Tag: natural

balance

Yoga Sesh

2chicksandapen

I took a yoga class on the ocean. My first yoga session by the water. It was amazing.

The sounds of the waves.

The chirps of the birds.

The cool breeze of the wind.

The smell of the sea.

The light beeeze.

A little bit of sand on your body.

The ambience of it all.

The yoga session was simple. Geared towards the intermediate yoga level. Letting your body move and flow with your breath. Letting your mind settle. Letting life set aside while you unwind. Such a blissful time as you allow yourself to get into that sacred shared space of mind, body and spirit. I definitely think the ocean setting helps me to reach that space quickly.

Focusing on the views. Allow my sit bones to sink into the earth. Rising with strength. Lengthening my body. Leveraging my breath. It was all peaceful and fun in such a weird way. The instructor’s voice even had a calming tone. I felt like I had reached such a meditative state.

The ending is always my favorite part of yoga class . The zen moment of reflection. Each instructor always has a different spin or take on it.  Today was a one word closing, gratitude. I always like what the instructor gives for thoughts regarding the closure. Almost like a prompt to write about in your mind. Today was all about gratitude. One word. Keep it simple. 

The reflection.

What does gratitude mean to you.

In this moment.

The quiet pause.

The simple breeze.

The feeling of freedom.

The moments of reflection.

Close your eyes.

Drift.

Breathe.

Enjoy.

That’s what I did. That’s what I will do again tomorrow. I am greatful for the opportunity to wake again and repeat. Yoga is great way to physically stretch your body but also your mind.

Find your zen moment today and enjoy.

adventure, nature

Purple Mountain Majesty

2chicksandapen

America the Beautiful

I’ve sung it a million times. It was in our repertoire when I traveled to other countries with a choir in my youth. A lovely melody (and much easier to sing than the national anthem.)

Of course I know the words by heart, but I hadn’t thought much about them much until recently. On a trip to Colorado, I finally understood one line in particular: “for purple mountain majesty.”

Funny, I had never really paused over that line before. Now, I find myself thinking it really doesn’t make much sense…

until it did, when I crested a hill on I-70, motoring my way west from Denver. The sun was going down and the steep slopes of pines had a faint purple cast, especially from the bare trees. I kept wanting to grab a photo. I couldn’t believe it, as I cruised along up and down the road. Purple mountains. Majestic, indeed.

It is such a refreshing joy to go somewhere completely different. To see a place utterly and fascinatingly new. It feels like my brain just grew and grew. New heights, new landscapes, new colors and atmosphere around every turn. Most of the time when we tried to take a picture, we knew it wouldn’t do it justice. It was all almost too enormous, too beautiful, too perfect to believe.

There was so much about Colorado that I marveled at and want to remember. But for now, I just want to honor those awe-inspiring mountains. They were truly a sight to behold. Worth singing about and sharing.