An old year, a new year and a little presence #365yoga

My husband made me this
groovy incense burner from
a wine bottle. Who wants one?

The Winter Solstice/Christmas/New Year's frenzy is finally over and life can return to it's usual chaos. The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster, but I took my own advice and, thanks to time on my yoga mat, made it through. I may not be the same person I was on the first of December, but I'm still here.

And so are you. That's awesome! Now we get to move on.

I recycled my 2012 calendar yesterday. That was somewhat satisfying, especially after the way the year came to a close. The Mayans may not have made a calendar for 2013, but the National Audubon Society did. It's pretty, and has a picture of an eagle on January's page. (Garudasana, anyone?)

Speaking of groovy, when he's
not in the woodshop, my husband
takes some funky pictures, like
this one of our town's New
Year's Eve fireworks.

During a few quiet moments last week, I sat down and gave thought to what I want to do with this new year. I'm not fond of resolutions so, as in years past, I wrote affirmations based on my goals. Affirmations are written in the present tense, as if they are already happening, so instead of something to strive for, I give myself a way of being. It's about the present moment because it's really the only one that matters.

So, with a little presence, here are my 2013 affirmations:

1. My daily asana and meditation practice sustains me. It really does. It gets me through tough times and allows me to find peace even when it seems like the rest of the world is losing it. And maybe this will be the year that I finally balance a handstand off the wall.
2. My whole family benefits from healthy food prepared with love. I have been making changes already, but this year I am committing to preparing as much healthy, clean food as I can. By planning ahead, I won't be running into the store for a box of frozen preservatives and fillers every day. The food I prepare will support our wellness goals, as well as my training goals. And I'll definitely be incorporating Isagenix into my meal planning, because I can't start the morning without a shake.
3. I am fit, strong and fast. Well, faster than I was in 2012, anyway. My plan for 2013 is to run two half-marathons, then tackle my first full marathon in September. Since swim training can't happen without a pool, I'm stepping away from triathlons this year but hope to participate in my first duathlon in the fall.
4. I am an excellent yoga teacher. Yes, I set the bar high. I've got two big continuing education programs on the calendar this year. And I plan to get a recharge at Wanderlust VT in June, no matter what it takes to get there.
5. Hiking weekly grounds me. And lifts me up. And keeps me sane. And gives me lots of time with my boy. We're strapping on our snowshoes this winter so we don't have to stop.
6. My passion benefits people in my community and the environment. I'm spending some time in Albany this year and I'm taking my "Don't frack up New York's farms" sign with me. Yes, I can change the world.
7. I pursue the activities that make me happy. Climbing, hooping, banging on my bongos, bellydancing, skiing, slacklining...
8. My home is calm and inviting. And my basement is free of clutter. By the thirtieth of June. Really.
9. I read voraciously. Because I have a pile of good books sitting next to my bed.
10. By knitting and crafting all year long, I give meaningful, hand-crafted gifts. This is the affirmation that will help me finish the list of gifts I was supposed to make in 2012. If you were supposed to get one and didn't because it wasn't finished, I promise it will be worth the wait.
11. I create abundance in my life. It doesn't look like Congress is going to do anything useful, so I'm taking matters into my own hands.
12. My yoga studio is self-sustaining and growing. Thanks to a whole bunch of wonderful people who contribute in so many ways.

Okay, I'm ready for you, 2013!

I started off the new year with a dip
in Lake George.
New Year's Polar Bear Plunge 2013

The one thing you need to do to have a really fabulous holiday season

It's that time of the year. There's shopping and decorating and holiday parties. There's family gatherings and festive meals. There's spiritual rituals and secular traditions. And it's all fabulous...on paper.

The upcoming holiday season looks wonderful on glossy magazine covers and in thousands of new pins. All the recipes look yummy and gift-buying guides are full of inspiration.

All we have to do is make time for the holiday hoopla. And pay for it.

Got your holiday stress on yet?

I've had some pretty miserable holiday seasons. And I've learned one very important thing from them. It's the thing that has kept me from driving head-on into a house trimmed with perfectly straight icicle lights, right through Santa and his eight light-up reindeer.

Before you deck the halls, trim the tree, wrap the gifts or stuff the tofu turkey, take this little piece of advice.

Get on your mat.

Unroll your yoga mat every day and practice, even if that means twenty minutes in Viparita Karani (Leg Up the Wall Pose) while tears run down your face because you are going to have to choose between the toy your kid really wants and paying the rent. (Been there, done that.)

Take ten, twenty or thirty minutes a day for yourself to recharge. Not only will you feel less like strangling an elf, but in a moment of clarity you might just figure out how to get those antlers to stay on your dog's head.

The truth is, in this time of giving, the greatest gifts you can offer are your presence and your inner light. And you won't find either one unless you crawl out from under that pile of tinsel and cultivate your own serenity. Trust me, when your youngest finally climbs into Santa's lap and smiles instead of running away screaming about the scary red man, you'll want to be here and now. Practice, so you'll be ready for the really fabulous stuff that comes in moments, not in boxes.

And however you celebrate the return of the sun, I wish you a holiday season full of peace, joy and Adho Mukha Svanasanas.

Candy Cane Affirmations

Image via Wikipedia

I am a candy cane junkie. I bought this year's first box two weeks before Thanksgiving and hid them away until Black Friday, the official start of candy cane season. Since then I've had at least one a day. I can't help myself. The red-and-white pepperminty goodness keeps me in the Christmas spirit, even when the holiday preparations get stressful - like having my entire family planning to spend Christmas Day in the house I haven't moved into yet thanks to delays in finalizing our mortgage. Thank goodness for those sugary hooks.

The holidays can be stressful for many of us. We are bombarded by images of glittery holiday tables, expertly browned turkeys and trees surrounded by piles of gifts with coordinated wrap and bows. Earlier attempts to recreate magazine picture holiday decor have left me disappointed. What I've discovered over the past few years is that my family never expected a magazine picture. They've been happiest without any pressure to keep the house photo-shoot spotless and they care more about the gift than the wrapping paper. Now I try to keep reminding myself that Christmas can't be found on a glossy page, although I sometimes forget in a store aisle full of blinking lights and garland.

This time of year people come to yoga class with their own stories of holiday pressures, and they bring the holiday stress to their mats. In addition to offering my yoga students in a stress-relieving practice, I've decided to combine my candy cane addiction with affirmations - a tool that worked for me when I needed to change my thinking and my stress-causing expectations. I've got a bag full of little candy canes and I'm attaching a positive holiday affirmation to each. What could be better in the yoga room than a bowl full of good thoughts, sugar and mint?

I'm even going to try not to eat them all myself.

I've been working on the affirmations, finding some online and writing others. Here are some examples:

I give myself the gift of compassion and forgiveness this holiday season.

I glow with joyful light that shines on those around me.

A wave of peace flows through the world and over me.

I fill my home only with treasured, meaningful decorations.

I've got others, but I still have more candy canes than affirmations. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated!

Now I've got to go think of a few more. And eat a candy cane.

UPDATE: We've gotten word that the mortgage company has finished their seemingly endless approvals, checks, and quality control, and we are clear to close. Looks like we may be in the house by the weekend. Just in time to put up the Christmas lights.