Jean's Yoga Lovenotes

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 toes is a skill you must have to practice yoga?” :) There is a te

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 mind.  Those who attended have reported back to me t

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 ways to interpret this phrase. Let it be. Let it be bold. Let it be s