Jean's Yoga Lovenotes

Joy There are many reasons to feel anxious, distressed, upset, confused in this world we are in today.  As a salve to smooth over the bumps, I suggest you remind yourself of what brings you joy. Find the good in life.  Let's have a look: What brings me joy? Having someone look in my eyes and give me a warm hug Finding beautiful mushrooms in the woods Making food for my wonderful sons Bright sunshine against a bluebird sky Petting a furry friend Smelling something yummy baking in the oven Jumping into bed on a cool night and wrapping up in flannel sheets and a good read Listening to an owl hooting in my backyard on a dark night Moving my body - stretching, sweating, reaching a bit further than my comfort zone Growing and enjoying beautiful flowers Connecting with the women in my life Freedom that our veterans have sacrificed to allow us to enjoy - Thank you to all who served our country Now friends, take a minute, close your eyes, a...

October is bringing colorful leaves on the trees here in Vermont.  The rainbow of reds, oranges, yellows, and green make me grateful for the beauty around me.  I find it important this time of year to get outside and take time in nature.  The days are getting shorter and the light is shifting. (Photo by Leslie Noble) Have you noticed how it is darker in the mornings and sunset is coming a bit sooner when you get home at the end of the day? Taking time for a short walk can do wonders for your spirit.  Pay attention to the world around you as you walk and take in the beauty of the season. Breath deeply and fill your lungs with air. Keeping life simple and enjoying the things right in front of us is one way to find peace and love.   Namaste, Jean My wish for you today is health in your body, peace in your mind and love in your heart. If you know someone who would enjoy reading these Lovenotes, share this link.  SIGN UP FOR Jean's Yoga for all...

Oh Very Young  by Cat Stevens Oh very young what will you leave us this time There'll never be a better chance to change your mind And if you want this world to see a better day Will you carry the words of love with you Will you ride the great white bird into heaven And though you want to last forever You know you never will… Saying goodbye is hard. Do you have a hard time saying goodbye?  I do. Sometimes I almost would rather not even say goodbye but just move along and know that we will meet again sometime in the future.   Recently, my friend Steve’s dog of 14 years had more and more trouble with breathing and hip problems that caused her pain.  It was so hard to see Callie in such distress. She has been such a sweet and zen natured dog. It was with great thought, respect for her quality of life and love that the decision was made to put her down.  It is the hardest choice a pet owner has to make. How do you willingly let a member ...

Jean’s Yoga Lovenote May 28, 2017 On this memorial day weekend, I want to send out thanks and appreciation for all those who have served our country so that we may live a life of freedom.  We are so fortunate to live in America and I am thankful to all those who have served to make it such a wonderful place to be. "Begin each day with optimism and end each day with forgiveness. Happiness in life begins and ends within your heart." ~Doe Zantamata  As the weather warms up and the flowers are popping open all over, I am finding my desire to do yoga has moved to the outdoors.  There is so much benefit to being outside for our well being.  The fresh air, and the green and blue outdoor colors are very healing to our souls.  I have set a goal for myself to walk for 30 minutes each day for 30 days.  (so far I am 10 days in!)  When I get started each day to do my walk, I do some yoga stretches before and after I walk to make sure I am warmed up and ...

Welcome to Lovenote May 6, 2017 Pose of the week: Warrior 3 Virabhadrasana 3 Begin standing tall with your feet together. Lift one leg back behind you as you fold your torso forward. Keep your back flat and eyes looking ahead. Reach both arms diagonally back behind you. Stay for 10 seconds. Inhale to come up. Drop your back foot down and release your arms. Come back to standing in Tadasana on your mat. Repeat on the other side. Quote of the week -  May Flowers Always Line Your Path - Irish blessing Springtime OUTDOOR Mindfulness Walking Series has arrived!! Our next one is tomorrow and it is not too late to  sign up here! I am over the top excited to gather with you and hit the walking path.  I will be taking walks on Sundays and 3pm and Monday evenings at 5:30pm for 1.5 - 2 hours at some of my favorite walking paths and trails in the local area.  We will meet on site where we will be walking.  Directions will come when you  sign...

It is not too late to    sign up here! A little yoga stretching Some mindfulness walking Then a few minutes to journal your thoughts Walking around some beautiful spots right here in VT.

Breathe in Gratitude, Breathe out Love! Good Morning Yogis! Welcome to Lovenote April 23,  2017! This week I have had 2 people tell me that I am exuding peace.  Say what??  It gives me tingles up my spine to hear that.   Here is Peace story #1: My housemate Karen just came back from a trip south to Florida where she got back into her painting.  She painted a stunning reproduction of a lovely picture that I took in Williston last fall when we had a  supermoon in October 2016. Here is the picture I took: Here’s Karen’s painting: As she was cleaning up her painting pallets she we talked about the picture and the painting and she said to me,” Your pictures have a peaceful way about them.”  I love that the essence that comes from the picture to her was peace.  Please, let there be more peace! Peace Story #2: I had dinner with my friend Laurie the other night.  We had a lovely time talking and eating good food. ...

Breathe in Gratitude, Breathe out Love! Good Morning Yogis!  Welcome to Lovenote April 9,  2017! Do you think of yourself as a creative artistic sort?  I have been dabbling in that discussion with myself lately.  It is easy for me to be critical of my artistic skills and talents(or lack thereof!).  In the past, I have told myself that can’t paint or I am not an artistic type.  When I try to draw with a pen or pencil even my stick people look a little weird!  The truth of the matter is, I have never really given it a fair shot.  Why would I suddenly be artistic if I never spend time doing artistic things?!   It is just like when people say to me, “Jean, I can’t do yoga!  I can’t even touch my toes!”  I hear that a lot.  The thought that pops into my mind when people say that is, “Well, when was the last time you reached down and tried to touch your toes?”  I also wonder, “Why do you think touching your toe...

Breathe in Gratitude, Breathe out Love! Hello Yogis!  Welcome to Lovenote April 1,  2017! As I opened my eyes this morning and looked out my window, a white blanket covered the trees outside my window.  This is no April fools!  There was snow that had fallen last night in my corner of Vermont! I was hoping that maybe our Vermont Spring was ready to come but good ol’ winter winds are at it again and 4 inches or so of snow fell!  Oh well, this is Vermont, just wait a few minutes and the weather will change!! Give this a listen:   Sometimes it snows in April In the meantime, I have been having fun teaching a new yin yoga class to some elementary/middle school teachers.  Yin yoga is a cooling nurturing yoga practice that does not force any poses.  Instead, you coax your body into relaxing and holding poses for 3 - 5 minutes.  This allows passive movement where you stretch connective tissues while relaxing your body and min...

Breathe in Gratitude, Breathe out Love! Hello Yogis!  Welcome to Lovenote March 26, 2017!   Do you ever find yourself ever being frustrated by other people and not sure what to do about it?  I do!  Perhaps someone says something that is hurtful or controlling or confusing.  What do you do?  My normal reaction is to take it on; internalizing it.  I start to worry about what I did wrong.  Or I think I did something to create this reaction from another.  Sometimes I  pull back and shut down.  This can cause a whole series of health issues like being anxious, not sleeping well, overeating or indulging in comforts that make you avoid thinking about that uncomfortable situation.  That is no good for you or for your well being! In an effort to counteract these types of less healthy reactions I began this week trying another approach.  I have a phrase that I have been using. “Let It Be.”   There are many w...