In the House of the Spirit
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. --Buddha
After a hiatus from much exercise of any kind--recent holidays, sick with a cold for nearly two weeks (Dear Husband and I are well on the mend now :o), and generally busy days--it is great to be back on my yoga mat again!
I am excited about some new posture sequences that I've been adding to my yoga practice, thanks in part of a new yoga CD, Yoga Wave, I got in December, created by well-known yoga teacher Shiva Rea. This is a flow approach to yoga with lunar and solar practice sessions designed for a home practice for vitality and energy. Her Drops of Nectar CD, also for enhancing a home-based practice offers enlightening sequences for rejuvenation and relaxation. What is great about both is that there is much for the beginning practitioner and advanced alike. To encourage my practice, Dear Husband gave me a new subscription to Yoga Journal magazine! I had let my subscription lapse after some difficulties in actually receiving the magazine here to me in Norway. So I'm glad to take a chance again and have this enriching publication to help support my practice.
A long while ago I wrote a bit about the importance of yoga in my life, and I have been practicing for many years now. This year though, I will be going deep into my practice, with finer focus more than before of the more spiritual aspects of yoga--coming in tune more deeply with the spiritual as well as physical qualities. I will be making more time for seated meditation too. To be on a spiritual path requires greater dedication of heart, mind and soul. For a while my yoga and spiritual practices were beginning to suffer the end of last year due to time constraints... time on the mat in snatches for as long as I could... Oh, dear... Time to shape up body and soul!
For practice space I use a corner of the living room, our "library corner"... I just unroll my mat in the space we have. I dream of a room just for yoga--a space, open, bright room just to practice in, nothing big, nothing fancy. Maybe someday! But for now my corner is a good, happy spot to practice in. Some space on a nearby shelf of one of the bookcases has become my altar for my practice accessories--incense, candles, touch stones, mala, a flower...
My practice of yoga and Buddhism flow into each other, each a bridge to the other to becoming one pathway that supports me always... In 2009 I will be dwelling more deeply in the house of spirit--riding the wave to joy and living a path with heart.
Whatever your own path, may you find nourishment and light along the way in the days ahead of this bright new year!
The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. --Buddha
Just Beautiful, Tracy :-) You are an inspiration.
Posted by: Rosie's Whimsy | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Hiee Tracy! Health is really so important and the greatest gift. I love your idea of yoga and Buddhism...i should really put some serious thoughts in starting yoga as well. Love this post and thank you so much for sharing! Btw, my birthday falls on the 8th of Jan..just 2 days away! Have a great day!
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Dear Tracy, I wish you a Bliss and Yogaful New Year!
Great post, love the quote from Buddha you started off with and enjoyed watching you doing yoga in your tranquil yoga corner.
Have a Blissful day, my dear!
Posted by: Yolanda Elizabet | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
My class starts again tomorrow after the Christmas break - I am looking forward to it!
Posted by: dottycookie | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
That is so wonderful! One of my new year resolution is to keep myself healthy. I so agree with your thought about health. It keeps your mind focused. I might get myself the Yoga CD. I always find the posture difficult because I am a total beginner. Did you find it hard at start? I will go and cycle now! :D
Posted by: Kyoko | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Good morning Tracy. Your Yoga post is enlightening and inspiring. My dh was starting Yoga and he let it slide. I am going to ask him to read your post today to get him going again. I think I would love Yoga too but recovering from knee replacement has slowed me down and on Feb.2nd, I am having my other knee done. Ouch!!! The total recovery is months and then my strength will return to my knees again. We have many cd's on Yoga so starting is all set.
You look beautiful in your photos. Serenity and peace is in every position you have shown.
I am very impressed and happy for you to be so dedicated to your sense of well being. I would like to be there too. Smile
Hugs...Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Wow Tracy, you look like this is something you really enjoy and treasure. I've never tried Yoga. I like the space you have. It looks like a great place to be. I am a fan of well lit places. They always make me feel good.
I hope you are able to take your journey with Yoga to the place you'd like to be.
My best to you!
take care,
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
It's easy to forget that yoga is a deeply spiritual practice. Thanks for reminding me. Your posture is excellent, by the way.
