1,2,3,4 - FIVE!

"So, today is day 5?" - me

"Just day 5?" - Cristina

=) Well, hip hip hoooray for us...we have only just begun..and we are definitely feeling the difference. It's amazing what a little breathwork and movement done every day can add to your life. For me, it's simply the act of doing by letting everything else go. Rather than focusing on my "should do's" I say, no, it is time for me to breath and check in with my self....my mind, body, and spirit. So day 5 ~ I worked on alignment in standing poses today....all versions of warrior, tree pose, and half moon. Although I am a fan of ritual, I am really enjoying the variety of teachers and sequences that are offered on the yoga journal website. I was able to choose a 30 min session....and although I have done most of the poses before, I learned how to tune in even more to each muscle and cell of my body...to properly align myself, and to stay true to where my limits are. Finding balance in tree pose is difficult, but I am learning to smile at myself more and return to steady focus...even balancing for 15 seconds feels like a huge achievement....go me! haha =)

I'd like to share my Kundalini yoga ~ women's quotes of the day....yesterday and today....

February 11, 2011

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The moment you become a prayerful person, the fear of the Unknown is gone and love of the Unknown awakens.

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 15, 1982

February 12, 2011

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The law is that where there is a known, there is an Unknown. If you continue relating to the known, you are denying the Unknown.

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, July 15, 1982

I suggest checking out this website if you want to learn more about what Kundalini yoga is.... http://www.3ho.org/

And so....the "UnKnown".....dun dun dun.....this is what most of us fear in life...especially those of us who love to believe that they can control the outcome of their life....I'll raise my hand to that one. Yes, I admit, I have some control issues....but I have always played it off as though I am carefree and easy going....while this may be true...I also have expectations for what I feel "should be." SO, does the fact that I am admitting my control issue at least start the process of letting that go? I sure hope so...=) For as long as I can remember I have been afraid of losing control, of falling, of failing, or being wrong, of hurting someone else's feelings, of not being good enough or smart enough.......well all of that "stuff" has only held me back from receiving what was being given to me, learning from mistakes, voicing my opinion or thoughts, expressing my feelings, and believing in my self. I'm ready to shed a lot of layers, don't you think? yes. How will I go about doing this? Well.....I am going to pray. yes, Laurie Elizabeth is going to pray. It has taken me years to figure out that prayer is just another word for affirmation.....for intention....that thoughts and words are prayers.....that mantras are prayers. "But I'm not religious" I used to think. I have come to see through the practice of yoga, that I personally do not need a religion to find my spiritual self....that yoga enhances and adapts to every act of faith that exists. I could proabably ramble on more about this....but bottom line is.....it is time to pray.....

Blessings of Peace and Love. Namaste. Sat Nammmmmm

Day 4 ~ Anxiety to Relaxation

Today began with 2 mommy and me music classes at a small nursery school. I'm always a little anxious before teaching somewhere new, but I always leave feeling fulfilled, accomplished, and a little silly for all the unnecessary worry. I returned home to my brother, niece, and nephew feeling the stress of the morning melt away. My brother had to leave for his class and I was ready to get Neena off to school, BUT, her bus driver found herself stuck in horrendous traffic on the highway just minutes before our exit...so that meant Neena was home with me...and a few extra hours of just me and the kids. Oh Gooody ~ Now, I started dancing with Neena and eating some lunch, but I have been avoiding caffeine and I'm noticing the crash midday....especially today. I survived the children, and more importantly, they survived "Ti Ti." We make a good team most days =)

I knew I still had homework for my online course and that if I got it done early enough, I could do yoga after the kids went to bed. Well, after dinner I took Kai in to go to sleep~ he took about a half hour to settle down and by that point, I was OUT...my sister came in after an hour and I was so super confused why she was waking me up until I realized I hadn't meant to fall asleep yet. Oops!....Yoga! Blog! ugh ~ so I decided to try out the evening relaxation sequence on the yoga journal website. I felt I deserved a little break, plus my muscles are not feeling any kind of vinyasa flow right now. I am reminded again through doing these simple movements, that mindfulness is required to fully connect with what my body wants to do versus what "I" want it to do. There I go, separating my mind from my body....this all seems to simple to comprehend, that my body is also my mind, and my spirit.....but I am gradually beginning to fully grasp the intimate relationship that is forming....ultimately bringing my mind, body and spirit into -Union- the meaning of Yoga. I finished the sequence with an alternate nostril breath and a silent sound breath....visualizing the sound "Hum" going up your spine on the inhale, and the sound "Sa" going down the spine on the exhale. These short meditations are precious to me...the feeling in between breaths...it's as if I am floating in a weightless world. Relaxing. What a concept. I'm going back to bed now =) Namaste.

