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The Inner Voice
A weekly newsletter from Debbie Jensen-Grubb, RYT500
November 25, 2013 - Issue 57
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Quick Links
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This weeks reading can be seen here at The Daily OM
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To access past issues click here:
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On my recent trip to Los Angeles, California we had  the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous little corner restaurant called The French Cafe. As we were making conversation with our friendly waiter he asked where we were from. When we told him he reminisced about how he had, at the age of 22, come to LA 3 years earlier to follow his dream of becoming a stand up comic. When we suggested that he try out for America's Got Talent he quickly and emphatically said "No!", as though that was a most disgraceful way to achieve his dream.
Because of jet lag I was wide awake at 2:00 a.m. and began to muse on our conversation. I began to speculate on what I wished I had said to him.
"Say 'YES'!", is what I wished I had said to him. "Don't dictate to life how YOU think that you should achieve your dreams, instead allow Life to lead you. Take advantage of every opportunity, even if it doesn't make sense or seems risky at the time."
Life does not give us our dreams to have us struggle to make them a reality; life is not about struggle. It's about saying one 'yes' after another while staying true to yourself. Then being patient, curious, and trusting as you see where it leads you.
You may not get there in the way that you think you will but it will be the most gratifying and fulfilling journey that you would never have conceived possible. And when you look back you will see that you truly have achieved your dream, by living your life's purpose and saying "YES!"
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| Joke of the Week - hee hee | |
Can you see him?
Inspiration!
Planking can be done anywhere!
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| Mantra |
A mantra is a sound or phrase that aids in the concentration of meditation. It is a Sanskrit term and literally means 'instrument of thought'. Here you will find a suggested mantra to use during the week (from Louise Hay's 'Heal Your Body'). Just repeat it whenever you need a lift.
I trust the process of life! I am safe!
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Yoga: The Plank-a-Day Challenge
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 I am offering everyone reading this newsletter a challenge...to do a plank a day through the month of December. I do hope that you will shout an emphatic YES! and join me in this challenge.
Planks are known as one of the most beneficial poses that you can do to improve your core strength, build healthy bones, and develop better upper body strength. Not to mention how good it feels to do something that is so good for you!
You also don't need any kind of special equipment, so you can do it just about anywhere at anytime. In fact, it would be of great inspiration to others to take a picture of yourself doing plank and to share it! Or just use the picture/video to observe yourself and see how you can improve your pose. I will post any pictures anyone would like to share of themselves on my Facebook page to help inspire others.
Yoga is one of the best ways I know to help with the stress of the holidays. If the holiday blues have got you down, if you are so busy during this season that you are stressed out to the max, or you have to miss your yoga class, then consider taking on this dare. One plank a day.
It doesn't matter how long you hold the plank for (the goal is to hold it for 72 seconds) just do one plank each and every day. Don't miss a day for the whole month of December - and, no, you cannot do two planks one day to make up for a day missed, they must be done everyday. That is the challenge to this discipline, consistency.
There are different variations of the plank as you can view in the video above. Have your plank fit your abilities. I do hope you will accept my offer. I will be doing it along with you. In January I will offer a prize for all those that completed the challenge...a special hour-long yoga nidra class just for you! For those not in the area I will send a link to one of my yoga nidras that you can download and listen to at your convenience.
It starts this Sunday (after Thanksgiving), December 1st, 2013. As the Christmas Story movie narrates, "I double-dog-dare you!" Let's begin 2014 stronger, healthier, and more confident in ourselves by doing just one plank a day.
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Nutrition Prescription - New Foods
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 The world is diverse with unusual foods! Being adventurous in what you eat shows a flexibility in your attitude towards life. It is easy to get stuck in the same routine day after day, eating the same foods and doing the same things. Venture saying YES to trying new foods. It's not just about the food; the risks you take at the dinner table are extensions of the way you live. When you begin to try new foods it opens you up to trying new things in other areas of your life. This could lead to uncovering new abilities, meeting new people, or finding out that you like something you thought you didn't (like going to the opera!). Besides variety is the spice of life! When you eat different foods you open your diet up to a more varied and comprehensive nutritionally dense menu. There are some adults that have a real problem trying new foods though. There is a new field of study known as Food Neophobia that is gaining validity as they are discovering out-of-the-ordinary eating disorders; those with extremely limited food preferences who must adjust their lives around what they are able to eat. Nevertheless, for most of us it is just about breaking out of our ruts and trying something new. So go ahead and throw that chicken foot into your stock, eat a little of the liver, or try a spoonful of that sea urchin. You will never know how it might inspire you to say 'Yes!' to other things and begin to open yourself to more wonders of life.
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Say "YES!"
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Do, or do not. There is no 'try'. ~Yoda
Say 'YES!' to life, even if it frightens you. Take a chance on yourself. Try new things. When an opportunity arises, take it!
Notice how often you say 'No' to yourself. The "I can't", "I don't", and the "It's not me" excuses that hold us back are what's preventing us from living life to the fullest. In order for you to meet the highest part of yourself you must step out of your comfort zone and stretch yourself out of an ordinary life. A life lived because it is 'approved' by others is a slow death if it is not fulfilling your hearts desires.
Allow your special uniqueness to shine forth by surrounding yourself with the things that you love most, doing what draws your interest, and becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable feeling of challenging yourself.
At one point in time doing yoga was considered 'woo woo' stuff. I didn't tell many people that I was practicing it for fear of what they would think. Now it is universal and everyone is doing it. So, see? Be a pioneer, follow your heart, do what is right for you, and soon others will catch up to you.
Being different is not easy, but it brings self-confidence and assurance. Following your intuition sounds wonderful, but it comes with no explanations. At times I wonder why my inner voice prompts me to do the things it suggests, and it is when I say 'no' that I had another regret to my life. When I say 'yes' to the urgings then I am at peace.
I have learned to say 'yes' more often now, to trust and believe in something greater than myself, and to be accepting of the lessons I am learning...and relearning. Knowing that I am not alone helps me a lot. We all walk our own path. We all face the same challenges. We are all trying to make sense of the messages we receive.
Life is so full of wondrous, unique, fantastical mysteries and you are one of the them! Find your passion, live your life, be your authentic self. You don't have to have all of the answers, you don't have to see the whole picture, just take that first step and begin the journey. You will be led in the direction you need to go, one step at a time with each and every new "YES!" that you say.
We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us - Joseph Campbell
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Say "YES". Try something new (like a plank a day). Notice the objections that the mind comes up with ("I don't have time" "I can't do that"), then notice how the eternally hopeful heart says "Let's give it a shot!". Follow your heart. When you do, and you do your best, you begin to clear the way to experiences greater than you could have ever imagined.
Listen, be patient, often the right time is at the final hour, the last moment available. Trust, throw it out there and see what happens. Sometimes we have just enough information to step in the direction of our choice. If it is meant to be then it will happen. It is a confounding, infuriating, exhilarating journey and it is so worth it! All in its own good time. All YOU have to do is say "YES"!
See you in class!
Thank you!
Hugs and Namaste,
Debbie
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Please join me in my next workshop...
Yoga Nidra
New Year's Eve
December 31, 2013
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Come with your Sankalpa for 2014 and let's begin to make your dreams come true!
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