Tuesday, April 17, 2012

It's all about attitude isn't it?

Phyllis is her name and she has no idea I am writing about her, well soon she will because I am about to send this to her. I know she hear this all the time but I don't think she can ever hear it to much what  an inspiration she is to me and to so many people she come across. So who is she?
Well, a few years ago she stepped into my Yoga class I use to teach on Saturday mornings and she showed up every week for a long time. She was always early, which I love because I can never be late myself. The very  first thing she did was getting into a headstand. So what is so special about her?
Well, she is 88 years old but she looks and acts as if she is in her sixties, or if I compare her to some people, even fifties.
She began practicing  Yoga when she was 84, going to say it again, she began practicing when she was 84!!!
WOW, what more do I need to say?
She always told me that age has never stopped her doing what she wants to do and I can only wish I will have this attitude when I turn 80.  At age 84 she also began dancing Tango and is now performing with her 76 year old partner on the weekends. 
We become our thoughts, we hear this over and over and I know it sounds cliche however it is true. Whatever we believe is what we will create. Would I like to be able to do a headstand when I am 88? Heck yea!!!
But more then anything I would love to be able to look back on my life and feel I did most of the things I wanted to do and I did my best with what I was given
So to age well? I believe taking care of the body is essential, Yoga is something ANYONE can do at any age! And the benefit is not only for the  body but also the mind. 
So next time you THINK you are to old to do something you would like to do, see how you FEEL rather then focus on the number. Phyllis, I love you and adore you, thank you for the gift of proving that with a good attitude you can reach the stars!!!

With love

Camilla



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Eighteen rules for living



At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama issued eighteen rules for living.

    1.Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs: 1. Respect for self 2. Respect for others 3. Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.


"I have red these so many times and it's interesting how each time I end up feeling drawn to a different rule, number 4 to me hit a nerve for some reason today....you?"
with love


camilla

Monday, April 2, 2012

Good Morning life!!!



We live in a time where stress is a part of our everyday life, as a matter of fact we are so used to living in some kind of stress that it becomes our story. Even if we are not stressed one day we find something to stir it up and BANG,  we go from feeling good to stress ourselves out because that is all we know how to live.

I catch myself all the time with this and mainly when this happens is when I don't start my daily routine with meditation. Think about how the day will be if you jump out of bed, running around crazy, planning the day, drinking coffee to wake up and letting the day begin with having the thoughts already taking over, doubt, stress, never feeling there is enough time, worrying about stuff you have no control over, etc etc etc....... You are setting the tone for how you're day will look and I promise you by the end of the day you are so exhausted you crash into bed and barely remember what you did through out the day. Oh how much we miss out on the simple beauty when we get caught in this rat chase!!

SO, instead of being paralyzed with fear of "doing nothing" which is what a lot people feel when they think about meditation and there is NO WAY they can find time just sitting..... Trust me, I go trough phases when I battle an internal war about this.
But we all have 2 min to roll out of bed sit down and just breath and find our center......2 min!!
Then, when you get use to that, you go to 5, then 10, maybe even 20min.....hah!!

Try it, brake you're habit, see if you feel any different, see if you're day, you're story, you're thoughts will be calmer, more positive and clearer. The way you process information trough out the day will change if you begin the day with clarity. Negative phone calls, emails, interactions with people will have a complete different outcome.
Below are some simple tips I use, I know you have all seen them before but it's always nice to get reminded. 

                             ~DAILY MOTIVATIONS~

MEDITATE: Preferably sit for meditation for 5-10min, connect to breath.  Bring your self fully to the present. Let go of anything unnecessary. Notice any doubt, worry or stress, this is the mind being in the future. In this moment bring your breath down to belly and remind your self of the good stuff. 


BREATH: count each inhale to 8, hold count 8, then exhale out without counting.  Repeat twice, and then go up to 10. 


 MANTRA: some days we feel might might need something, ask for it! Repeat a word over and over you feel you want to receive: peace, courage, strength, love, health, clarity...etc.....       


 ATTITUDE:  it is always good to look at ourselves from outside in, would you want to  hang out with you?  


JOURNALeach day write down all that you have accomplished, write down all that you are grateful for. Look at you’re day and evaluate the good and the challenges. Look at what you can do different.


 PLAY: when was the last time you had fun? I mean, REALLY FUN!  Do something EVERY day that you love, something that makes you’re spirit giggle.    

YOGA:  3 sun salutations, practice 15-60 min every day, stretches, abdominal work.        


HEARTBEAT:  get you’re heart beat up every day, go for a walk minimum 20min.       


BRAIN:  Stimulate it!!  Avoid to much TV, take  class and learn something knew, read; find books that inspires you, gives you daily affirmations etc.....      


PEOPLE:  surround yourself with people that inspire you and lift you up.  Notice how you’re body reacts to the different energy people will send off.    


BODY:  treat you’re body as if it is you’re child or someone you really love. You would only want the best for this person; you would never do any harm to the people you love.    


FOOD:  food has energy, we call this PRANA. Choose to eat as much organic as possible, processed food and frozen food has no energy, and less nutrience. We want to eat food that is fresh and makes us feel good. Eat less with every meal but eat regularly. We actually don't need to eat as much food as we think we do. Never go more then 4 hours without food, this will mess up the metabolism. Look out for sodium, trans fat, saturated fat and any kind of processed food. Eat breakfast and avoid eating a big meal after 7pm. I highly recommend green tea rather then coffee. 

Remember these are suggested guideline to follow every day. It might seem overwhelming but they really a very simple and can become a part of you’re daily routine. 

It generally takes about 40 days to brake a pattern so in the beginning you have really want to make a commitment. Sometimes it’s good to ask ourselves “how bad do I want it” in this case, make a change in our life. :-)


"Live each day as fully as you can, love, respect and accept you’re self. Life is the greatest gift we have…..enjoy it"!!!!!

LOVE&LOVE

camilla