Health and Wellness – NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

February 19, 2021

The Hidden Virtues of Houseplants

Houseplants bring the beauty and tranquility of nature into our homes and turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary! But houseplants not only beautify our homes, they also promote health and well-being.

Plant Filled Bathroom – Photo by apartmenttherapy.com on Pinterest

With many of us now housebound either due to the pandemic or winter weather, we want our homes to be healthy havens and that includes the quality of the air we breathe. Unfortunately, hidden volatile organic compounds or VOC’s are emitted as odorless gases from many common household products such as carpeting, paint, vinyl flooring, upholstery and even air fresheners!

Houseplants Enjoying the Sun – Photo by Nancy Marie Allen

The good news is that studies by NASA have shown that houseplants improve indoor air quality by increasing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide and removing common VOC pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Some familiar plants known for their exceptional ability to clean the air include Florist’s Chrysanthemum, Peace Lily, Parlor Palm and Snake Plant.

Potted Lavender – Photo by Marisa04 on Pixabay

If you’re someone who tosses and turns at night, the sleep-inducing properties of Lavender are well-known as this plant has been used medicinally for centuries. Although usually found in sunny landscapes, there are some dwarf varieties that can be grown successfully indoors. Try a pot of Goodwin Creek Grey, Little Lottie or Munstead in a sunny bedroom window and enjoy a restful night’s sleep!

Fragrant Jasmine – Photo by Watsilchum on Pixabay

Some houseplants are known to be effective in easing anxiety and producing calm. Flowering Jasmine has a powerful yet soothing fragrance that can fill a room! Sambac Jasmines grow well indoors and can easily be kept pruned to a manageable size. Maid of Orleans and Grand Duke of Tuscany are two good choices for the home. If you’re not a fan of fragrance, the graceful fronds of Ferns or Palms add a feeling of serenity to any space.

Potted Mint – Photo by Ajaydev Singh on Pixabay

Plants are also known to be beneficial in the workplace, aiding concentration, memory and productivity. If you’re fortunate to have a sunny window or grow light in your office, try a pot of Mint or a Scented Geranium to refresh and stimulate your senses! If you’re limited to low or fluorescent lighting, plants like Heart-Leaf Philodendron, Spider Plant or Pothos make companionable co-workers.

For those recovering from an illness or surgery, the beauty of flowering houseplants will help you feel better by elevating your mood and speeding recovery. A group of plants will also help raise the humidity level, thus easing dry skin and symptoms of colds or flu. Some winter bloomers that will brighten any patient’s room include Orchids, African Violets, Anthuriums, Cyclamen and Kalanchoe.

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November 20, 2020November 20, 2020

The Importance of Daily Meditation in Today’s America

We Americans are living in a time of informational contradictions: Covid cases are improving but Covid cases are also on the rise. It’s OK to eat a meal in a restaurant without wearing a mask but one must wear a mask if out on a public street. Holiday get-togethers must be limited to but a few close family members yet it’s acceptable to travel on a crowded plane so that you can visit your family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The rules and restrictions surrounding the pandemic are constantly changing and often conflicting. Is it any wonder that confusion abounds in our daily lives?

Photo courtesy of Alexandra Koch on Pixabay

With winter approaching, most of us are pretty much confined to home and being indoors. While some are able to fill their days with work or hobbies, too many remain constantly tied to their televisions in an effort to keep up with all that’s happening. Because of this, we are a nation steeped in information overload and I believe this only adds to our confusion, anxiety and stress.

Photo courtesy of Mohamed Hassan on Pixabay

More than ever we must rely on our inner resources to help us navigate through this informational maze and it’s no easy task. As far as the pandemic is concerned, we must ultimately decide for ourselves what an acceptable risk is and where we must draw the line for our own safety. But our health is not limited to our physical bodies; we also have to think of our mental health during this time of increasing stress and anxiety.

Photo courtesy of Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” – Helen Keller

When the constant noise of the media gets to be too much, try turning off the television, the iPhone, and the computer for a period each day. Find a peaceful place in your home where you can sit quietly, hit your personal pause button and take a few deep breaths. It will cost you nothing but time, yet the benefits of this simple practice, performed on a regular basis, can be profound.

