Wednesday, April 15, 2015

My Yoga Practice

Happy to say that, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I began practicing yoga--seriously this time--since right before my 55th birthday last month. Even happier to report that, here we are a month later, and I'm sticking with it.

I should probably preface this by saying that I'm one of those people who "flirted" with yoga in the beginning. My first foray with it was when we lived in Jersey, back when the hubby and I had memberships to Bally Total Fitness. Time-wise, the class wasn't convenient for me, but I did get to attend a couple of classes--and loved it.

Sadly, it didn't last. My kids were younger, and I was writing for magazines and a few book publishers, so my schedule was pretty filled. Yoga, which isn't always as high impact as, well, beating up on a treadmill (though some forms are), ended up something I would someday like to take up, when I had time.

Fast-forward to last year, the last few months. A friend of mine at work, great lady named Wanda, began holding Yogafit classes for employees. I went to one class, during which something clicked as it had before.

Don't know if it makes sense, but my body, itself, likes yoga. It was almost as if I understood that this was for me.

And Wanda said something during that class that resonated with me: "Make whatever adjustments you have to make. Listen to your body. It's YOUR practice."

I realized that I had made a lot of excuses as to why I would "do" yoga someday. Everything from "I don't have time" to "I'm not that flexible" and my old standby, "But I burn more calories going to the gym!"

That last one really felt short, especially in light of the past couple of years. Let's face it: At one point you pass this threshold where you no longer believe exercise (or any physical activity) is only in your life for the purpose of losing or maintaining weight. Eventually you realize that physical activity has too many other benefits to relegate it to the "only when I'm trying to lose weight" corner.

And yoga is so much more than just a physical activity.

So now I try to make it to Wanda's Wednesday night class when I can, plus I practice along with videos. I'm pleased to be able to say that I've been waking up early each morning, giving myself enough time for my practice (anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes on weekdays before work). After several weeks, I'm also familiar with enough poses that I'll put on meditative soft music and work on both the poses and my breathing.

No more excuses. And guess what? I can still make time for the treadmill or a 5K walk around the lake or a mountain hike without giving up my yoga time. My only rest day is Sunday--and even then, it feels like something is missing because I haven't rolled out my mat!

There's always time for taking care of yourself. Yoga is something I do just for me.

For me...and the body I bring to my mat each day.

It's never too late to pursue something that has always called to your heart, as yoga has done to mine. 

Namaste!


Monday, April 13, 2015

Release Date & Back on Track

That mini-vacation I took seems to have done me good, because in addition to today being the release date for my Christian short story, IF I MAY BUT TOUCH, I've already jumped into the Christian romance novella, too.

Did I say RELEASE DATE? Let's stick with that right now!

To buy IF I MAY BUT TOUCH on Amazon

To buy IF I MAY BUT TOUCH on Smashwords

To buy IF I MAY BUT TOUCH on Nook

And more coming. Check back soon!


Sunday, April 12, 2015

Coming This Week

Lots going on this week, so not sure when I'll be checking back in. One thing's for certain, and that is the release of my Christian short story, "If I May But Touch."

Yep--just as you might have guessed, this is a fictionalized account of the true story of the woman with "the issue of blood," a condition that lasted twelve years. The idea for this story actually came to me the week of Easter when I was in prayer.

Please note: This story is the SHORTEST fiction that I have published to date, weighing in at under 6,000 words. It is my hope and prayer that it may bring a blessing to those who read it.

That said, look for a release date as early as Monday or Tuesday of this week! Stay well & God bless you!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

He is Risen

Yes, I know it's still a few days away--we still have Good Friday, too--but I wanted to make sure to wish you a Happy Easter. And to add with joy, HE IS RISEN!

In the past few days I've been going through a trial. The interesting thing about going through the fire is that there's a certain "clutter removal" that gets done as you're going through that hard patch. You begin to realize what is important and what isn't. Even more, your eyes are opened and you come to see who the Lord really is in your life.

So don't mind me if I'm celebrating Easter early. Hope you'll join in that celebration with me! No coloring of eggs is necessary, no chocolate bunnies or candy. Only reverence and peace as we acknowledge with our hearts that the Lord Jesus Christ died for us, and that the grave couldn't contain Him.

He is risen!

No matter what we go through here on earth, here in this life, nothing can ever change the fact that we serve a resurrected Christ, and nothing in this life can separate us from the Great I AM's amazing love.

May you have a very blessed & Happy Easter!