This is a meditation technique I've been working with, I am sure there are other yogis who have come up with the same...
The past week and a half have been kinda crazy energetically-has anyone else felt the same? I've felt strong currents of highs and lows shifting all around and have a hard time not being affected by my surrounding energy (I am, after all, a Libra). Especially with school starting and my funky muscle (Is it a hamstring? My ilipsoas?) problem, I sometimes find myself short of breath.
It started as a reflex, when I start to feel overwhelmed I press my right hand against my chest and take deep, distinct breaths to calm down. There is something so soothing about feeling my heartbeat with my hands as I breathe deeply; it reminds me that I am alive and okay no matter what circumstance (large or small) arise.
Recently, I have been playing with adding visualization with my breathing/heart grabbing. As I take each breath, pausing in between each one to feel my heartbeat, I visualize my heart and the life it is constantly giving me- the blood pumping throughout my body, the oxygen riding on that blood giving new life with each breath. With each breath, I imagine my heart becoming increasingly lighter and freer. I breathe in new life; I exhale that which no longer serves me.
Whether or not you practice this meditation on the heart, know that with each exhale you make room for the new life that comes with each inhale.
Remember to breathe. Remember your infinitely powerful, kind heart. Remember to share your heart with the world, one breath at a time.
In light and love, Ainsley
About Me
- Ainsley
- Hot flow at the Glowing Body MWF 11:45-1:15 Monday night 7:45-9:15 p.m.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Open to grace
It's funny how life works out. Just when you think you can see the road for miles, it veers off in another direction that ends up being richer and more fulfilling than any perceived path.
In my personal practice as well as my classes, I have been drawing from Anusara yoga. Both consciously and subconsciously, I have been captivated by the beauty of heart openers and the passionate expression of asanas (poses) in an Anusara practice. Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara yoga combines Tantric philosophy with Universal Principles of Alignment. It is a "celebration of the heart". For me, it is this celebration which allows me to express the infinite joy and inner strength I feel in yoga. For me, yoga is the light switch that channels my inner "electric current" and turns on my lightbulb heart to shine forth off my mat and in the world. Heart openers always have a "TA DA!" feel to them as my heart (energetically) hovers above my chest like a beacon. (Did I mention I LOVE heart openers?!)
One of the principles of Anusara yoga is to "open to grace". Talking with an Anusara yogi, it finally clicked. I was feverishly chasing this oppenness to grace found through the celebration of the heart. It is amazing the difference between openness and resistance. So many times in my life, because I am often able to, I push myself far beyond my limits to what I perceive is the "right thing". Physically, mentally and emotionally, I catch myself using my high energy level to proceed down my path in a forced march rather than with an open heart/mind. The funny thing is, no matter how much I want to, I never have the final say. There is something much larger than I at work and the beauty of life is to open to grace and to see its presence every day.
Take a step back, a deep breath in and gaze in wonder at the path that has already unfolded before you. Open to grace, and smile! Life is wonderful, just like you.
In light and love, Ainsley
In my personal practice as well as my classes, I have been drawing from Anusara yoga. Both consciously and subconsciously, I have been captivated by the beauty of heart openers and the passionate expression of asanas (poses) in an Anusara practice. Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara yoga combines Tantric philosophy with Universal Principles of Alignment. It is a "celebration of the heart". For me, it is this celebration which allows me to express the infinite joy and inner strength I feel in yoga. For me, yoga is the light switch that channels my inner "electric current" and turns on my lightbulb heart to shine forth off my mat and in the world. Heart openers always have a "TA DA!" feel to them as my heart (energetically) hovers above my chest like a beacon. (Did I mention I LOVE heart openers?!)
One of the principles of Anusara yoga is to "open to grace". Talking with an Anusara yogi, it finally clicked. I was feverishly chasing this oppenness to grace found through the celebration of the heart. It is amazing the difference between openness and resistance. So many times in my life, because I am often able to, I push myself far beyond my limits to what I perceive is the "right thing". Physically, mentally and emotionally, I catch myself using my high energy level to proceed down my path in a forced march rather than with an open heart/mind. The funny thing is, no matter how much I want to, I never have the final say. There is something much larger than I at work and the beauty of life is to open to grace and to see its presence every day.
Take a step back, a deep breath in and gaze in wonder at the path that has already unfolded before you. Open to grace, and smile! Life is wonderful, just like you.
In light and love, Ainsley
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Reverse Bucket List
Hello again!
You know the concept of a bucket list, right? Write a list of things you want to accomplish before you die... well how about the "reverse bucket list"? Not too long ago I was introduced to this version of a bucket list by a woman who has accomplished so much and has such a great lease on life (Mrs. Becky, you're amazing!). She said that she made a bucket list of what she was thankful that she has already done. What a great idea!
