10 Minute Twisting Practice in the Olives

I had the privilege of visiting Croatia again recently, to see a dear friend from way back when I lived and worked in Bangladesh.

Her talents and generosity seem boundless and, along with her partner, they produced this lovely video for me.

This is a ten minute sequence filmed by a lake amongst the olive groves that abound in Dalmatia.  The overall effect reminds me of practicing yoga in a Renaissance painting.

My friend, Mejrema, composed the music herself and it is from an album she produced while working with people with autism as part of an art in therapy project. It fit perfectly with the mood. It also fit perfectly with me since my full-time work is with people with autism.  

I did not plan this sequence. We saw a beautiful scene.  We set up a camera.  I stood for a moment, took a few calm breaths, and practiced what came to me in the moment.

The sequence consists of some strong standing balances, but if you were practicing it you could modify it so you either kept your toe on the ground or you hugged your leg to your body, rather than straightening it as I do.

There are also some standing twists and side bends.  Again, you could modify these to your capacity.

When I reviewed the footage I loved how my knobbly arms and legs seemed to blend with the branches of the olives.

The olive is sacred to the people of this area.  I love how their silvery leaves sparkle in the breeze.

I smile when I see this video.  I hope you will too.

Happy and safe practicing!

Much metta,
Samantha

www.yogacafecanberra.blogspot.com
www.yogacafelk.blogspot.com

Brilliant Yoga Idea: Go Easy On Studio Time And Get Outdoors

I am going to start a series of posts with some brilliant yoga ideas.

I think they are brilliant.

You can make up your own mind.

My first brilliant idea is for you to give up your studio time for a week and exchange it for yoga time in the great outdoors.

The bare naked sky above you is good for you.  That ceiling and those walls just contain you.

The breeze on your face is good for you.  That air conditioning (or heating) just dries you out.

The ground beneath your feet--be it grass or dirt or sand is good for you.  Wooden floors are nice, don't get me wrong, but they are inside!! [see points above].

When you practice outside beneath an open blue sky you look up and feel almost as though you are a part of it.

It's breath-taking.

When you open your eyes from savasana to behold a starry night you can't help but feel at peace.

It's awe inspiring.

When you start your pre-dawn practice and watch the sun rise, you feel the sun's rays shimmering on your skin.

It's radiant.

When you practice in nature you are continually amazed by the beauty of the world around you.

No matter what wallpaper is pasted, what music is played, or what statues are placed, I will never find a better place to practice than the great outdoors.

On days when I feel exhausted, I always feel better if I just open a window or door.

On days when I think I can't practice, I simply step outside and find myself drawn to move or sit quietly and meditate.

It might be freezing, it might be boiling.  It might be windy, it might be raining.

I simply pop my head outside and figure out what I need to wear and where I can be as sheltered as necessary without 'succumbing' to the elements.

It can be hard.  Sometimes you need to be creative.  But it is always worth my while.

Why don't you try for yourself?  Expose yourself to nature rather than hide away indoors and feel yourself embraced by nature.

Happy and safe and brilliant practicing.  See you outdoors somewhere in Canberra, Sri Lanka or Bali soon!

much metta,
Samantha

www.yogacafecanberra.blogpost.com
www.artofliferetreats.com