a word on chakras

As I've mentioned multiple times recently, I've been reading Judith Anodea's Eastern Body Western Mind and LOVING it. I actually finished the book yesterday--it's a whopping 458 pages and I finished it in less than a month (which is fast for me, since I am always reading at least three books at one time). Today, I started going back through the book and rereading all the quotes I highlighted. For those who aren't familiar with the chakra system, or why it matters, here is a short explanation from the book:

"Chakras are not physical entities in and of themselves. Like feelings or ideas, they cannot be held like a physical object, yet they have a strong effect upon the body as they express the enbodiment of spiritual energy on the physical plane. Chakra patterns are programmed deep in the core of the mind-body interface and have a strong relationship with our physical functioning. Just as the emotions can and do affect our breathing, heart rate, and metabolism, the activities in the various chakras influence our grandular process, body shape, chronic physical ailments, thoughts, and behavior. By using techniques such as yoga, breathing, bioenergetics, physical exercises, meditation, and visualization, we can, in turn, influence our chakras, our health, and our lives. This is one of the essential values of this system--that it maps onto both the body and the mind, and can be accessed through either."

(*photo from http://www.besteasternhealthtips.com/)

I will be sharing more from this book throughout the next month. It really has opened my eyes to the connection between our chakras and our personality, health, and well-being. Creating a balance of energy flow is the ultimate goal, and once again, I am reminded why yoga is such a healing practice.

Peace, Love, Lipstick,
& Namaste'
Leslie

yoga at home & kindness

Tonight I turned off my cell phone, went into our study/music/yoga room and did my Ali MacGraw Yoga Mind & Body DVD. I LOVE this DVD. It has great music. It has beautiful scenery. It has wonderful instruction. (Erich Schiffman instructs the practice.) When I am wanting a steady, but not overly rigorous practice, this is definitely my all-time favorite DVD.

I now feel more connected to both my body and my breath. I feel open, and whole, and cleansed. Tonight's practice reminded me of the importance of being kind--and not just to others. Every thought that we think our bodies believe and absorb--whether the thoughts are true or not. The body is wise, but it cannot distinguish between true thoughts (like we are light, and love, and full, and whole) and those that are rubbish. I try my best to make sure my thoughts about myself are kind and loving thoughts; however, this is often easier said than done. I also realize that my thoughts can often become stressful thoughts about work, life, money, etc. My body absorbs all those stressful thoughts, and those toxins just hang out in the body (and eventually cause dis-ease) unless released. I'm currently devouring the book Eastern Body Western Mind, and with every page read, I am once again reminded of how important yoga is to help keep our bodies cleansed and our hearts open and full.

I'm setting an intention this week to be extra kind to myself? Wanna join me? Do some yoga, too. It does a body good!

Peace, Love, Lipstick,
& Namaste,
Leslie

eastern body western mind & seane corn

Seane Corn is one of my all time favorite women and role-models. I adore her authenticity & inner and outer beauty. She radiates light and love--truly. One of my goals is to attend a yoga workshop with her some day--hopefully soon! I would love to have the opportunity to be in the same space with her and learn from her. I recently listened to a podcast of her being interviewed which I found fascinating. It was a part of the Sounds True podcast that I downloaded from itunes. I highly recommend it, if you get the chance. In this interview Seane mentioned a book called Eastern Body, Western Mind. I immediately looked it up on Amazon, and I knew this was going to be my next read. It's a book after my own heart combining yogic philosophy, spirituality, and psychology. I got the book in the mail today and immediately started reading it. For those of you interested, here's the description of the book from the back cover:

"In this groundbreaking book, Anodea Judith brings a fresh approach to the yoga-based Eastern chakra system, placing it within the framework of Western thought. Exploring the chakras through Jungian psychology, somatic therapy, childhood developmental theory, and metaphysics, she creates an elegant and practical system for healing energy imablances and taking control of your mental and physical health.

Each chapter focuses on a single chakra, starting with a description of its characteristics and identity issues. Judith then examine that chakra's particular developmental patterns, its traumas and abuses, and how to keep it in balance. The unique combination of Eastern and Western theories elucidates the spiritual nature of personality development and how it fits within the structural logic of the body.

Seamlessly blending psychology and spirituality, Eastern Body, Western Mind creates a compelling interpretation of the chakra system and its relevance for Westerners today."

Love this! I look forward to sharing many insights from this book with you!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I'm off to a night of knitting with the girls.

Namaste'
Leslie

love me some books

Have I mentioned I love, love, love to read? Seriously, there is nothing like having a good book in hand. I also love learning and find because of this, I often read non-fiction. I pretty much always have a yoga book, personal-growth/self-help book, and most recently a business book with me.

My newest yoga read is A Woman's Book of Yoga: Embracing Our Natural Life Cycles by Machelle M. Seibel, MD and Hari Kaur Khalsa. So far, I am really enjoying it. I find it very beneficial to read yoga books about all different styles--I figure it can only enhance my current practice and teaching!

I am also reading The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your life One Month at a Time by Cheryl Richardson. Cheryl is on of my all-time favorite personal growth authors. Every thing she writes resonates with me!

Would love to hear if you have any recommended reads!

Namaste'

Leslie

new summer yoga read

I just started reading Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds and Senior Teachers of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. I am only through the first chapter, but I am already loving it! I definitely appreciate the focus on taking yoga off the mat and using it as a way to stay present and peaceful in the midst of daily life.

Here's a yogathought from the book:

"With your mind focused on what's happening here and now, you can respond to life directly, free of past baggage and worries about the future. Being present empowers you to make conscious choices about what you want--and don't want--to create in your life. When you are present in your body, you live with a natural ease and grace."

Namaste'
Yogadiva