Photo courtesy of Satish Kumar Periyasamy on Pixabay

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray

Just try to focus on your breath and sit quietly with yourself for as long as you feel comfortable or, if you prefer, set a timer for 20 minutes. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat. Offer up a silent prayer if that helps to quiet your mind or mentally repeat a phrase that evokes positive feelings. You can also visualize a place or time in your life that brings you joy or comfort. The point is to allow yourself a peaceful respite from the worries of the day.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Balazs on Pixabay

“So what is a good meditator? The one who meditates.” – Allan Lokos

If sitting quietly isn’t your thing, find a peaceful place to be outdoors. Weather permitting, I love to take a 30 minute walk outside and commune with nature, taking in all the sights, smells and sounds. To me, walking in the fresh air and sunshine is the most restorative meditation of all!

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

If you find yourself suffering from increasing stress or anxiety related to our current national circumstances, you’re not alone! I hope you’ll give a simple meditation practice a try as a means to bring some peace and comfort back into your life. Although meditation won’t make your problems go away, it will help reinforce your inner strength to cope.

Until we get through these difficult times and come out on the other side, I wish you all the gift of good health!

Photo courtesy of Shahariar Lenin on Pixabay

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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March 13, 2020

Finding Solace in Uncertain Times

We are indeed living in uncertain times! The fear surrounding the spread of the coronavirus and the resulting fallout that has crippled the US stock market, banned foreign travel and closed businesses, schools and event venues have us all taking a closer look at the extreme fragility of our modern global culture. We are helplessly caught in the downward spiral of all that is happening around us while fretfully watching from the sidelines.

Photo courtesy of Manfred Richter on Pixabay

Although it may be hard to find something to cheer us, it’s in our best interest to do so. Here in Northeast Massachusetts, as well as other areas of New England, we’ve been blessed with warmer than usual temperatures coupled with a lack of snow or ice on the ground. This mild weather has allowed me to get out in my yard well before the usual springtime schedule and clean up my perennial beds. The first spring days spent outdoors are always something I look forward to but this year, in particular, being out in my gardens has truly soothed my soul.

While working outside this week on one of those warm and sunny days, I heard a little buzz and spied a honey bee enjoying some early-blooming snowdrops! The next day, a butterfly magically appeared, flexing its wings and opening them to the warmth of the early spring sun.

These tiny events, so easily overlooked when preoccupied with bad news, were my silver lining. They stopped me in my tracks and I watched them as long as I could, not wanting to let go, for they were both miraculous and healing at the same time.

When we immerse ourselves in the natural world, such as gardening or walking in the woods, we see life proceeding at its own slow and deliberate pace, oblivious to and in spite of the problems of mankind. Nature calms us in a way nothing else can and it’s especially important in trying times for us to seek its solace whenever we can.

Photo courtesy of Martin Slavoljubovski on Pixabay

Give yourself a break from the relentless bad news, and turn off the TV, computer and cell phone for a period each day. Take advantage of the mild weather and go for a walk or work in the yard. Even if all you do is sit quietly on your front porch and count your blessings, you will find some comfort and peace. Remember that staying healthy is much more than just washing your hands. Find the healing power in getting outside and enjoying nature!

May 10, 2019September 2, 2020

Simply Sitting on the Stoop

One of my favorite spring rituals is simply sitting on my front stoop while basking in the morning sunshine and immersing myself in the flowery world that surrounds my home.

My tiny front stoop is a quiet place for personal reflection (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

On fair days, I like to make a midmorning cup of tea and take it outside where I can sit and enjoy all the activity going on in the front yard. After easing myself into a comfortable position, what follows is a sort of garden meditation in my own personal Eden.

There are long expansive views of the garden to enjoy from where I sit (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

When I allow myself to just sit quietly and observe, it’s easy to become engrossed in the wonders of nature taking place just outside my front door. Each day brings something new as the garden constantly changes and shifts. Early spring bulbs die back as summer perennials quickly cover the vacant spaces. Old flowers fade while new ones begin to bloom. Whiffs of sweet fragrance drift by on a gentle breeze. Sleepy bees awaken, moving slowly in the cool temperatures of the morning as they seek out flowers. Busy chipmunks race through the tangle of plants and sometimes stop short right in front of me, always letting loose with a squeak of surprise! Birds flit from shrub to tree, cheering me with their exuberant spring song and reminding me of all that is joyful in life.

Abundant early May blooms include Bleeding Heart, Windflowers, and Daffodils (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

It’s hard to describe the delicious feeling that comes over me while immersing myself in this magical garden world but I always feel better for the experience. I find such peace here and feel so fortunate to have this special place to enjoy. It’s a blessing for which I offer up a silent prayer of thanks.

