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| Dear Friends, |  Finding time for Yoga
practice can be challenging. Busy with
work, family and community responsibilities, many of my students tell me that,
despite their best intentions, they just can't seem to make time for home practice.
But the less time you have for Yoga, the more you need it!
That's why it's important to
recognize that you don't have to limit your Yoga practice to time spent on the
mat. As a moment-by-moment practice of
awareness, Yoga can be woven into anything you do.
For example, as the autumn
leaves have been falling onto the deck in my backyard, I've been practicing The Yoga of Sweeping Leaves. Please understand that this is very
different from the mindless, multi-tasking way we often "fit in fitness"--such
as walking on a treadmill while watching TV and texting--which separates our
mind and body, as if the exercise was so odious we need to be anyplace but
here! In contrast, Leaf-Sweeping Yoga is a practice of being fully present in your
body, breathing deeply and consciously moving with good alignment, while
enjoying the sounds, smells, sights, textures and tastes of the present
moment.
To practice Leaf-Sweeping Yoga, come into Mountain Pose--feet grounded, crown of
the head extending skyward and shoulders relaxed. Bring your palms together at your heart
center and take a few deep, full breaths. On inhalation, fill your body with breath so that your belly rounds, your rib cage expands and your upper chest fills. On exhalation, allow everything to soften back down. Set an intention to stay present and to move your body mindfully, with gratitude.
Next, hold your broom (or rake) in a firm, but light grasp--avoid unnecessary white-knuckling. Begin to sweep, paying close attention to what's going on in your body and with your breath as you clear away the leaves and debris. Avoid rounding your back--if you must lean forward, bend your knees and hinge from your hips. Be sure to switch the position of your broom so that sometimes it's on the right side of your body and other times on the left.
If your mind wanders off to
the future or the past, notice without judgment that your mind is chattering. Release those distracting thoughts and bring your attention back to your
breath and to your posture in the present moment. Enjoy the process of freeing the clutter from
your deck or walk, and the
cobwebs from the corners of your home and of your
mind.
In Joy,
 Carol Krucoff, E-RYT www.healingmoves.comFor detailed instructions
on practicing Yoga while cooking, please read my article on "Kitchen Yoga" from Better Health & Living magazine. |
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Carol's Upcoming Events
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Monday, October 11, 2 p.m.:
Carol will discuss, "Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain," at The Cedars of Meadowmont, in Chapel Hill (for Cedars members and their guests).
October 24-31:
Carol and her colleague
Kimberly Carson will offer the Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors Teacher Training at
Duke Integrative Medicine. For
information, please visit:
http://www.dukeintegrativemedicine.org/index.php/professional-training/therapeutic-yoga-for-seniors.html
Sunday, November
7, 4 to 5:30 p.m.:
Carol will discuss
"Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain," for the Rhine Research
Center. For information, please visit:
http://www.rhine.org/events.htm#Healing%20Yoga
Tuesday, November 30, 7 to 8 p.m.:
Carol will present a lecture and chair-based yoga experience on
"Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain," at Barnes & Noble at
The Streets at Southpoint, 8030 Renaissance Parkway, Durham, NC,
(919) 806-1930.
December
5 - 10:
Carol and her colleague
Kimberly Carson will offer the Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors Teacher Training at
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. For information, please visit:
http://www.kripalu.org/program/view/TYSTT-101/therapeutic_yoga_for_seniors_teacher_training
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