The Saga of Folding Myself into a Paper Airplane

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“Relaaaaaaaaxing jaw. Relaaaaaaaxing face.” ~ Cat Kabira, “Gentle Yoga” DVD set

I just finished doing my yoga practice for the day, earning my 5th gold star for the week for yoga (+ two for my elliptical trainer). I’m going for 10 gold stars on my desk calendar by the end of the day Sunday.

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“Yoga. Because punching people is frowned upon.” — Anonymous

My husband watches me practice each day, reading his tablet in his chair. He says he is exercising and stretching with me ‘in spirit.’ His favorite pose HE calls, “The dog at the fire hydrant pose.” :0)

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“Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” — Anonymous

I AM feeling a good difference since I started the DAILY sessions of yoga 25 days ago.  Even though my husband is still having to rub muscle gel with Arnica on me most mornings, I’m feeling looser, and I feel good after my practice.  This is really good for me because, at 72, I tend to get stiff and ‘brittle.’ This is a great way for me to stretch s-l-o-w-l-y and c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y without hurting myself.

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“Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go – what does matter is who you are when you get there.” – Max Strom

The Gold Stars are a stupid, silly way that WORK to keep me motivated to continue daily practice. Now that I’ve added my elliptical trainer 3 times a week, I’m working toward 10 stars a week. :0)

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Longleat Safari Park, Britain – Sep 2006

“I bend so I don’t break.” — Anonymous

It’s fascinating to FEEL my body resist a pose at first, many times being uncomfortable at first – and then start to ‘give’ toward the stretch as I breathe into it.  I’m feeling the difference here. I still can’t go all the way to the floor on some things, but Cat Kabira, the wonderful teacher on “Gentle Yoga” emphasizes that if you are stretching toward your goal, that’s enough. It’s really what kept me going at the very first of getting into this.

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…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

So, this old lady is grateful to have found a way to start a practice that will help me get and stay as flexible and strong as I can be. Hopefully, I can keep this going for many years to come.