The colors of Bleeding Heart and Heuchera brighten the morning garden (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

At times I like to close my eyes and just listen while I soak up some morning sun; other times my eyes roam over all the different plants and marvel at their diversity and beauty. Sitting up close, I have even more appreciation for the garden, as everything seems larger and lusher than it does when I admire it from a standing viewpoint. And, with every moment spent here, my floral haven beckons me to witness some of life’s daily miracles.

Windflowers peak out from under some Lady’s Mantle (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Taking time each day for quiet reflection or meditation is something we should all try to do. In fact, it should be given the same importance as a good night’s sleep or a healthy diet. Although you can meditate just about anywhere, my personal preference during the warmer months is to go out into nature where the sights, sounds, and scents cheer my heart. I believe the beauty of nature is healing and cherish any time spent outdoors on a bright spring day!

Flowers surround my front stoop on either side (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

We all need some respite from the stresses of our busy world, a place where we can find comfort and quietude. Do you have a special place that brings you peace? Does being out in nature lift your spirits? Do you find time for reflection in your day? I love to hear from my readers so please feel free to share your experience in a comment here or on social media.

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April 9, 2019January 26, 2020

Common Sense Gardening

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything” – William Shakespeare

girl and puppy sitting on green grass surrounded with shrubs during daytime — Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

Spring requires a lot of energy! With all the outside work to be done over the next few weeks, I sometimes long for a little more “spirit of youth” in myself. On a fair day, it comes back to me in the form of unbounded enthusiasm for working in the yard. The April sun calls to me but once I’m outside working, reality sets in as my body reminds me of my age. Still, loving gardening as I do, the work goes on, albeit at a slower pace.

yellow flowering green plants — Photo by Hoang Le on Pexels.com

Sunday being sunny and mild, my husband and I planted two gallon-sized lilac shrubs in an area we can see from our kitchen. The heaviest work of digging the planting holes and removing rocks fell to my husband, while I did my share of pot hauling, back-filling with soil and watering in. This new garden is a work in progress, including a vegetable patch and perennials, into which we are slowly incorporating some shrubs to gradually blend everything in with the taller trees beyond. Although we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves working outside on this beautiful spring day and could have kept going, we chose to respect our age and wisely left other projects for another day. This is our “common sense” gardening approach and really our approach to everything these days – do what you can on a given day but don’t overdo it!

garden mulch farsai-chaikulngamdee-317437-unsplash — Photo by Farsai Chaikulngamdee on Unsplash.com

When I think about common sense gardening and working smarter, I’m reminded of that famous garden sage, Ruth Stout. Born in Kansas in 1884, Ruth moved to a country setting in New York State when she married at age 18. She knew nothing about gardening but instantly fell in love with the rural landscape which included apple trees and fragrant lilacs. After hiring someone with a plow to turn over the soil, she planted a vegetable patch, gardening the same way everyone else did at that time. One year in April when the man hadn’t arrived in time to plow, she decided that maybe there was an easier way to garden without turning over the soil at all.

Ruth’s revolutionary gardening method was to plant everything in layers of mulch with no digging needed. As the straw and hay mulch decomposed, the nutrients fed the plants, requiring no other fertilizer. Amazingly, everything that she planted grew with very little effort! Ruth wrote many popular books based on her “no work” method and gardened this way until her death in 1980 at 96 years old. Although I don’t use her layered garden technique, other than applying a yearly mulch, I will always have great respect for her common sense approach to gardening and life.

agriculture basket beets bokeh — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As we age, it’s hard for us to admit that we can’t do it all anymore. Over the last couple of years, we’ve enlisted the help of landscapers to mulch and edge our large perennial gardens since the sheer effort of accomplishing this task every spring has become daunting. Don’t get me wrong, we are very active Baby Boomers who do a lot of physical work maintaining our home and yard, and we don’t see that stopping anytime soon. We’re not lazy by any means; we’ve just learned the difference between what is easily accomplished on our own and what requires a little help. There’s no shame here, no guilt, and no aching back! Like Ruth Stout, we’ve found an easier way to make it all happen.

beautiful blooming blossom blossoming — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

They say that “slow and steady wins the race,” and I believe that’s really the key to healthy aging. I’ll do what I can, when I can, and be thankful for all I do accomplish. To me, no matter how long it takes, every day spent working in the garden is a gift!

