Saturday Morning Ramblings:

The sunrise was amazing – I no longer sleep in like a teenager, instead I get up, meditate and watch the sunrise.  Pinks and purples on snow-capped mountains.  I know I should have taken a picture to share with you, but I was too caught up in the moment.

Speaking of being caught in the moment, here is a video that should blow your mind.  Balance, Strength Endurance – is this yoga, ballet, dance, or meditation?  Whatever, you want to call it, it took my breath away.  I love Cirque du Soleil.

It has been a busy week for this blogger.  I have found blogging to be like yoga and meditation and practicing piano.  I have to set aside time to do it every day.  Otherwise, I won’t get to it.  It is not that I don’t like doing any of these things, I love doing them all, but they each take careful attention, quiet space, effort and energy.  And I am a perfectionist, so sometimes it is easier to put something off, than take the chance of just not getting it right. Oh there is a whole blog in that last statement. I won’t go into it now, but I’ll give you a hint – how do I let go of that inner judge and just flow in the present moment?  How can I do this in all aspects of my life and not just on the mat?

My son turned 18 this week.  Hard to believe that he can be that old.  And here is something I especially appreciate about him.  He loves being a child.  Not in a childish, whiny, self-indulgent, needy 2-year-old way, but in the love of the moment way.  He likes to play, read, and hang out with us.  He really enjoys each moment, and is not afraid to be silly or sad, quiet or loud, intellectual or goofy.  He is not afraid to be himself.  I wish I was that clear when I was his age.

Gyrokenesis: Here is something new to try.  Developed by a former ballet dancer, gyrokinesis, is a gentle flowing of the body, and lubricating of the spine and joints. After the hour-long session I felt warm, energized, and calm.   “Gyrotonic incorporates three-dimensional circular motion to promote coordinated and efficient movement throughout the body while simultaneously strengthening the muscular attachments and ligamentous tissue.”
The Gryotonic Movement Center in Wallingford is a good place to go check it out – from a yoga perspective, it felt very much like getting in touch with the Kundalini, and if you haven’t done that yet, you should.

Holiday Cheer:  I do love this season.  Well, actually, I don’t like being cold, but I do love the lights, the spirit, the parties and the food.  Speaking of food, you must check out this website.  I plan on making everything in their most recent post.  Another thing I love about this season is the Nutcracker.  Probably because I have two children who are ballet dancers, but also because I really like the music.  Try plugging this in while you do your holiday baking and see if it doesn’t put a bounce in your step.

Holiday Giving:  Another thing I like about this season is the giving of gifts.  There really is something special about finding just the right gift for your brother/sister/husband/wife/best friend, etc.  But sometimes it can be a challenge to find just the right thing.  In this time of extreme abundance and poverty, we don’t want to be cluttering our friends and families’ home with just more stuff.  So, I share with you my go-to, living-in-balance and doing-a-mitzvah gift of the season: Nothing But Nets.  These guys have figured out a way to save lives, fight malaria, and work together with local NGOs and communities in the Horn of Africa to stop the spread of malaria.  A $10.00 donation could save five young lives and that is a big deal.

Okay, I am off to go gather cedar boughs for the home, string up some twinkling lights and watch my children create magic on stage in the Nutcracker.

Have a great week.  Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi