Connecting - May 9, 2020 - A Good Day - Distractions

What made yesterday a good one?  (It's very early Saturday morning now.)  Distractions.
First, we shopped at Food Lion at 7:30 am.  It was Frank's first visit inside a store since April 7 when his intestinal bacteria attacked and then a week later a broken kneecap.  He thoroughly enjoyed driving the vehicle around in the store and finally actually saw empty shelves and a few people social distancing and wearing masks.  (He's still wearing a brace and using a walker for another 10 days.)  This early-in-the-morning shopping is a great benefit for those of us who are truly attempting to avoid human contact.
And so we do.
The rest of the day I never sat at my laptop and only checked my iPhone a couple of times.  I didn't watch the news until about 5 pm for about a half hour and then again at 9:00 (Rachel Madow is our favorite.)
So what did I do?  I napped a couple times, did laundry, met with Robert who will repair our bathroom floor so the toilet doesn't fall through, listened to two therapists visiting Frank, (social distancing not total for us because of these necessary visitors).  I fixed hot dogs for lunch ( a request by Frank - we'd never done that before!) and a pork tenderloin for supper.
Instead of watching news, we watched a Perry Mason show!  Truly fun!  We'll do more of that - finding old favorites on TV.  Although, we actually spend less than 2 hours a day at the tube.
My go-to when I just want to escape and not think?  A booklet of pictures I draw by connecting numbers - even better than crossword puzzles which require thinking.
Enough for this morning.  My coffee mug is empty.

Connecting - May 7, 2020 - Change

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.  Charles Darwin, 1809

I am very fortunate since I generally like change.  Although, the changes occurring now are certainly not making for added happiness except for the challenge to find ways to be at least content in spite of the sickness and death that are happening throughout our country.  How does change affect you?  How does the current change affect you?  How are you adapting?
Certainly at this time of our lives, all of us are subjected to change - whether we like it or not.
What I am seeing now, is an opportunity to be more than do.
My life is pretty well dominated now by taking care of Frank with his healing kneecap, and continuing exercises for myself for my healing wrist and shoulder.  Other than that, I have much time for choices.
The biggest change has been the loss of Frank's help with the grocery buying, cooking suppers, and doing little maintenance chores around the place.  For now, I am the one who is doing all of that, plus laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, and once in a great while vacuuming the house.  Since we don't leave the house often, we are not tracking in dirt - or so I excuse myself.
Anyway, the most pleasant things I have found myself doing are observing the natural world from our glassed-in back porch looking right over the pond.  I'll write more about that tomorrow.
In the meantime, are you finding time to BE?
Here is a short section from another poem Donna sent to me:

I want to know 

what sustains you

from the inside

when all else falls away.

I want to know

if you can be alone 

with yourself

and if you truly like

the company you keep

in the empty moments.

By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming,

Connecting May 6, 2020 - And people stayed home

I'd like to share with you a particularly timely poem I received from Donna Toland.  Still no classes at The Yogatorium, but I do want you to know that you are all in my thoughts.  From time to time I'll share thoughts with you. Please share yours with me. Text or call 864-506-4063.  Or, add a comment to the posted item.

A poem by Kitty O’Meara – updated.

And people stayed home

and read books and listened

and rested and exercised

and made art and played

and learned new ways of being

and stopped

and listened deeper

someone meditated

someone prayed

someone danced

someone met their shadow

and people began to think differently

and people healed

and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways,

dangerous, meaningless and heartless,

even the earth began to heal

and when the danger ended

and people found each other

grieved for the dead people

and they made new choices

and dreamed of new visions

and created new ways of life

and healed the earth completely

just as they were healed themselves.

Kitty O’Meara

Coronavirus - Temporary Closing The Yogatorium - March 17, 2020

The Yogatorium is closed until further notice.  You will see below a post (Asanas/Postures) listing the postures usually practiced in our classes.  Feel free to email, call or text if you have questions.
Jaquie Haymond yogatorium@gmail.com, 864-506-4063

Asanas/Postures - March 17, 2020

Asanas/Postures

In my yoga classes and workshops I include movement of as many body parts as possible from the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet, including eyes, mouth, and even the skin of the face.  To enjoy good health each part of our bodies and minds must be used or its ability is lessened.  Yoga can remind us of needs overlooked in other disciplines.  

This list includes a few asanas beginners will not be ready to attempt.  It is a reference list of postures practiced or demonstrated during classes.   All students are encouraged to try modified versions of each asana introduced by the instructor to gain as much benefit as the body is ready to absorb.  Students are most knowledgeable of their own limitations and should always adapt when needed to be safe.  If you begin to feel unusual strain or tension, stop where you are and slowly back off to a comfortable stage.  DO NOT MOVE QUICKLY.  Injuries most often occur from rapid, jerking, or bouncing movements in an attempt to force the body into a position for which it is not ready.  Each of us has a unique body that will respond over time to gentle encouragement.  You are not in competition with any other student.  You are learning to love and care for your own individual body without regard to what other students might be able to do.   Rejoice in your own improved breathing, flexibility and peacefulness.

Seated in a Chair or on mat

Laughing Lion

Eye Circles

Head Turns

Shoulder Rolls – Deep Breathing

Standing

Mountain Pose (Centering)

Side Bends

Twists (torso)

Forward Bend

Sun Salutation

Tree Pose (balance)

Warrior I

Pyramid

Warrior II

Extended Side Angle

Triangle

Wide-leg Standing Forward Bend

On the Mat  – On the Back

Full Body Stretch 

Knee Twists

Leg Twists (with strap) 

Bridge

Knees to chest

Knee twists

Leg extensions

Side Plank

On the Mat – Face Down 

Modified Cobra (on forearms)

Cobra

Locust (leg lifts)

On the Mat – Kneeling

Table

Cat-Cow

Cat – Balance

Child’s Pose

Downward Facing Dog

On the Mat – Seated

Boat Pose

Staff Pose

Forward Bend (center)

Split Leg Bends

Smiling Twisted Sage 

On the Mat – On Back

Total Relaxation Period - Savasana

In Vermont for August

We are here after three days on the road - relatively easy and fun trip thanks to GPS!  Missed two very long pileups by going around them on delightful side trips!  Saved 30 minutes on one of them and the horror of stop and go traffic for MILES!  Today - REST!  More interesting notes to be written later when I get my brain back.
Look forward to Yoga for Any Body this month with Rhonda Merritt on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm and Joanne Burkett Thursday mornings at 10 am!
59 degrees this morning and high of 72 coming!  Very low humidity is lovely.

Retreats Cancelled

The response to our Gratitude/Mindfulness retreats described below was too low for an effective program.  Therefore, both days have been cancelled.  We will plan to offer another set of retreats in October.  So, stay tuned!