or energy to be confirmed. After 120 days you become this new energy and after 1000 days you have mastered this energy.
Upon hearing that we would have to do a 40 day meditation, I have to admit my first thoughts were not another thing to do every day and I have a hard time committing to daily things so how am I going to get through this. The other thing is, if you miss a day you have to start over.
Clearly no one but me would know if I missed a day. But if I lied, I would be lying to myself more than anyone. I would not be living the yogic principle of satya or truthfulness.
That 40 day meditation was one of the most effortless things I have ever done. In that 40 days, there was not one single day that I didn't want to sit down and do the meditation. The thought of skipping a day never entered my mind. It became habit almost instantly. There is something magic about 40 days.
Most recently I decided to give up coffee and sugary treats for 40 days. I over did both of these over the holidays and it was time to just stop for a while. On January 5 I started this 40 day diet. I am on day 31 and again it has been incredibly easy. I have not considered cheating at all. The house has still had coffee and treats but I have not indulged. I have not even had 1 jelly bean from that 4lb jug of jelly beans!
All of this is also part of the process of Svadhyaya or self-study. Getting to know myself and my limitless capabilities. This is why I love yoga. Who would have thought it's this easy? 40 days, it's magic. That said on the day after my 40 days of no coffee and sugary treats I plan on rewarding myself with coffee and donuts!
Yes we torture the kitties, at least this one. Torture with love. Lucy acts like it is killing her when we give pets and kisses. God no, please, not love, nooooooooooo! It's like Mon Cherie trying to get away from Pepe Le Pew. Squirming and clawing for dear life.
But what's even better about this photo, is my awesome hubby giving kitty some love. 10 years ago Shawn would have never thought he would be kissing on a kitty today.
When you're present and aware you notice things, tiny little things. Today I noticed some first signs that Spring is not too far, far away. Tiny, little crocus and daffodil buds, breaking through the earth about a 1/2 inch. Seeing these made me giddy. Plus the fact that it was like 55 degrees out today. Funny how when you go from 70 degress to 50 degrees, 50 is cold. But when you go from 30 degrees to 50 degrees, 50 is warm and balmy.
I'm not delusional though. I know we are just only half way through winter. It's even supposed to snow tomorrow night. But seeing these little buds gives me hope and faith, that soon enough winter will be over. The days are also a little longer and soon another sign that Spring is approaching will be here. Girl Scout Cookies.
