may meditation challenge

Overall, the April Attitude of Gratitude challenge went well. I definitely believe one of the secrets to happiness is living with a spirit of gratitude!

If you're up for another challenge, here's the challenge for the month of May:

For at least 5 minutes a day
MEDITATE.

It's only 5 minutes.

We can do anything for 5 minutes, right?

There are all types of meditations:

You can focus on just riding the waves of your breath.

You can count each breath to keep your mind focused and clear.

You can focus on a phrase or mantra:

Inhale "Let"

Exhale "Go"

You can do a loving kindness meditation where you focus on these four phrases as you start by thinking about yourself, then move on to someone you love, & then the challenging part...thinking about someone who you don't particularly like:

"May I (you) be free from fear."

"May I (you) be happy."

"May I (you) be healthy."

"May I (you) live with ease."

If you have trouble clearing your mind, move first! Do some sun salutations, take a walk, dance!

Your mind will most definitely resist this process--especially since most of us are very addicted to thinking. It will tell you you can't do it. It will tell you you don't have time. It will tell you there are other more important things you need to be doing. It will start projecting into the future or clinging to the past. When you find yourself thinking, just name it in:

"Thinking" and return to your breath.

If you think you can't do it, watch the documentary Dhamma Brothers. It will inspire you. It's only five minutes, but it will make a huge difference in the quality of your days and nights!

Set your alarm for five minutes and give it a try!

Peace, Love, Lipstick,

& Namaste'

Leslie

day 3 & a bit on meditation

Welcome to day 3 of the Summer Sun Salutation and Meditation Challenge. Yesterday was my last day of school for this school year, (yipee!) and we hosted a party for co-workers last night, so I must admit I was feeling a bit depleted of energy this morning. It felt wonderful not to have to set my alarm. Of course being the morning diva I am, I was up by 7:30 a.m. I did my 3 sun salutations, and then followed my body's wisdom and took my bum to the floor for some yummy stretching postures before moving into meditation.

I am by far no meditation expert, and although I only meditated for a few minutes this morning, I probably had 40 different thoughts in my head during that time--one leading to the next-to the next-to the next. I started the meditation focusing on the word "let" on the inhale and "go" on the exhale, and after only a few short seconds, my mind was off to the plans for the rest of my day. Rather than beat myself up about it, I just realized at least I was aware enough to notice my mind taking over and was consciously able to come back to my breath. Even in that short amount of time, for a few glorious seconds, I was able to really sit in the silence and feel completely still and full and well. I am definitely excited to continue this challenge and grow my meditation practice.

Here is your yoga thought for the day:

Be still & let go...

Namaste'
Yogadiva

a few more photos

Here are a few more photos of my pups from this weekends at my Mom's house. Ziggy matches the furniture and likes to pose. He also likes to steal shoes--luckily, he usually doesn't chew them up or ruin them. He just likes to carry them around and lay by them.

My mom also finished making my zafu (meditation cushion) and eye pillow this week. I fell in love with this fabric and decided it would be perfect. These will both come in very handy during my Sun Salutation and Meditation Challenge in June!

Here is your yogathought for the day from Marianne Williamson:

"I certainly don't pretend to consistently achieve a loving perspective of every situation in my own life. One thing I'm very clear about, however, is that when I do, life works beautifully. And when I don't, things stay stuck."

Namaste'

Yogadiva