Warrior Poses

Warrior 1 - Japanese Gardens Oregon

     All three warrior poses challenge us to fight for the innocent in a concentrated devotional way. The warrior poses are a reminder to contemplate your thoughts and actions in an intelligent way. Legend has it, when Shiva discovered his wife's self-immolation as a result of her fury and great sadness towards her father's rejection of Shiva, he became enraged. As a result, he created Virabhadra from his dreadlock, the great warrior, who rose out of the ground (think warrior 1 pose, palms together, face upturned), drew his sword (think warrior 2, arms open), and sliced off Daksha's head (his father-in-law).

Warrior 2 - Japanese Gardens Oregon

     When Daksha's head fell to the ground, Virabhadra bent to pick it up and reach forward to place it upon a stake (think warrior 3, arms reaching forward).

Warrior 3 Variation Arms - Cliff of Moher, Ireland

     The shocking act caused quite an uproar among the people. It is said in the world of gods things can happen instantaneously. Sati, Shivas wife, donned a new body and scolded Shiva for beheading her father. Sati knew her father was unkind to Shiva but she realized Shiva's actions would not solve the problem to make her father accept him. It was at that point Shiva realized he let his emotions dictate his actions. The problem was, he hadn't thought at all. 

     The warrior code of behavior recognizes that life is not always a bed of roses. It's hard and requires difficult decisions. Challenges arise and can shake us to our core. It is often our impulses, like Shiva's, that lead us to seek revenge. Things rarely go as planned. We deal with disappointments and failed expectations on a daily basis. So how can we resist the impulse of a heated moment? There is a profound Yoga Sutra that gives the perfect solution:

" In order to preserve an elevated state of mind, be happy for those who are happy, cultivate compassion for those who are sad, feel delight for those deemed to be lucky, and experience indifference toward those perceived to be wicked."

     This story shows that even the gods can make mistakes; albeit their mistakes are useful in teaching us valuable lessons. Keep the yogi mind on and off the mat and become warriors out in the world. This is the way to preserve an elevated state of mind. It's not easy to be a warrior especially when you are fighting against a reactive mind. There are, and always will be, plenty of times to do our best and make things right.

Om!

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Yoga Girl 

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Be Creative With Surya Namaskar!

Get Creative With Surya Namaskar This Month 

View my short video and have some fun!

My Favorite Weather is Bird Chirping Weather

Photo by : Martha Geiger

 On June 21, 2019, the summer solstice rolls in.  The summer solstice, also known as mid-summer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt towards the sun. It happens twice a year in both hemispheres, and when it does, the sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight.

It's the time of year our spirits begin to wake up and stretch. There is a yearning to be out, feel alive, move about and celebrate. Click here and explore some ideas of how you can enjoy the energy of the summer solstice. Included in this article are pictures from my yoga hike at Huber Woods and Surya Namaskar video.

Get creative this month and take advantage of the joyous energy that enters through the loshu grid for June. Incredible creativity flows with ease in an orderly environment. Be inspired by your rich imagination and transform your lofty ideas into reality.  With the summer solstice upon us, you can count on clear vision to guide you through the process. 

Your ideas will flow from a point deep within as you connect to cosmic consciousness. Imagine with each breath you take an endless wave of Divine grace and wisdom flowing over you nourishing and invigorating every cell of your being. It is always there for you. Get quiet, be still, listen, breathe and trust. 

In the ancient yogic text, Bhagavad Gita, it is said that whatever one's mind thinks of (sankalpa), for that thing one develops a desire. Whatever you desire, you will make the effort towards it.  This month make the effort to strive for your desire. Keep your creative center (navel chakra) open to receive information from your higher self (3rd eye point). Bringing forth your desire is like the birthing process; expect some pains, but know that you can bask in the joy as you bring forth your creation. Move past the illusion and free yourself of fear. Trust the process and then let go.  

