Beyond the Mat

Anti-Aging Secrets From Yoga Superstars

Inspiration for aging with true beauty & grace.

In my translation of Bhagavad Gita, “yoga” is translated as “discipline”, which I’m reminded of as I came across the quote above.

acciohealthyme

A little levity for your Friday. TGIF!

(via: ramblin-woman)

ramblin-woman

5 Resolutions Worth Making

“1. See the beauty, health, functionality, and grace in my body as it is. So maybe my thighs would be more attractive if I lost a few pounds, but it’s pretty great that they’re healthy, support my weight, allow me to walk, let me feel strong in Mountain Pose, and have that nice muscle tone I’ve built through years of yoga.

2. Appreciate the beauty, kindness, warmth, and good intentions of people around me. People are never going to say exactly the right thing or do exactly what I’d like for them to do in the moment. But that doesn’t mean they’re not amazing people who want the best for me—and that’s pretty amazing no matter how many times they put their feet in their mouths.

3. Reflect on my accomplishments. Am I exactly where I want to be in my life/career/relationships? No way. But look at all the things I have accomplished! And look at the exciting journey I have ahead of me as I work toward the life I want to live and become the person I want to be.

4. Have more fun. Life is too short to spend it doing things you hate and hating the things you do. This year, I want to have more fun at every little task—no matter how menial or mundane.

5. Practice more yoga—especially off the mat. I’m not making any unlikely promises to myself to meditate or practice asana every day this year. I know it will never happen. But I do intend to practice yoga at every given opportunity. That might mean taking more deep, conscious breaths while I stand in line at the grocery store. Or it may mean practicing kindness toward others through my words and actions. I have no idea what lessons my practice will reveal to me this year, but I know I’m going to be open to whatever reveals itself to me along the way.”

The Season for Giving

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah or perhaps nothing, you are likely to be exposed to giving or receiving something during this time of year. And while I understand the common criticism about getting caught up in the consumer rat race and overextending our time and finances, I also think this season provides a good opportunity to practice open hearted generosity. To give, yes things, but also give of ourselves in more expansive ways. So, perhaps that’s patience, or a smile, or our time. I find it also important to graciously receive the gifts of others; allow them to practice their generosity with you. And these things don’t always come easily. In yoga we are given the opportunity to frame our relationships to ideas and traditions. We need not be defined by others or our past. So, if you have a difficult time with the holiday season, I challenge you to consider in which ways you can bring a more open hearted generosity into your relationships, or your yoga practice, during this holiday season and all seasons, really.

(via: 2011happiness)

2012happiness

Ahimsa, Vegetarianism & Non-judgment

“Who cares if you’re a vegetarian, if you’re a judgmental prick?” written by an old yoga teacher and friend, Sachie Alessio Heath, and published on Recoveringyogi.com.