Often times it is easy to keep setting goals or reaching for new and to forget to look back at all the wonderful things life has already given us. It's important to always be reaching for that next star, but remember to take a look back every now and then to see the amazing constellation your life has already made!
There is so much in this life to be thankful for it's unreal!
This weekend, I am especially thankful for my oldest and dearest friends as well as the good friends that have come my way. What are you thankful for?
In light and love, Ainsley
You know the concept of a bucket list, right? Write a list of things you want to accomplish before you die... well how about the "reverse bucket list"? Not too long ago I was introduced to this version of a bucket list by a woman who has accomplished so much and has such a great lease on life (Mrs. Becky, you're amazing!). She said that she made a bucket list of what she was thankful that she has already done. What a great idea!
Often times it is easy to keep setting goals or reaching for new and to forget to look back at all the wonderful things life has already given us. It's important to always be reaching for that next star, but remember to take a look back every now and then to see the amazing constellation your life has already made!
There is so much in this life to be thankful for it's unreal!
This weekend, I am especially thankful for my oldest and dearest friends as well as the good friends that have come my way. What are you thankful for?
In light and love, Ainsley
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Updated class schedule
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Here is my current teaching schedule for the rest of August.. I added 2 new classes that I am very excited about!
Mondays: Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m ; 7:45-9:15 p.m.
Wednesdays: Rise & Shine (vinyasa) yoga @ The Practice 6:00-7:15 a.m. ; Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45-1:15
Fridays: Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45-1:15
Sundays: Hot Yoga @ The Practice
See you there!
In light and love, Ainsley
Here is my current teaching schedule for the rest of August.. I added 2 new classes that I am very excited about!
Mondays: Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m ; 7:45-9:15 p.m.
Wednesdays: Rise & Shine (vinyasa) yoga @ The Practice 6:00-7:15 a.m. ; Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45-1:15
Fridays: Hot Flow @ The Glowing Body 11:45-1:15
Sundays: Hot Yoga @ The Practice
See you there!
In light and love, Ainsley
Monday, August 15, 2011
Intention
With the end of summer and (for many) the beginning of a new school/work year approaching, I thought it appropriate to blog about intention. For me, this time of year always has a New Year's feel to it because of the start of another chapter in my life. There is an abundance of new: new classes, new surroundings, new schedule, new (or more evolved) outlook...etc. All these facets to life give cause for setting a new intention to assimilate the new.
In yoga, we see the power of intention shine through our practice by setting an intention at the beginning of class and honoring it throughout. For example, my intention for the last class I took was to listen. In yoga class as well as in life, I often find myself moving too quickly from one thing to the next too quick because I either know (or think I know) what the teacher is going to say or what is going to happen next; turning off my ears and missing the beauty in listening. Before class started, I looked at myself in the mirror and said "For the next 90 minutes, I am listening to the instructor and following along". Instead of approaching the intention with "wiggle room" (i.e. "I am going to try and listen"), setting an intention by stating that you are already honoring your intention sets you up for success. (And who doesn't love instant gratification?!)
Take some time and reflect on what your goals are and what steps are necessary in order to accomplish them. From there, your intention is easy! Write, blog :), journal or talk about it as if it is a plan already set in action...because it is!
My intention is to appreciate and truly live each moment. What is yours?
In light and love, Ainsley
In yoga, we see the power of intention shine through our practice by setting an intention at the beginning of class and honoring it throughout. For example, my intention for the last class I took was to listen. In yoga class as well as in life, I often find myself moving too quickly from one thing to the next too quick because I either know (or think I know) what the teacher is going to say or what is going to happen next; turning off my ears and missing the beauty in listening. Before class started, I looked at myself in the mirror and said "For the next 90 minutes, I am listening to the instructor and following along". Instead of approaching the intention with "wiggle room" (i.e. "I am going to try and listen"), setting an intention by stating that you are already honoring your intention sets you up for success. (And who doesn't love instant gratification?!)
Take some time and reflect on what your goals are and what steps are necessary in order to accomplish them. From there, your intention is easy! Write, blog :), journal or talk about it as if it is a plan already set in action...because it is!
My intention is to appreciate and truly live each moment. What is yours?
In light and love, Ainsley
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Come Practice at The Practice!
I am so happy to announce the Knoxville yoga community is expanding even further with a new yoga studio opening this Friday!! Jai Krishna!!
The Practice Yoga studio is a place where you can continue to deepen your practice through a variety of hatha yoga classes including restorative, vinyasa, hot power, hot flow (my class!) and balancing flow yoga. I am excited to work with some of the most talented, insightful and inspirational yogis I know and cannot wait to see how my practice evolves.