Posted by: Shayla | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
what a lovely space.. i yearn for a clutter free calm space at home to encourage me to practice too. You look so serene and at peace. inspiring xxx
Posted by: myrtle | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I have let my yoga slip over the past couple of extremely stressful years. I desperately need to get back into it. :-) x
Posted by: Kitty | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Wonderful and inspirational! I dabble in yoga and enjoy the relaxation and sense of well being that it brings. I also enjoy meditation but like you find it difficult to make time ~ but you have inspired me to make more of an effort!
Posted by: MrPuffy | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
So nice that you practise something so healthy! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: tattingchic | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
You're so so cute!
Love ya!
cielo
Posted by: cielo | January 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I love that last quote from Budda Tracy! It's beautiful. I used to do Yoga years ago, but cannot imagine me being able to do any right now. Perhaps one day when I have lost some of thie extra baggage I am carrying around. I just love you to pieces. Did you know that? I hope that you do. I wanted to have a chat yesterday, but ended up getting stuck into a painting and then it was too late. Perhaps later today? I hope so! Can't wait to speak to you sweet friend. I am missing you something awful!! XXOO
Posted by: Marie | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Very cool. You inspire me to think about taking yoga classes. Hmmm... We'll see. ;-)
Paz
Posted by: Paz | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
What an inspiring post. My husband has always been interested in yoga and meditating. The only thing is that he would often simply fall asleep when he was meditating...actually he does that when he's reading or watching TV too. (LOL)
Posted by: Caroline | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
No wonder you have such a beautiful spirit...it's the yoga!! Seriously, this is a timely post for me...I've been thinking about yoga for weeks now wanting to 'will' myself into believing I can do it. Now I'm off to read your post about 'the importance of yoga in my life'....thanks for sharing your words.
Posted by: cathleen | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
....I posted my blooming lotus on my blog just for you. No need to comment as comments are off. I have been waiting and overdosing it with fertilizer for months and I missed the first bloom when I was away. This was the 2nd one, so I am waiting for it to open..probably by this evening when I am home. It's specially for you sweetheart, for being one of my best bud :D
much love :D
Posted by: M.Kate | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Tracy this was certainly an inspiring post and a great motivator to find nourishment peace & light along the way in the days ahead. Thank you aNNa
Posted by: naturegirl | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Namaste Tracy :D
Oh...I am so proud of you. I have transplanted my yoga mat from home to office, but (dont have a heart attack)..I used it to lie down during the period I had the broken tailbone. It's still in the office collecting dusts. I have long wanted to change one of my empty room for Yoga and will do it soon. I have stopped going to yoga classes for a long and really want to re-start again. Yes, year 2009 should be a healty year for me. I have started my walking sessions and so far so good, fingers, toes and rabbits ears crossed...I hope I will be able to go through it the whole year. Your Buddha corner is just lovely, isnt Buddha so peaceful and serene. Beautiful post Tracy, and one of lotus pond is blooming..I do wish I could send the real one to you...the smell is subtle but purely divine! Big hugs always, much love,M
Posted by: M.Kate | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Hi Tracy
Love the quote at the beginning of your post and enjoyed reading about your yoga and how it helps you with your health. I have started to cycle to work as my new health regime.
Take care
Anne x
Posted by: Anne Headen | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Good for you, Tracy. I know the self-discipline would do all of us much good. I wish you well in your journey.
Posted by: Beverly | January 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Hello Tracy, Happy new year to you and your hubby! As usual I'm late catching up with all of your posts ... Sorry to hear you've been poorly again, hope you're over the worst of it all. Your trip at christmas sounds like it was wonderful, so good for you to be able to see your family again. Happy belated birthday too. I love Pride and Prejudice (I expect you know that already!), and I'm guessing you're enjoying the read.
Looking at those photos of you doing yoga is making me feel very slothful ...
Wishing you a wonderful, magical, healthy and happy year
Kimx
Posted by: kim | January 07, 2009 at 10:33 PM
boy, do I owe you an email! LOL
Love seeing this post, and refreshing myself with the last one. I am so pleased you shared this with everyone. Yoga is just the best thing a person can do, stretching, strength training, felxibility, range of movement...
Happy New year tracy!!
Posted by: sara | January 07, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Hi Tracy,
This is such a lovely and inspirational post. I too, hope to bring balance to my life, which is missing at the moment.
Marie x
Posted by: marie | January 07, 2009 at 10:33 PM