Tag: gratitude

So Why Practice Yoga Anyway?

by LifeWithLisaYogini, posted in Healthy Lifestyle, wellness, yoga

Can you even believe it? I’ve been teaching yoga since 2003! I can say with complete sincerity that I believe this is my life’s work. More than anything, I love helping people feel better. I am fascinated with the healing process. I am encouraged and grateful for the sense of community in the places that I teach.

Probably the largest roadblock, both for myself, my success, and that of my students, is the continuity of practice. Despite my complete confidence in the benefits of regular yoga practice, I still have to motivate myself and others to cultivate a regular practice. There are times a student will say to me after coming to class two days in a row: “Wow! I really feel much better!” But how quickly we forget, and fall back into old habits. It’s easy to allow your yoga practice to become an item to check off on your To Do List. When you show up for my yoga class (or anyone’s yoga class for that matter), you are giving of yourself to something special; you are investing in your SELF; you are loving yourself. You are giving yourself over to transformation. When you don’t want to take the time to practice, that is probably when you most need to go.

Your presence in yoga class is making it possible not only for you, but for others to practice. You are supporting your teacher’s efforts, education, as well as livelihood. It’s a win-win for all concerned.

This quote says it perfectly:

“Practice is not about what you get, it is about what you give. Whether you are driven or resistant, the medicine is the same: do what is truly possible with unwavering commitment to giving yourself to the moment. Without this intention, practice becomes another task to be completed, and it loses its ability to transform. And, transformation, or freedom, is the reason for all discipline.”

— Judith Hanson Lasater

If you ask me, transformation is what this world needs most right now. There is so much focus on our differences; there is so much division. Yoga is literally the art and science of connection. This connection and transformation begins with us and our individual and sincere efforts in each moment. Then it continues when we join with others whom are committed to the same transformation.  

“If you choose to see everything as a miracle, then where you are right now is perfect. There is nowhere to run to; there is nothing else to do except be in this moment and allow what is to be. From that place of radical acceptance, major change can happen. The first step in any transformational experience is acceptance and surrender to the present moment, the way that it is. From that place we have the awareness, humility and power to change what is.”

— Mastin Kipp

I am committed to my yoga practice and personal transformation more than ever before. I am looking forward to supporting the transformation of my current students and the readers of my blog. How great it would be if we could support each other! For a small effort from each of us, the benefits are exponential. Please consider joining me for a class, inviting me to teach at your event, or “liking” and “sharing” my yoga with your family and friends. Please contact me! I would love to hear about your journey!

 “Follow your nature. The practice is really about uncovering your own pose; we have great respect for our teachers, but unless we can uncover our own pose in the moment, it’s not practice — it’s mimicry. Rest deeply in Savasana every day. Always enter that pratyahara (withdrawn state) every day. And just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different.”

— Judith Hanson Lasater

Join me in class soon to experience true transformation!

  1. Yoga with Lisa

Mondays 6:30 -7:30PM

Auburn Hills Community Center

2. Relax & Restore Yoga with Lisa

Tuesdays 6:30 – 7:30PM

Auburn Hills Community Center

3. YogaMedics Stress Relief Yoga

Wednesdays 6:45 – 7:45PM

Oakland University Rec Center

4. Morning Yoga with Lisa

Saturdays 8:00 – 9:00AM

Oakland County Crossfit

5. YogaMedics Stress Relief Yoga

Saturdays 12:00 – 1:00PM

Oakland University Rec Center

Lisa Calice, ERYT 200

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaCaliceYoga/

Twitter: @lisacyogini

Instagram: LisaMarieCalice

Please Come in and See Me…Remembering Our Elderly

by LifeWithLisaYogini, posted in Healthy Lifestyle

“Please come in and see me”

The words were written in my Mother’s perfect handwriting. Her plea was written not once, but twice, and the two little notes were affixed to the door to enter my childhood home from the garage. How many times I had walked through this door in my life, nearly always to be greeted by my mom’s smiling face and cheery voice as I walked into the kitchen. She was almost always in the kitchen preparing something for my arrival. Not today.

Today at least the two sad little notes meant she was waiting for me and wanted to make sure that I knew she was there. She wasn’t sure who exactly she was waiting for, but somewhere inside of her, she knew it was me.

I wiped away a tear, put on a smile, and stepped through the door with some trepidation. My mom was watching TV, and she turned around to see me walk in. I went to greet her and told her that I read her notes and I was here to see her. She seemed pleased that the notes had worked even though she didn’t know to whom she was writing them. I gave her a hug, which she still allows me to do, and told her I was happy to see her.