Additional Points of Interest for June

Networking/Wealth: Connect with those who share your vision this month. Discuss ways to offer additional services. Add that creative dynamic to set you apart from others. There is a cohesive relationship between your networking efforts and money realized. You can assist this energy in your environment by adding either moving water (fountain) or plug-in incense burner to the northwest portent, and the elements of fire and earth to the southeast.

Career/Vision: Expect some bumps in the road this month as you are moving through your goals. Albeit the sun is bright and illuminates your ideas, little things can go awry. Moving from one work project to another can create tension between colleagues, especially in work setting. You can manage this by slowing down the pace and taking a pause. In your environment, place metal décor in the south and healthy plant in the north.

Self-Knowledge/Relationships: Part of the creative process this month is to go within yourself. This requires time spent in meditation. There is resistance in the quality of the elements that interact in the loshu this month. This holds true when it comes to your outer relationships too. By placing a metal element in the northeast and a fire element in the southwest, you can effectively advert this tension. Clear communication and intention is always the best approach whether it is in your meditation session or with another person.

Family/Children/Creativity: Potential chaos when it comes to family matters this month. This requires precise thought process and clear communication to right the wrong. Keep your environment organized, as this can add to the struggle. It is important to spend time outdoors this month. Take long walks, sit in your backyard or explore park trails. The idea is to connect to Mother Nature. This bodes well for your health and can also get your creative juices to flow. You can journal the process in depth by exploring my book Mother Nature A Bridge to Conscious Living.

The combining elements in the loshu for these areas of your life are stressed this month. Ease the tension by placing metal and virtual water elements  in the east and an earth element in the west. Perhaps you can find these elements during your nature walks!

Overall Challenge This Month:

Metal over fire is a destructive combination with June's Metal Horse. You can expect impulsive, stubborn, aloof, distracted and self-centered behavior.

How to Work With It:

•  Pause before making a decision
•  Resist impulse spending
•  Be flexible
•  Be present
•  Reach out to others

Health Concerns This Month

There are several antagonistic relationships between the elements this month that can impact certain organ/body systems;

Hips/Pelvis: Tendency for pressure in this area of the body. Be mindful of your exercise routine. Take a few extra minutes to stretch this area of the body. Taking a yin yoga class geared towards the wood organs (Liver and Gallbladder) would be helpful. I have added in several yin yoga postures in my yin/yang classes that target especially the gallbladder (outer hip). An infusion of water poses helps to fuel these areas along with some fire poses to ease the tension. June 29th I'll be subbing in for the 4:15 Yin class at Inlet Yoga Studio. You can count on some of these poses for your practice.

Intestines/Mouth/Teeth: Choose your diet wisely this month. With fire strong, it behooves you to move towards earth foods to drain off the excess heat. Some earth foods include: Fennel, broccoli, carrots, beans, mushrooms, cabbage, figs, dates, watermelon, tofu, and walnuts. Check when your last dental visit was and follow-up if past due. If playing any contact sports, wear a mouth guard.

Shoulder/Wrist: Many yoga workshops will include 108 sun salutations in honor of the summer solstice this month. Be mindful of your alignment and add extra support for wrist and shoulders, especially if you have prior injury to these body parts. If you spend a great deal of time on your computer or other media devices, take a pause and stretch wrist and shoulders. Be mindful of body mechanics when working on these devices.

Feet/Legs: If you are a runner watch for shin splints this month. Wear compression socks during your workout. They really make a difference. Check the mileage on your sneakers. I just bought a new pair myself, as my feet began to act up. If you put serious mileage on your sneakers, they only last for 5 months or less!

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All 6 books of the Wisdom Buffet Series are now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! I am the co-author of all 6 books.

Project Destiny took several years to complete. We began as a team of 8 and ended the final book with just 2 authors.

For your convenience here are the links to each book:

Happiness Chronicles      Journey to Health

Book of Harmony              The Essence of Love

Redefined Power               Strong, Perfect, Whole

Om!

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Yoga Girl

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Enjoy the Energy of the Summer Solstice!