May this world know Peace and Love. Blessings to those in Egypt and blessings to all. <3 love

Three ~ it's a magic number

It was a little over a year ago when a dear friend and I were discussing the energy of the number 3. When it comes to relationships....let's think of 3 friends...the balance is fragile...and it takes a conscious effort on everyone's part. Perhaps there is always someone in the middle of the other two, or one friend is so powerful that they take all the power. The energy can go from looking like a straight balance beam to a triangle and then the triangle can flip all around! I've been in many situations where I am the one in the middle...desperately trying to make peace. I have also experienced being the bottom point of an upside down triangle...for example, your friend is now in a relationship and you're not...so..odd one out!

Anyway, I wasn't sure what to blog about today and that just popped into mind. On to my day of yoga....I spent 45 intensely focused minutes in a "fun" (slash hard) vinyasa flow sequence. I am enjoying the variety of poses that are given through the yoga journal website, and the videos are easy to follow. I am realllly trying to be conscious of what my body is able to do versus what I want it to do....I tend to push a little too hard sometimes. I monitor this by paying attention to whether I can breath in a particular pose or not. It's funny, you think you're relaxed, your breathing, you're holding the pose...and then the teacher reminds you to soften the outside edges of your tongue and you realize you are clenching your jaw..even if just slightly...got me a few times today...no wonder I have TMJ! I've become more conscious of this slight jaw clench...I'll be sitting down to feed a bottle to my nephew and I have to tell my body to relax...where do I feel this release? Hips...and Jaw....again...the connection makes sense!

Despite the homework, the nannying, and the last minute preparations for some mommy and me music classes tomorrow morning, I'm feeling excitement and extreme satisfaction with day three.

"Oh Three....is the magic number...reduce, reuse, recycle, reduce, reuse, recycle".... Jack Johnson anyone?? I admit, I listen to the Laurie Berkner music channel on pandora...you'd be surprised at all those big name bands that make children's songs too! anywayyyyyyy =) Namaste, Blessings, and gooood night! LOVE

P.S. - Did I mention that I was completely obsessed with "The Three Amigos" as a child? over and over...word for word...obsessed...outfit and everything.

Hips ~ Day 2

Woke up this morning completely aware of my muscles....because they are feeling yesterday's anusara yoga! I now sit in the sunshine which is coming through the glass doorway....and I am glad to take in the warmth...ahhhh. I went onto the Yoga Journal 21 day challenge site for a 30 minute hip opener series before lunch in the sun, and...woah! I learned some new poses that I have never done before and experienced a Sweeeet shavasana yet again.

Most yoga teachers stress the importance of opening the hips because this is where we hold a lot of stress....in women especially. Osteopaths and physicians say that hips are the foundation of our anatomy....did you know that? I mean, hip alignment affects everything above and below the waist. Plus, too much sitting increases the amount of tension we hold in our hips....in turn affecting our back muscles...I can certainly relate to that....I've been in and out of physical therapy for poor posture and tight back muscles since high school. That is, until I found yoga....(and HULA HOOPING! hahaha). A close friend of our family who does a lot of Bodywork told me that pretty much everyone has one hip that is higher than the other. I personally have always had one hip that is not only higher, but jammed up into my pelvis...it always feels stuck. I've also been told by bodyworkers that the hip can affect the jaw...and of course I have always had TMJ on the same side as that stuck hip. I can't help but relate this "Stuckness" to that side of my body...my left..and what that resembles energetically. So, energetically speaking, the left side is our receiving side....our feminine side....we take in energy and give out through our right, masculine side...the side of action. So, when I think about my patterns...I see the correlation clearly...what do I love most? Giving! Action! What do I have a hard time with? Receiving! Commitment! haha....not too uncommon for a woman, but still....this gives me some more clarity as I continue to affirm my higher potential. "I am open to receive, to be balanced and complete."

I am also looking back into a book I read 2 years ago...."You can Heal your Life" by Louise Hay.....she talks a lot about the way your thoughts affect your life...your health, your career, your relationships....and this is what she say about hips....."hip problems represent fear of going forward with major decisions. Hips represent the idea that the next step in your life is important".....and so...to relate that to me? Well, I'm currently preparing myself for a BIG move this fall to the southwest for a 2 year grad program in Art Therapy. It has taken me 4 years to get back into school and I'm glad I took the time...but this time around, I will be stepping into a new environment with all new people and I will be independent for the first time in my life! No old friends or family close by, and no boyfriend to split the costs of living with. Its actually VERY exciting for me....I'm so happy that I have come this far...and I am willing to move forward. As for importance....this next step is so important to me! Not only is this the beginning of a new career with actual credentials....but it is the beginning of me...of knowing how "I" live...and going even deeper on my inward journey to my highest self. I know this journey does not suddenly end or complete itself....but it is an ongoing quest....again how could I not be excited and thrilled? In fact, it's a conscious choice I always strive for....to be active in the quest...and mindfully present to the unfolding of my life. And so....the yoga practice shall continue...these new "mind, body, spirit" muscles are only starting to open up and align themselves. Be Grateful! Be love! Namaste.....Sat Nam!

