Yoga and the Snow

Yoga class resumed today following a five week hiatus over the holidays. Despite heavy snowfall our lovely teacher made it all the way down from Chain Lake and the top floor studio overlooking the Similkameen river was packed. Stiffened bodies left in the undisciplined care of their chocolate eating occupiers part rejoiced and part cringed in anticipation of the return of stretching and strengthening. The monkey mind was difficult to quiet. Bless her sweet heart, Joi exercised kindness leading us through gentle forward folds and plenty of child's pose. The space filled with gratitude as she led us onto our backs about half way through class. Then she said "Now we're going to do some abs". Ouch. There, of course, is always the option to fold back into child's pose instead of following her through the hard stuff, but we are brave chocolate eaters and the whole room rose to the challenge. My body likes me better now. I am filled with gratitude for what it will do for me and for the warm and loving energy that is shared in the studio. I look forward to the gradual return of mental discipline. There is still chocolate in my house, but that's okay too.

Renewal

Hi! I'm here! I know, you thought I had dropped off the face of the Earth. Sometimes that happens to writers. We just stop writing. That doesn't mean we stop being writers. Call it writers block, or letting life's other responsibilities over run our very hearts and souls, or laziness. What ever you want to call it, it really sucks the life out of a writer. All those words and images and ideas just lying inside you like dead animals. Yuck. So, back to work. I have no idea where this will lead me, what I will write about. I just know that if I don't put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, engage brain and heart and let those animals run free that I will become sadder and more useless with every passing day. The passing of my Dad this past fall has brought mortality much more front of mind for me. We only get this one crazy chance with physical presence on this planet so there's not much sense in being shy about it. I would rather let my life be driven by love than by fear. Here is to a New Year full of new friendships and new adventures! Cheers.

Ride a Blue Horse

Will you ride a wild blue horse?

Gallop red field

leave purple wake

jump diamond fence

land on lightening

ride it to Orion

I will see your light forever.

Purple hoof beats

on black canvas

sewn to my blue velvet heart

with the carbon thread

of stardust

#NaPoWriMo #day21 #surreal #poetry