2008: THE YEAR OF LIVING DELIGHTFULLY. My healthy, wild expectations for the year.
Unlike what the title of one of my all-time favorite movies might predict, I intend for 2008 to be filled with delight. I think I've finally managed to convince the Grumpy Girl that we can live with a few rules and regulations and have fun at the same time. No one's going to grade us, scold us, or put us in the naughty spot if we mess up.
I've taken on a few practices in the last 5-10 years and entitle them responsible for much of what is positive in my physical body. One of them is The Mother Sequence of yoga postures as defined by Jehangir Palkhivala and the other, eating primarily fresh, plant based foods.
I stray from consistently employing them long-term, probably because I feel so good with even just a 21-day (or less) regimen. But every passing year, my body seems to ask for more and the path appears as clear as it is compelling. It has taken me exactly 30 days to whittle my wild expectations for 2008 down to just two. But I had an intuition (and a talk with Grumpy Girl) that everything else on my wish list will blossom from these two main branches:
I. The Mother Sequence, a Yoga Practice. It's a combination of 12 sun salutes, the 5 Tibetan Rites (21 times each), 2 standing poses, 3 seated postures, 4 inversions, and 5 finishing poses (all 12 breaths per side). A shortened variation may be done if time is a factor, otherwise the practice lasts for 45-60 minutes, depending upon the strength/length of your breath. My intention: a daily dose.
II. Eat Nutrient-dense, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. My current "guru" in this department is Joel Fuhrman, M.D., who spells out his formula in Eat to Live (Little Brown, 2003). Although it may be sold as a "revolutionary formula for fast and sustained weight loss", I'm interested in the prolonged health benefits to my circulatory and endocrine systems. Losing a few pounds would be a sweet side-effect. My intention: 90% of my foods will be nutrient-dense and raw.
Dr. Fuhrman's book and The Fountain of Youth, which explains the Tibetan Rites are available here through Amazon:
There! I've made the commitment and plan to review my progress in a delightful manner introduced to me by Dave Seah as Groundhog Day Resolutions! We begin on February 2 (2/2), Groundhog Day, and review and follow-up on March 3 (3/3), April 4 (4/4), May 5 (5/5) and so on. On a daily basis, I'll be writing in my journal about all that I have to appreciate.
Please check back here for the reviews, additional information and links to future posts on this subject. If you'd like to find out how to incorporate this practice into your life, send me an e-mail: barbara@konayoga.com
Christine, from Kona, shares her experience:
This is a good practice. It honors the body through right eating and exercise and keeping a gratitude journal is an enlightening experience.
I saw improvement in my strength and flexibility in yoga postures. Eating “raw until dinner” is invigorating. I had more energy and a feeling of lightness.
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REVIEWS:
March 3, 2008: After a month, some tweaking and adjustments to my current habits and time management are needed.
April 4, 2008: Not at all the month I had envisioned. My practice got away from me but I think I'll be back stronger than ever!