January 20, 2019January 27, 2020

Snow Days

If you live in a northern clime where winter snow is a regular occurrence, then you already know the special joy of snow days.

adult blur close up cold — Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Pexels.com

For those not familiar with this phenomenon, snow days are the storm cancellation days when schools, churches, and many businesses make the choice to close for the day. For some, it’s an easy decision, such as schools closing to keep children out of harm’s way and school-related traffic off of roads. For others, such as businesses, it’s often a money-losing decision but one that has to be made, like it or not, when the weather gets serious out there and driving becomes downright dangerous.

photo of girl beside a huge snowman — Photo by Sarah Jane on Pexels.com

Of course, what people consider serious weather isn’t always the same. A snowstorm in Virginia, for instance, feels a lot more threatening than a storm in New Hampshire or Maine where people are used to dealing with heavy snowfall all winter. But, even in these seasoned States, many storms lead to cancellations until people can safely dig out and get driving again.

car road snow winter — Photo by Chris Peeters on Pexels.com

It’s really just plain old common sense to stay put and hunker down until a snow storm passes but it’s something more, too; it’s a feeling of sweet liberation! Snow days can bring us back to our childhoods when we listened for the “no school” whistle (yes, I’m that old!) or heard our town’s name announced over the radio; they can also bring that sense of relief and freedom from the responsibilities of the work-a-day world. A snow day is that rarest of days when you can chart your own course, albeit usually within the confines of home! Whatever that “snow day” feeling brings to us, I think we can all agree that it’s a fine thing to have an unexpected day off – no matter from what!

tim-gouw-457682-unsplash — Photo courtesy Tim Gouw – unsplash

I think this is particularly true in today’s fast-lane world. We’ve become so accustomed to constantly rushing through our weeks that a “snow day” is a welcomed respite. Since we don’t willingly give ourselves permission to take a day off for mental and physical health, it’s especially nice when that permission is given to us. Even in retirement, I still find these days to be particularly relaxing and freeing as I take renewed pleasure in just being home and doing whatever I like.

arranged table with chairs and plates near window — Photo by Ben Maxwell on Pexels.com

Today, while the snow continues to softly fall outside, maybe I’ll prepare some comfort food or re-pot a plant; maybe I’ll just sip a soothing cup of tea and browse seed catalogs. Whatever I do, I’ll be sure to enjoy this snow day as the precious gift it truly is!

January 14, 2019January 27, 2020

The Pleasures of Homemade Bread

One of my favorite pastimes during the coldest months is baking homemade bread. The heat of the oven warms the kitchen while the heavenly aroma warms my heart and brings back fond childhood memories. For me, making and enjoying fresh-baked bread is one of life’s sweetest pleasures!

bread with sliced green vegetable and meat on white and blue plate — Photo by Markus Spiske temporausch.com on Pexels.com

I grew up in a bread-baking family and received some serious early training. My Sicilian grandmother made bread almost every day to feed her large family. It was a necessity, yes, but a task that I believe she enjoyed; plus, all that slapping and kneading of dough was a great way to alleviate the stress of caring for so many children! My mother, too, baked her own bread in pretty much the same manner as her mother and grandmother did. It was an art passed down through many generations!

baguette bake bakery baking — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Sicilian-style bread I grew up with was a white bread that was lovingly kneaded until the dough felt soft as silk, then placed in a large bowl and coated with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Of course, the olive oil also added extra flavor! After rising, the dough was formed into long loaves or, as my mother came to prefer, sandwich-sized rolls which were then generously topped with toasted sesame seeds before rising again and baking.

bread with toppings and gray and green olives in bowl — Photo by Ceyhun Özden on Pexels.com

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this fresh bread was to cut it while still piping hot from the oven, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese, whatever my mother had on hand. The taste was heavenly and, served along with a green salad, made a quick and satisfying meal!

selective focus photo of cheese and grater on plate — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Being a busy retired gal, I like to keep my recipes simple while still trying to maintain a health-conscious diet. One recipe I love to make is Whole Wheat Bran Bread, a hearty white and wheat flour bread that is light in texture yet satisfying plus it slices easily for sandwiches. Here’s my own recipe which yields one loaf.