This Friday, August 12th, The Practice Studio opening weekend starts off with a FREE yoga class from 4:30-5:30 p.m. followed by a Lululemon trunk show from 5:30-7:30 p.m. No better way to start off the weekend!
This Saturday, August 13th, The Practice Studio and its sister business, Keyfit Sports and Fitness Training is offering a FREE Bootcamp at 9:30 a.m.
And now for the shameless plug... This Sunday 5:30-7:00 p.m. I teach hot flow at The Practice Studio and would love to see you there!
In light and love, Ainsley
The Practice Yoga studio is a place where you can continue to deepen your practice through a variety of hatha yoga classes including restorative, vinyasa, hot power, hot flow (my class!) and balancing flow yoga. I am excited to work with some of the most talented, insightful and inspirational yogis I know and cannot wait to see how my practice evolves.
This Friday, August 12th, The Practice Studio opening weekend starts off with a FREE yoga class from 4:30-5:30 p.m. followed by a Lululemon trunk show from 5:30-7:30 p.m. No better way to start off the weekend!
This Saturday, August 13th, The Practice Studio and its sister business, Keyfit Sports and Fitness Training is offering a FREE Bootcamp at 9:30 a.m.
And now for the shameless plug... This Sunday 5:30-7:00 p.m. I teach hot flow at The Practice Studio and would love to see you there!
In light and love, Ainsley
Monday, August 8, 2011
Moksha
Namaste bloggers!
The past two days I have felt my Self in an energetic chokehold of sorts, unable to pinpoint both the source of my perceived restraints and exactly what undigested energy needed to be addressed. Being a libra, it is in my nature to adapt to the present circumstances and go from there. So naturally, being unsure of how I need to adapt or approach a situation leaves me 99% of the time overanalyzing and in an inertia of sorts. Unfortunately for me, most times the universe does not cater to me and I am left with uncertainty for longer than I would like (wouldn't that be cool if it did!). It is during these times of uncertainty where I feel infinite gratitude for yoga.
Yoga is my release, my "moksha", from all the "mind-stuff" (Sutra I.II). Whenever I am feeling cast adrift or in a chokehold, I step onto my mat. Most times I just sit there, thinking of where to go from there, stuck in the same restraints. It is that action to breath, come into table, or just start with suryanamaskara A until I can tap into my inner teacher and move forward. Those practices are always the most beneficial because I am forced to leave my thoughts, ego and distractions behind and in some form or another move forward. My mat is my magic carpet that takes me away from what I don't need and brings me to my destination, wherever/whatever that might me. Yoga is my magic carpet!
Today's apex pose was camel, a heart and chest opener to release any guarded energy. Practicing and teaching today gave me that much needed release and although I am still uncertain about how to adapt to particular life situations, I am reminded to let go of the expectations of myself and others and allow my light to shine and my inner peace to remain constant.
Say this outloud (don't be shy!): I AM INFINITE! I AM LIGHT! I AM PEACE!
Now give yourself a hug! You are wonderful.
In light and love, Ainsley
The past two days I have felt my Self in an energetic chokehold of sorts, unable to pinpoint both the source of my perceived restraints and exactly what undigested energy needed to be addressed. Being a libra, it is in my nature to adapt to the present circumstances and go from there. So naturally, being unsure of how I need to adapt or approach a situation leaves me 99% of the time overanalyzing and in an inertia of sorts. Unfortunately for me, most times the universe does not cater to me and I am left with uncertainty for longer than I would like (wouldn't that be cool if it did!). It is during these times of uncertainty where I feel infinite gratitude for yoga.
Yoga is my release, my "moksha", from all the "mind-stuff" (Sutra I.II). Whenever I am feeling cast adrift or in a chokehold, I step onto my mat. Most times I just sit there, thinking of where to go from there, stuck in the same restraints. It is that action to breath, come into table, or just start with suryanamaskara A until I can tap into my inner teacher and move forward. Those practices are always the most beneficial because I am forced to leave my thoughts, ego and distractions behind and in some form or another move forward. My mat is my magic carpet that takes me away from what I don't need and brings me to my destination, wherever/whatever that might me. Yoga is my magic carpet!
Today's apex pose was camel, a heart and chest opener to release any guarded energy. Practicing and teaching today gave me that much needed release and although I am still uncertain about how to adapt to particular life situations, I am reminded to let go of the expectations of myself and others and allow my light to shine and my inner peace to remain constant.
Say this outloud (don't be shy!): I AM INFINITE! I AM LIGHT! I AM PEACE!
Now give yourself a hug! You are wonderful.
In light and love, Ainsley
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Kombucha: The Wonder Drink!