Photo by Christina Garofalo

The summer solstice represents the fire element. We are closest to the sun that we'll be all year. That means there is a rich abundance of fire to spark your spirt and shed light on your deepest desires. Everything is clearer when the light is turned on, and in this case, you can't get any brighter than the light of the sun. 

Use this energy to get inspired and follow your bliss. Let it fuel you and guide you to your highest potential. Be true to your heart's desires and open the door to your higher calling. Part of the process includes burning away that which is not essential, and in doing so, your inner truth will shine.

Here are 8 things you can do to enjoy the summer solstice:

1. Get Outdoors! This is the time to absorb nature's essence. Let your senses bathe in the powerful aspects that mother earth has to offer. Dip your feet in water, touch trees and rocks. Listen to the birds chirping and other natural sounds. Notice the vibrant colors of flowers in bloom. Spend as much time as you can outdoors. I promise you will not regret it.

Yoga Hike: Huber Woods

2. Plant an Herb Garden: There is something to be said about planting and eating your own food. This is farm to table at its best, as you only have to step outside your back door to shop for your meal.You can also grow healing herbs and learn how to heal minor injuries or make your own natural sunscreen. There are plenty of good books and blogs on how to this. Here's a video on how to make natural sunscreen.

3. Meditate: This is a practice that can be done on a daily basis and not just during the summer solstice. Wake early, find a quiet space, and just sit with yourself. Set an intention and notice what comes up and what doesn't. This is a practice you can cultivate and weave into your life permanently. It makes all the difference in the world.

4. Practice Yoga: What better than sun salutations to honor the light of the sun. Surya Namaskar is a powerful way to ignite your spirit, self-esteem, inner warrior and the power of transformation. Grab your mat and head outdoors for some sun salutations and notice how your spirit soars. Here is a short video of me doing Surya Namaskar with some creative additions!

5. Cut Some Flowers: Add some fresh flowers to brighten up your environment. Connecting with nature and the sun is an important part of experiencing the height of the summer solstice. The power of your own energy in this process is far greater than buying flowers at the store.

6. Take Stock of Your Life: The summer solstice is an excellent time of year to take stock of your life. See where you've been and where you plan on going. Take note of how you are serving your community and make adjustments where needed. 

7. Add Some Fire Elements: The south direction represents the energy of fire. Placing a powerful crystal in the shape of the star tetrahedron is a great way to ignite this element in your environment. Images of a sunrise or sunset are also powerful ways to capture this quality.

8. Consolidate Your Energy: This is a time for self maturation. Mindfully choose your foods by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, refresh your home, and align your thought patterns, and get plenty of rest and relaxation.

Om!

Mary Jane - www.fengshuiyoganj.com

The SImple Life...

     There is something to be said about keeping things simple. After spending a day hiking through the park trails, it was a reminder of how the simple things in life bring the most joy. Here are a few ways to simplify your life.

• Be light. Lightness is an ability to dance through life and approach things naturally instead of trying to force them.
• Be good. Don't wait for the opportunity to be good, just do it! All doing begins with being. Being means to accept instead of resisting. Goodness is a state of being.
• Be happy with what you have. Doing more, achieving more and acquiring more represents a constant drive  toward more than enough, creating a never-ending unfilled promise.
•  Spend time at home. Ration the number of nights out socializing and you will appreciate them more. Use your evenings instead to enjoy your hobbies and family.
•  Use a pen and paper. It's amazing how no one writes the good old fashion way anymore. Personally, I love the feel of the pen against the paper over typing. It is a great way to connect with tradition and ease the mind.
•  Avoid news overload. Whether in the car or during dinner,  the tendency is to keep up with current events. You can only absorb so much. Select carefully what you want to read and listen to, and let the rest go.
•  Go on a mini-retreat. This can be one day or for a few days. Turn off your phone and other forms of communication and just let the sounds of nature be your entertainment.
•  Try other forms of transportation for local errands such as walking or riding a bike. It's amazing how exhilaration it can be. 

Have fun and begin simplifying your life!

Om!

Mary Jane

www.fengshuiyoganj.com