Day One ~

"Flower Child" ~ woven reed and paper sculpture by Laurie Elizabeth Spring 2006

And so, the morning begins with me rolling out of bed to greet my almost 12 month old nephew who had supposedly been asking for me since 6 am..."Ti Ti! Ti Ti!" Every morning in the apt. of the J-5, there are diapers to be changed and tummies to be tended...so let's just be clear that yoga and meditation don't always apply to my morning hours. I go for my usual toast with almond butter with cinnamon and spend most of the morning preparing food and getting my niece Neena ready for her day. Since living here, I have come to appreciate the closeness that a family has...and have realized that this is something I did not really have the chance to experience until being here with my brother, sister in law, and their beautiful children. Growing up with divorced parents since the age of 5 always had me wondering if I was somehow different from everyone else...for most of my schooling, my closest friends were all part of a "Real," "complete" family. Well, it did make me different, and it has impacted my life in many ways....and I am ready to accept it all.....after all, It IS what is IS~ Although I have some broken pieces...I have a lot of strong ones. I know that working through our past regrets, hurts, fears, and old beliefs is a big part of yoga and meditation...that the process itself can either be painful from resistance....or graceful from acceptance. And so, I vow to myself that I will accept every feeling and thought that comes from this 21 day journey. I vow to be patient with myself when I take steps off of my course...that I will always come back to my center to reaffirm how much I am committed to my higher purpose.....and so...I'm off to do some Heart Flow Vinyasa with Cristina! More later....


Soooo, it's only been like a week of not doing as much yoga and my body could really tell! It is so crucial for me to keep stretching every day if I am ever going to open these hips and shoulders. The dvd is great...and they even show you those crazy stretches that only the very dedicated or naturally flexible can do....ahhhhh......someday! Can I tell you my favorite part of yoga? Shavasana....that's corpse pose...yea...you just lay on your mat, palms up...totally relaxed at the end of your session. Not only are you completely silent with all the non-thinking from focusing on alignment and breath....but your body is literally vibrating and "downloading" all of the information you just fed it. I've learned that the body needs breath and relaxation to integrate the new postures....to remember for the next time you are on your mat.

Today was refreshing... prior to the session I was pacing, writing, taking care of Kai (nephew), and just feeling a little dull. But after you come up out of Shavasana and into a seated position....its hard not to feel success and accomplishment...and that's how I feel now ~ accomplished because I am committed to take the time for me. More tomorrow....tonight will be a short "Life enhancement meditation" from the Yoga Journal website. Namaste!

One of my favorite quotes by Yogi Bajhan (the yogi tea guy!) "When the time is upon you, start - and the pressure will be off."

"21 Days of Devotion"

This Jan. began with snow....and lots of it! Each year I find myself appreciating the seasons more and more. When I see the snow, I feel a cleansing, purifying, and quieting... I've barely left the apartment building where I live with my beautiful "Jersey 5" and although there have been some serious moments of cabin fever and frustration, there has been an indescribable sense of peace for where I am in my life. Those endless "must do's" and "should do's" have significantly quieted....it's almost eerie. I have also found that the new year has given me a fresh outlook on how I spend each precious moment. I have been motivated to do more yoga, enjoy more vegetarian meals, and explore the world of vibrational healing through sound and mantras. From this, my sister Cristina and I have been encouraging each other to continue our yoga practice...as we are both feeling a shift...a driving force within that is screaming for transformation...to be awakened so that we can embody our highest potentials. SO, that brings me to our "21 days of devotion"....technically this started with a free subscription to Yoga Journal as a result from my beautiful birthday spent at Kripalu last July. In the Jan. issue, they encourage their readers to take a 21 day challenge of yoga and meditation....and so...here we go! We will be yoga-ing, meditating, and blogging for the next 21 days...starting tomorrow! They say it takes 21 days to start a new habit.... =)

Blessings, Namaste, Sat Nam ~

blog change!

Heads up for anyone who happens to read this blog....Cristina and I are starting our own pages...Love and Breastmilk is now "Puranpreet" which will be my personal page...please continue to read! Cristina is starting her own blog titled "Awaken Awareness"....to be found through the link below. We are both embarking on an inward journey and Cristina is calling it our "21 days of Devotion." Please follow along on our journey! love and light ~

http://awakenawareness.tumblr.com