Feeling anything less than your best? Reach for kombucha tea and feel healed from the inside out!
Kombucha is a fermented mushroom tea whose origins date back to the Chinese Tsin dynasty in 212 B.C. It is said that wise men would descend from atop the Himalayas to harvest kombucha in the valleys below. The formula was passed down through many generations to create a fermented tea that served as an effervescent elixir. Kombucha was referred to as the "Remedy for Immortality" or the "Tea of Immortality", and with good reason! Through trade routes the tea spread to India and Russia as well as Japan between WWI and WWII to share the drink responsible for their longevity, health and well-being around 415 A.D.
Nowadays, you don't have to hike over to the Himalayas to taste the nectar of the gods (or what I believe it to be, anyways...). You can find a kombucha at most health food stores and now in some supermarkets, including Earth Fare, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Green Life (Asheville), select Kroger stores and the Glowing Body in Knoxville (shameless plug!). Nothing starts my day like a sip from this bubbly, scrumptious tea!
I could write a love poem about this stuff! In fact, I think I just might...
"SONNET XLIV, FROM THE CHINESE" (For all the other poetry nerds out there, yes I am drawing from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet XLIII, From the Portuguese", one of my favorite poems!)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways (or list the benefits)
Cheers to your health :)
In light and love, Ainsley
Kombucha is a fermented mushroom tea whose origins date back to the Chinese Tsin dynasty in 212 B.C. It is said that wise men would descend from atop the Himalayas to harvest kombucha in the valleys below. The formula was passed down through many generations to create a fermented tea that served as an effervescent elixir. Kombucha was referred to as the "Remedy for Immortality" or the "Tea of Immortality", and with good reason! Through trade routes the tea spread to India and Russia as well as Japan between WWI and WWII to share the drink responsible for their longevity, health and well-being around 415 A.D.
Nowadays, you don't have to hike over to the Himalayas to taste the nectar of the gods (or what I believe it to be, anyways...). You can find a kombucha at most health food stores and now in some supermarkets, including Earth Fare, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Green Life (Asheville), select Kroger stores and the Glowing Body in Knoxville (shameless plug!). Nothing starts my day like a sip from this bubbly, scrumptious tea!
I could write a love poem about this stuff! In fact, I think I just might...
"SONNET XLIV, FROM THE CHINESE" (For all the other poetry nerds out there, yes I am drawing from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet XLIII, From the Portuguese", one of my favorite poems!)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways (or list the benefits)
- detoxifying, promoting healthy livers and preventing cancer (not yet proven by FDA)
- contains glucosamines, which help prevent or treat arthritis
- probiotics improve digestion
- rich in antioxidants
- noted for reducing or eliminating the symptoms or fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression
Cheers to your health :)
In light and love, Ainsley
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Breathe and Allow
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
After taking a quite respite with my sister in Asheville, I am back and blogging!
Sunday I took another Bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga Asheville. Throughout the class, two words that continued to echo in my mind long after the class finished were "breathe" and "allow". "Breathe" is a common word heard in almost all yoga classes; however, "allow" is not so common. The two words were brought together by the teacher's emphasis on finding our edge in each asana and then to breathe and allow. Allow for stillness to find us, change to happen and growth as a person. Like everything in yoga class, this lesson can be easily taken off the mat and applied to our daily lives.
In our day-to-day busy lives, reminding ourselves to allow is equally important as reminding ourselves to breathe. Sometimes we are unaware of how much we are holding on to that no longer benefits us, preventing us from allowing new growth to take place. We may also fear the newness or uncertainty change brings with it. As you go throughout your day, remind yourself to breathe and allow. Open your heart and mind to the possibility of letting go of what is no longer needed and allowing room for growth and change. Breathe and allow.
In light and love, Ainsley
After taking a quite respite with my sister in Asheville, I am back and blogging!
Sunday I took another Bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga Asheville. Throughout the class, two words that continued to echo in my mind long after the class finished were "breathe" and "allow". "Breathe" is a common word heard in almost all yoga classes; however, "allow" is not so common. The two words were brought together by the teacher's emphasis on finding our edge in each asana and then to breathe and allow. Allow for stillness to find us, change to happen and growth as a person. Like everything in yoga class, this lesson can be easily taken off the mat and applied to our daily lives.
In our day-to-day busy lives, reminding ourselves to allow is equally important as reminding ourselves to breathe. Sometimes we are unaware of how much we are holding on to that no longer benefits us, preventing us from allowing new growth to take place. We may also fear the newness or uncertainty change brings with it. As you go throughout your day, remind yourself to breathe and allow. Open your heart and mind to the possibility of letting go of what is no longer needed and allowing room for growth and change. Breathe and allow.
In light and love, Ainsley
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