Begin by buttering a loaf pan and setting aside. Pre-warm a large bowl and then add:

1 1/4 cups warm water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon dry yeast

Gently whisk above to mix well. Cover bowl a with dish towel and place in a lukewarm (pre-warmed but turned off) oven to sit for approximately 10 minutes, then add:

1/2 cup wheat bran
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 to 2 cups white flour, added gradually

After adding in the white flour and when the dough has lost its stickiness, turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately five minutes, adding more white flour as needed. You should have a smooth and non-sticky dough that forms a ball. Place about a teaspoon of vegetable or olive oil in the bottom of the bowl, add the dough and swirl to coat it on all sides. Cover with the dish towel and allow to rise in a lukewarm oven until doubled in bulk, about one hour.

WW Bread Risen — Dough ready to be punched down (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Punch the dough down in the center to release any air bubbles, then turn out again to knead for a few more seconds until smooth. At this point, I like to sprinkle some bran on the work surface and “roll” the ball of dough in it until it’s covered. Place in buttered loaf pan, cover with dish towel and let rise again in a warm place, for approximately 30 minutes.

WW Bread after rising in pan — Dough after rising in Loaf Pan and Ready to Bake (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

Once the dough has rounded and risen to just above the loaf pan, remove dish towel and bake in a preheated 325-degree oven. NOTE: I use an old-fashioned heavy ceramic loaf pan (pictured above) that requires a longer baking time of approximately one hour. Your bread may only need about 45 minutes, depending on the type of loaf pan used, so monitor its progress. It will be nicely browned when done. Remove from loaf pan and place on a small rack to cool before slicing. Enjoy!

WW Bread finished 2 — Freshly Baked Whole Wheat Bran Bread (Photo by Nancy Marie Allen)

November 23, 2018

Counting My Blessings

I remember when I used to count the days until Christmas – Now, I count my blessings!

beach during sunset — Photo by b. on Pexels.com

The day after Thanksgiving is considered by many to be the official start of the Christmas season but, for me, it’s a time of reflection and a time to be grateful for all that is good in life. And my mantra these days is “cherish the simple things” as I seek and find blessings in everyday circumstances.

dried leaf cover by snow at daytime — Photo by photos_by_ginny on Pexels.com

Beyond the crowded malls and frenzied shopping, far away from the hustle and bustle of the season, there is peace and simple beauty all around us, if we only choose to see it. The stillness of a December dawn, the flash of a red cardinal through evergreen boughs, the sparkle of frost on fallen leaves – all so simple and common in their occurrence that they are easily overlooked and, yet, so stunningly beautiful that they can stop us in our tracks.

red cardinal bird on tree branch — Photo by Harvey Reed on Pexels.com

And what is more precious than the warm embrace that greets us as we open the door to loved ones, the prayer of thanks murmured as we gather around the table for dinner, the laughter we share together. These are my blessings, the most prized of all gifts!

advent advent wreath burn burnt — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Wishing the wonderful people in my life, and my dear readers, all the simple blessings life has to offer!

November 14, 2018February 21, 2019

Craving Cozy

As I write this blog, it’s dark, raw and rainy outside, typical of this time of year. Inside the house, I try to ignore the gloom surrounding me, focusing instead on what’s good about the season; and there is so much good to think on, when I take the time to look a little deeper.

art blur bokeh bright — A Glimmer of Light (Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

Over the weekend, I put up some solar twinkle lights on my garden trellis. This was such an easy task and yet it cheered me with the prospect of gazing out my kitchen window at night and seeing this simple structure light up the darkness. I was giving my garden a special adornment, a sparkling cloak in honor of the floral beauty it brought me this past season. Adding this glimmer of light to the outside was also a nod to the coming of winter, to moving inside and basking in the warm comforts of home.

autumn autumn leaf autumn leaves chocolate — A Cozy Cup (Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Pexels.com)

Leaving work on a particularly miserable day, a friend once said to me, “I just want to go home and get cozy.” Cozy sure sounded good to me, too! But, what exactly is cozy? Is it a state of mind, of comfort, of warmth? Is it that glimmer of light in the darkness? It’s all of these things and yet different for each one of us; cozy is personal.

kate-stone-matheson-1141289-unsplash — A Cozy Cat (Photo courtesy Kate Stone Matheson – Unsplash)

Coming inside, living indoors, is the natural consequence of cold, long winters; but how we choose to live in our homes during these dark months is what makes it bearable and, dare I say it, pleasurable.

adult beverage breakfast celebration — A Cozy Room (Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