At times it is difficult to see this frail, confused, and often sad woman, and believe that she is my mother. I think the worst part of her decline is best illustrated by her notes on the door. She waits and waits to see her children, and in her mind, her children never come. I can’t even imagine anything that would feel worse to either one of us. I know for a fact my mother has thought of me every day of my entire life, and yet today she doesn’t really know me. I wish she knew that I think of her every day too.

I also know that even if it lasts only for a brief moment, my mom still enjoys having us visit. She enjoys all visitors. She may forget them the minute they leave but it is clear she wants nothing more in life than to find her way “home.” She wants to find her way back to the times when her children and her entire family surrounded her. Almost every day, she talks about going home.

The good news is, she is home for now. My Dad, and all the rest of us have rallied around her to take care of her the best we can. She may not remember us, but we are there and I know there are moments when it brings her some comfort.

I hope all who are reading this, young or older, who have parents who are still around, read this and reflect on their own lives. Spend enjoyable times with your parents whenever you can. To me it seemed that Mom would always be the same, she would just be an older version of the same wonderful woman. Now I would give anything in the world just to be able to talk with her, share stories, and to eat her delicious cooking again. Spend time enjoying your parents while you can.

Having that close relationship truly makes things easier when and if your parents do begin to decline. All older people love to have visitors. No one wants to be forgotten! I wonder how many other elderly people have notes on THEIR doors that say, “Please come in and see me.”

It is a well-known fact that our population is getting older. There are more senior citizens, and the people visiting them are few and far between. We are all busy living our busy lives. Very few have time to visit elderly relatives.

My parents’ generation is known as “The Forgotten Generation.” I have read statistics in several articles that state that 85% of elderly people in care facilities never get visitors! I find that number astounding. That doesn’t even include those still able to live on their own, who don’t get visitors either. We are all busy, and lead hectic lives, but I hope this article will give cause to step back and think about what is really important. Take time to stop and smell the roses! Sometimes those roses are seniors! It will put your own life in perspective and help you to appreciate each moment.

Here are a couple of articles I found for further reading on the subject:

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/americas-elderly-the-forgotten-generation/

https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/

There are also ways you can help:

https://dailycaring.com/10-ways-to-help-seniors-deal-with-isolation-and-depression/

The next time you have a chance to take a few moments to spend with an elderly parent, grandparent, neighbor, or friend, I hope you will do it. They too, may be waiting for you with a note on their door, “Please come in and see me.”

Thank you for reading and if you do visit a senior, or are caring for a Senior, perhaps you can send me a note and share your experiences with me!

Lisa Calice

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LisaCaliceYoga/

Twitter: @lisacyogini

Instagram: LisaMarieCalice

Me and my Mom:

Good Morning Sunshine… Stop to Watch the Sunrise

by LifeWithLisaYogini, posted in Healthy Lifestyle

How many mornings in my lifetime have I rushed to school or to work, without noticing the beauty surrounding me?

I have a favorite place on the way to the office where I can view the sunrise in all its splendor. I captured this beautiful sunrise on October 1st, which was quite possibly the last warm day of the season. Stopping made me a few minutes late for work, but I knew I would be glad of my choice later on, and would probably end up working late several days this week. Since that morning, I have made up those five minutes, and then some.

For me the sunrise puts my existence back into perspective. It restores my optimism and wonder at the world in which I live, which is brimming with bright possibilities. No one will remember me as the girl who was on time every day or stayed late to help out or to get something done. No employer I have worked for – ever – has appreciated me or compensated me for working extra. They could replace me in a heartbeat and I still would have missed all those sunrises…

Taking the time to appreciate life and live in the present moment, is something we teach in yoga. Take time to breathe, appreciate where you are, even if it’s not a beautiful sunrise. Stop or at least slow down, and feel grateful for this moment. Where are we rushing to anyway? The grave? I mean, what’s the hurry?

People who take the time to appreciate life and connect with the moments and the breaths in between all the rushing around are happier and healthier. This is a really great article that also offers some simple suggestions for ways to implement this in your own life.

https://m.wikihow.com/Stop-and-Smell-the-Roses?amp=1

Take a walk in nature, try a yoga class, watch a sunrise and a sunset. Notice how you feel!

Check back for more mindfulness stories right here on my blog or visit me here:

Lisa Calice Yoga https://www.facebook.com/LisaCaliceYoga/

Twitter: @Lisacyogini

Instagram: LisaMarieCalice

Or visit me in person at one of my classes in and around Auburn Hills, Mi