Santosha

Contentment.

 "Santosha invites us into contentment by taking refuge in a calm center, opening our hearts in gratitude for what we do have, and practicing the paradox of 'not seeking' ".-Deborah Adele.

I think understanding how contentment allows us to feel whole and complete, makes all the difference in how we think and process the world around us. When we feel like we don't have enough or aren't enough of a particular quality, that ultimately means we set some serious EXPECTATIONS on ourselves. It's important to have goals, standards and dreams. But setting expectations of yourself that only goddesses and gods can reach, can only lead to disappointment. Contentment for me, is taking away those heaven reaching expectations and redirecting my FOCUS to what I have within that will provide me with the ability to succeed and be happy.

LET GO of expectations and BE CONTENT with who you are and what you have in the PRESENT MOMENT. And remember, you are exactly who and where you are supposed to be right now.

<3 k.deer
http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/

Yoga Journal- Yoga changes our brain chemistry

Great blog post from Yoga Journal- I personally can't wait for the day when Western medicine has their 'Ah HAH' moment about yoga- IT HEALS!!!! It doesn't just MASK the problems like medicines do! As it was long ago and still today in some countries, health professionals or wise gurus would 'prescribe' various postures in order to treat diseases and health problems. Sometimes I get the feeling 'health care' isn't caring much for your health as it is for wallets of those in charge of it. We can start a revolution here- point out to your doctor how yoga has changed your life. Plant the seed. As nice as it is not having insurance companies and the medical field sniffing around our yoga studios to take a piece of the pie, there may be an opportunity to get their support and eventually have yoga prescribed for your health, well being and therepy needs.

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2010/11/new-research-says-yoga-changes-brain-chemistry.html

Yogis have known for centuries that a yoga practice makes us feel calm and centered. But science is finally catching up with what we've all experienced on the mat and the cushion:  yoga changes our brain chemistry, which in turn helps improve mood and decrease anxiety.



A new study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary medicine reports that yoga triggers the release of the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate nerve activity.

The findings establish a new link between yoga, higher levels of GABA, and improved mood.

The study, led by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine (the lead researcher is a yogi!), brings us one step closer toward harnessing yoga's power of prevention and relaxation.  Who knows: maybe this can lead to a wider acceptance of yoga in the medical community as a tool to help people struggling with anxiety and depression.  Prescription for yoga, anyone?

<3 k.deer

http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/

Let Go -- All Together Now

I taught a Hot Vinyasa flow class this afternoon and used a simple idea to repeat throughout the class... you guessed it... LET GO...

It was incredible. I hope and I think I truly felt that every person in that class had something to respond with when asked, "What do you need to let go of? What is holding you back?" Inhale, open the heart, exhale, let go. I reminded students to FEEL the postures and when tensions came up, to LET GO of the feelings that were inhibiting the change to occur. This theme cultivated an energy I've never felt before. By the end of class, it was like all the smoke cleared... the world had lifted off everyones shoulders in some capacity.. we all felt a bit freer. I am SO THANKFUL that I had the opportunity to share that experience and I will always take the lesson my class TAUGHT ME forever..


This quick article from Yoga Journal is a statement to the power of a community class- a collective effort to help one another without even realizing it. We lift each other up in yoga. We share a common goal. So get together and bring peace to your world and the world around you :-)

Daily Insight -- All Together Now


<3 k.deer http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/

Change is good :)

Stepping into the hot yoga room may change your life. It changed mine. My practice at first was a serious love/hate battle- I cursed myself for coming when it got hard but the moment it ended, I was thankful and stronger and planning tomorrow so I could make it back. Bikram yoga made me change my perspective on how I viewed myself, inside and out. For the most part, the dialog offered instruction and guidance through the physical practice without any spiritual inspiration. But the motivation and reinforcement to stick with the pose, burn it out, stay still, don't fidget and stay in the room- makes a significant impact on your ability to have self control, focus and determination. Without realizing it, I designed my own spiritual connection with the practice and ultimately taught myself how to connect with the present and look inward. No one is in the room there doing the work for you. YOU are in control and YOU have the power to make change in your body and mind. Start there. Then perhaps, change may start to take place in the world around you. Namaste :-)

http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/

<3 k.deer

Hot Yoga is for Love

Please leave your ego at the door.. We have all heard it before. But before you go and ban your ego from coming onto the mat with you, consider the fact that it's OK to love what you see. It can motivate you, make you feel proud, accomplished or simply content. Your practice may be a moving meditation, but it's also an expression, TO YOURSELF, of who you are. You are there for YOU and only YOU. Express yourself, feel confident in what you do and what you wear, because inside the yoga room is a perfect time to cultivate the love you have for yourself. Love what you see, love how you feel, love who you are.

Express yourself!
http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/
<3 k.deer

Design your Monday...

So normally, Mondays are loathed, despised and dreaded. So before you even start the day, you have doomed it to weekday hell. Well, WAKE UP, people. Let this day breathe light into a week of productivity and experiences. DECIDE right NOW that TODAY is going to ROCK. Make a tiny to-do list of things you KNOW you CAN accomplish. Setting expectations- HIGH expectations- will only lead to disappointment when they are not met. Start simple, no big umbrella ideas. Here's my To-Do for Today..

-organize patterns from development
-work out a pattern for new short- make 1 sample (I can always do a second draft if I have time)
-deposits to the bank
-put away laundry- it will make the space more clean, therefor my mind gets more clear!!

Cool- attainable tasks and I will feel SO accomplished when they are complete. There is nothing wrong with setting yourself up for success. So often we do the exact opposite, because we expect SO MUCH from yourselves and others. If you are in an environment where you rely on others to get things done, ask them to do the task, but have them break it down part by part, so they can have multiple wins leading up to completing the task- the ultimate win :)

So you have things to DO.. that's great. But often we get wrapped up in the DO this DO that.... We are not HUMAN-DOINGS, we are HUMAN-BEINGS!! Make your TO-BE list, or you can call it your I-AM list, as we live in the present. Maybe this list is simply what you are feeling, what you want to feel or HOW you are going to BE today. Here's my I-AM list..

-open hearted
-peaceful, calm
-meditate or concentrate for a few minutes if my work starts to get frustrating or overwhelming (it's got potential)
-smile- dance session? ok!
-I want to feel more positive- I know I am talented, I know I will succeed, because what I do comes from the LOVE I have for myself, the LOVE I receive from others, and the LOVE that I share..
-yoga :)

Simple, come back to some key words throughout the day, LOVE, PEACE, OPEN, SMILE, CALM, BREATHE, SUCCESS-- those little reminders will give you a boost and bring awareness to FEELING good throughout your day!

OH! and totally get on the mat... if you can't get to a class, you know what to do!! Maybe a few sun salutations, a pose or two to open your heart, do something active where you can let your mind quiet from the day's hustle and bustle.. Go for a walk and simply focus on your breath, make a rhythm out of your steps and see how refreshed you are by the end. Yoga can present changes inside your mind and body that will bring light, love and happiness into your life. In some capacity, do yoga today :)

Me, I'll be heading to the HOT room.. in my Bum Bums..... http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/ --I have to test my sample ;)

<3 k.deer