Cozy is my constant survival mode for winter. Keeping the house comfortably warm, adding blankets, pillows and throws to sitting areas and lighting a wood fire all contribute to the perfect ambiance. Flannel sheets, shirts, and nightgowns embrace me with softness. Steaming mugs of tea, coffee and cocoa become my preferred beverages. Even everyday cooking creates comforting warmth with its tantalizing aromas of freshly baked bread and slow-cooked soups and stews.

red knitted textile and three black pine cones — A Cozy Gift (Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com)

Preparing our homes for the holidays only ramps up the coziness factor. We can create scenes of indoor beauty with just white candles and fragrant greenery or add more magic with the sparkle of tree lights, presents, and ornaments. From simple to ornate, it’s all pleasing to our senses and only adds to the pleasure of being home. The key to living well all winter is to keep this warm and comforting aura going long after the Christmas tree has been taken down.

By enhancing our pleasure in being indoors, home becomes the place where we most want to be – a place that’s inviting, beautiful, warm, and cozy.

November 5, 2018

Yoga for Life

At some point in high school, I bought a small “pocket” book about Yoga poses and started practicing them at home. It was the late 1960’s and Yoga was just becoming popular in our hip culture. I liked the challenge of learning how to do the poses and my young body easily bent and stretched as I followed the instructions on the series of poses that made up the “Sun Salutation.” There was no such thing as a Yoga studio at that time in my small hometown and no place to go where I could learn more. Besides, I had neither a car nor money for classes and had to content myself with practicing alone at home. For the next several years, I did just that.

simon-rae-438771-unsplash — Photo courtesy of Simon Rae

In 1973, after graduating from college, I began working at a local medical center doing transcription. A co-worker there asked if I would like to join her and a friend who had just rented a small storefront as a place to meet and practice Yoga. I was thrilled to finally have an opportunity to learn more about it and practice with others, so I quickly agreed. The dedicated young woman who was to become my first teacher was really just learning herself but she was totally devoted to all things Yoga and instilled a love of practice in me that would continue for life. We met weekly in that tiny rental and then in her home, creating more space, and all the time more young women were joining us. Yoga was becoming mainstream!

jacob-postuma-409825-unsplash — Photo courtesy of Jacob Postuma

After about five years, my teacher went on to take advanced teacher training and become accredited. For a while I considered this, too, taking some of these classes myself which were held in a large studio near Boston. With one mat right up close to the next, the classes were always jam-packed with people who had committed themselves to regular practice. It was my first experience with the mega business Yoga was becoming and I was excited to be a part of it.

beautiful exercise female girl — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

During this time I married and my new husband and I bought a home. It wasn’t long before I became pregnant with my first child and my Yoga practice took a back seat as I adjusted to my new life as a homemaker, wife, and soon-to-be mother. Even during this busy time, I continued to meet with my Yoga friends and practiced throughout my pregnancy. Yoga had become a huge part of my life and I saw it only continuing into the future.

aquatic beautiful bloom blooming — Photo by Diego Madrigal on Pexels.com

For nearly 50 years and through all of life’s ups and downs, I’ve continued to practice Yoga. There have been times when I’ve had to stop because of health issues but I’ve always come back, again and again. For me, coming back to Yoga is like coming home. There’s something so comforting and stabilizing in the practice, something that nothing else in life provides. And I don’t think I can adequately describe what it’s like because Yoga has to be experienced to be understood, and the experience is in the practice.

rawpixel-771284-unsplash — Photo courtesy of rawpixel

These days my practice is very different from the vigorous Hatha flow sequences of my youth. I’m fortunate to have a studio near my home where safety and well-being are encouraged and supported by a knowledgeable and dedicated staff. Because my body has changed with age and physical limitations, I’ve had to make changes in the way I practice, but I find this softer version to be even deeper and more rewarding. And it only reinforces my belief that Yoga can be practiced at any time and at any age. My teacher recently posted this quote which expresses it beautifully:

“When we realize that what we are advancing toward is not some physical form but an inward recognition of the truth of who we are, then we will not feel ourselves to be failing if we cannot attain difficult postures. “Advanced” practice is any movement that brings us closer to this recognition of our true self. .” ~ Donna Farhi

accessory balance blur close up — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I hope I have inspired some of you to try Yoga or maybe get back to regular practice, and I’d love to hear about your experiences as well. Namaste.

For more on the remarkable studio where I practice, click on this link: https://abtyoga.com/

DISCLOSURE: From time to time I may use Affiliate Links such as the one below. I use these only for companies I trust. When you click through on the link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission (at no additional cost to you) which helps me to maintain my website. Thank You!

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