Jean's Yoga Lovenotes

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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...

24 Hours I recently learned about a new book called So This Is the End: A Love Story by Alexandra Franzen. The central question of the book is: "If you had just 24 hours to live, what would you do with your time?" I love this question! I made a list of some of the things I would definitely do with #MyFinal24 hours. Here's my list: Love my sweetheart S, verbally, physically, in written words I have time with my son to tell him how much I love him and have him take me on a boat ride on the lake. I call my other son and we have video chat so that I can tell him how much I love him and we talk and hang out online. I call my brothers and sister and say goodbye. I call my girlfriends and tell them I love them and say goodbye. Write a note to B saying goodbye. Make a wonderful meal and eat with L and S, then go for a lovely walk around the pond. Hug, kiss, cry Make a list of my things I want to give to others. PS. What would be o...

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...

This week in our national politics a lot of hot topics have risen and there is a fire of emotion in the air. I am simply going to encourage you to remember to take care of yourself during this time.  Wherever you sit on these topics, keep in mind that peace and love is the way.  This is my yoga.   This is my mantra for the week:  Peace and Love is the way. Take time for some deep breathes, enjoy those around you.   Here are some loved furry friends that make us feel peace and love!

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 ...

Lovenotes RETURN!!     September 2018   Dear Yogi friends, I was asked today by a friend, what happened to Love Notes?!  It has been a while since I have sent these. I admit that I drifted!  I have been doing a lot of travel, working and thinking. It has been fun.  My writing shifted off tech. No computer. Yes, that’s right….I still wrote over the summer but it has involved paper, markers, gel pens, magazine collage and little tokens of my day to day life - tickets, all collected in a notebook that is fun to go back and look at.  Neat little reminders of the summer days past. And through it all I have been aware, breathing, living, loving, and now I realize I miss connecting with you, my yoga friend!  I took the summer off from teaching yoga classes with the exception of just a few specialty workshops. I did yoga on the beach.  I did yoga at a few new studios. I hugged Redwood trees. I hiked. I biked. It felt good to shake i...

December is the darkest month. And yet she surprises us with some amazing light.  Here is sunrise out my bedroom window the other morning.  The winter solstice will bring the cycle of darkening days to an end and low and behold, the days start getting longer!  Yippee! Take this moment that you are reading this to just stop, take 3 deep breathes and really focus on the breath coming in and going out.  Then gently roll your head around in a circle one way a few times and then switch and roll it the other way. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe and protected. May you feel ease and well being. Blessings to you,  Jean

  Hello Yoga Friends! We have a round of very warm September weather and I thought it would be fun to share some outdoor yoga moves that I did when I was down on Cape Cod last month. The beach is a fantastic place to do some yoga. Your feet sink into the sand and get comfy. The breeze from the water cools you and the sun warms you. It is lovely. This was on the beach each morning after they raked! It was a beautiful mandala to start yoga with. It almost felt wrong to sit on it! Start by sitting on a towel outdoors and bring your hands to your heart and take 3 deep breathes.   Come to your feet and reach to the side - Triconasana Triangle pose.   Reach the other way, stretching long through your arms. Goddess pose - bend your knees and elbows.   Lunge with hands up high!  S pread your arms wide and twist in the lunge.   Seated side angle pose - make your side long!   Then lean to the other side ...

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 ...

Breathe in Gratitude, Breathe out Love! Good Morning Yogis!   Hello Yogis and Happy Mother’s Day to all my favorite moms! But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins.       - Mitch Albom The picture above is a sculpture that I saw on a recent trip to Montreal in the Old Port.  When I came upon it I had to stop and admire it for a bit of time.  The facial expressions on the women were so endearing and they made me feel like I had stumbled upon a deeply personal conversations between 3 mothers who were clearly concerned about a child and a situation that had caused them worry. In today’s lovenote I would simply like to thank my mother and all my mother friends who are reading this.  Thank you for love, care, support, and being there.  Being a mother is a challenging and imperfect job but so many of us take it on and do it with grace, strength and love.  Thank ...

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...