are you happy?

Are you happy?  This is the question posed by Gretchen Rubin in her book The Happiness Project.  Or more specifically: could you be happier?

I devoured this book in a couple of days, not becuase the writing was so good (it was okay), but because I've become obssessed with the idea of being happier.

A couple of months ago during yoga, as the class winded down into savasana the instructor said to bring someone to mind that could use a little extra love.  And you know who came to mind: me.  Like a five year old version of me.  I started crying.  Luckily the class was online through www.myyogaonline.com and I was in the comfort of my own home enjoying a very nice pants off morning.  Nothing like a good cry in your undies.

This got me thinking: a) I need more friends, b) I need to start taking better care of myself, c) I love what yoga can do

This book came to me - recommended by a student of mine- at exactly the right time.  I was breaking down.

"When the student is ready the teacher will come".  This is a buddhist proverb that Rubin talks about in her book.  This book, this idea of a happiness project has become my teacher.

This is how my happiness project is going to work.  Or as I like to call it "the no shit experiment"  As in; eating healthy will make you happier.  Uh, no shit.  Or, taking better care of your finances will make you happier.  Uh, no shit.  Or, cherrishing and having more sex with your partner will make you happier.  Uh,  not shit.  Etc, etc...

Each month will have a theme, and then within that theme there will be resolutions to help me to stay on track.

This month is all about Energy.

My resolutions, and these are daily, are to:
Eat three servings of veg/day
Have a green smoothie
Listen to music while getting ready
Do yoga
Get outside for a walk
In bed by 10pm (M-F)
Out of bed by 7:30am (M-F)
Floss

She suggests making a resoluting chart to help to keep you on track and to have a constant reminder of what your resolutions are for the month.

Mine looks like this:

But for those of you who are artsy or have any sort of computer skills it may look a little different.

So, who's up for this 'no shit experiment'?  In the words of Jerry Maguire..."who's comin' with me"?  repeatedly.

Happiness project or not here's a great way to have some fun.

Put on your favourite album, leave your yoga mat in the corner and just start to move.  See what comes up.  The freedom that comes from moving outside the confines of your mat brings up some exciting new sequences/dance moves. 

In my mind I look something like this:

I probably look something like this:

Hopefully it's somewhere in between.  Album of choice for me:  Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine!

Amazing!!!!!

Cheers to happiness!

ps.... my homeboy is doing it too!!

pps...pass it on to anyone you think could use a little extra happiness  http://happiness-project.com/

namaste yo

The other day, one of the girls in class asked me what 'namaste' means and why we say it.  I gave her a very coles notes version of my understanding behind the word and the gesture:

"namaste, I bow to the divine light within you and you bow to the divine light within me." 

She seemed satisfied with this, and so did I.

Later in the day while searchin' the 'net I came across something by someone, somewhere out there which takes my half-assed explanation a little further.

I love this. 

Then, just now, while searching for a pic for this post, I came across this interpretation.

And according to wikipedia.... my source for everything.
namah = bow
te = to you
Namaste ~ I bow to you

Namaste as a gesture is used to greet one another.  It is a gesture of respect that can be used globally between people of all age, race and gender.  Totally encompassing the belief that 'we are one'.  Hands together at heart centre "represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra" (wiki).

Namaste.  What does it mean to you????

side note: what did we do before the internet????

shake the dust

I cannot get enough of this poem.  It was posted on Elephant Journal a while back and I loved it but then forgot about it.  I was lucky enough to stumble upon it again last week.

Enjoy :)

if you aren't already drinking nettles you should be

Two weeks ago I went to 'ritual' at my holistic healers house.  As she poured our tea - an herbal concoction of her own - she said "If you aren't already drinking nettles you should be." 

We went through a guided meditation, lighting up our chakras along the way.  We spoke to our great mother of intuitions.  She spoke back.  At times it was powerful, at times unnerving, but I learned that if I asked, and had the patience to listen, she would answer.  I hadn't spoke to her in a while and I think she was glad that I called.  We were all assured that even when we're not in constant communion with her, she is always there. 

After this magical night, the thing that has sat with me the most is "If you're not already drinking nettles, you should be." 

Four days later my homeboy fell ill.  Tylenol, halls, sleep, bitch, repeat.  One week later and he's still sick, and now a little miserable at having missed two summer weekends.  I take action.  Off I go, a superhero of sorts, to the bulk food store to save the day.

me: "Excuse me, my homeboy has fallen ill.  Can you recommend some herbs I can brew up to help him feel better.  I hear nettles are a good place to start".

crotchety cashier:  Blank stare.  "There's a whole section of teas over there, grab one that says 'good for colds'".

me:  Ignore answer. Off to the herb section.

I start racking my brain trying to remember all I've read in the past about herbal immunity boosters.  I start with the nettles, a couple of scoops.  I saw someone write about bee pollen the other day, in the bag it goes.  Raspberry Leaf, yup that sounds good.  Hibiscus, I always see hibiscus in tea, bag it up.  Peppermint, my gramma loves peppermint tea and she's old and wise, in goes the peppermint.

I'm walking to the cashier, when a lovely maiden/eavesdropper says " I overheard you asking about some healing herbs for you homeboy.  May I suggest fenugreek.  It's a blood cleaner and great for phlegm and mucus.  It's not in the herb section it's over there by the spices.  God Speed, super healer".

On my way up to the register I grab some fenugreek.  I now have the perfect concoction.

Here's how it goes:

~ put on a pot of water and bring it to a boil
~ add in the herbs, about half a teaspoon of each into 3 cups of water
~ simmer concoction for 10 minutes, then strain into cups.  Toss leftovers in the fridge for some super healing on ice.

Drink, if you make a funny face, add some honey.

Healing Herbs for Happy Hommies

Nettles: anti-inflammatory (helping symptoms of arthritis), anti-asthmatic (helping clear bronchial and nasal passages), contains natural anti-histamines (great for helping with hay fever and allergies), assists body in detoxification of chemicals and heavy metals

Bee Pollen:  helps to: lower blood pressure, treat chronic fatigue, even out hormonal imbalances, reduce inflammation from arthritis, lower stress levels, improve immune function, fight allergies, aid in weight control

Raspberry Leaf:  can be ued to treat: sore throat, oral cavity irritation and gum disease, skin irritation and acne, diarrhea and inflammtion of the intestine, flu, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, fever and rubella

Hibiscus: good for: fevers and hotflashes, vitamin C and antioxidants, dandruff, acne, high blood pressure, weight loss, high cholesterol and heart disease

Peppermint:  heals: colds and flu, skin irritation, bad breath, headaches, digestion

Fenugreek:  used to: balance cholesterol, treat diabetes and lower blood sugar levels, ease skin infammation, ease heartburn and acid reflux, help with fever, cleanse blood

Cheers!!!