BREATHE, RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLOW

STRESS
Physiology. a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.
8. physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension: Worry over his job and his wife's health put him under a great stress.
9. a situation, occurrence, or factor causing this: The stress of being trapped in the elevator gave him a pounding headache.


This is what I was feeling last week. I’m a creature of habit and love comfort in organization, or at least what I deem as organization. The only thing is life does not always go according to plan, or at least the plan you may have for it. Even in already knowing these things I sometimes have to remind myself to take time to breath, relax and go with the flow. What can I say?... I’m a work in progress.

What really tipped me off that I was feeling a bit anxious was my breathing. I noticed that I wasn’t breathing fully. So I made up in my mind to remedy that w/a yoga class. It had been so long since I’d been to one. You can read my past posts on yoga here and here.

I had to make the choice to commit myself (recommit) to something that would benefit me and my well-being and, in the mean time, not beat myself up for slacking.

Post Title → BREATHE, RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLOW

COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE!!

Happy Friday Beautiful Ones!

Did you wake up and tell yourself, "I love you. I respect you. I value you". How about a hug or a well wish?.. When you opened your eyes, did you consider all the things that have gone right and are going right in your life? Did you reflect on all the wonderful things in your world?...

I ask you these things because it is way too easy to focus on what you don't like, what you wish had gone or would go a different way, what you regret doing or not having done, who you wish would act the way you feel they should act as opposed to focusing on the universe before you and what you can fashion it into. You can either tune yourself into the "Perpetual Victim" station or you can align yourself up with the "I Am Active in Making My World Positive and Healthy" station.

Which station are you choosing to vibe with?.... I guarantee you, the latter station will make your world more joyful and peaceful.


Anyhoo, I just had to meet up with you Lovelies because I miss blogging when I'm away. I'm addicted. Lol. I'm happy it's Friday but I'm really looking forward to next week. I have some posts in mind for next week (one of which was inspired by other bloggers) that I'm excited about. As far as the weekend is concerned, I hope that I will be able to get to my Hatha yoga class. I've really been missing it. I'm also gonna try out a couple of green smoothie recipes that I will review sometime next week. And definitely making it to see "Star Trek" this weekend.

What about you with your beautiful self?....

Peace and blessings, Beautifuls!
And as always, don't forget to "do you"?
ChocolateOrchid ;)

Post Title → COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE!!

COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE....IT'S FRIDAY!!

Happy Friday Beautifuls!

I hope that all has been well w/you on this week. It has for me, outside of feeling a bit funky earlier this week. I attribute it to some stuff I shouldn't have eaten. A few smoothies and workouts later, and I'm better. =)

I am so lookin' forward to this weekend. After work (Yes, I'm blogging at work. Lol.), I plan on hitting up the movie "Wolverine" w/my brother. It's my treat for his birthday and both of us are looking forward to it. Saturday's Hatha yoga class was cancelled. DARN! So I hope to find one somewhere else. If not, I'll have to see if I can get to it on Sunday. I cannot express to you how great yoga is for the body and mind. I was so relaxed afterwards but on a much deeper level. I mean so much so that upon doing my taxes and discovering I owed $1500, I was okay. It just was. I also have to hit up Whole Foods. Momma needs some groceries. I've got some smoothies to make and drink. =)

What are you up to this weekend?.. I hope somewhere in it you find or make time to do something for you.

Much Love,
CO

Post Title → COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE....IT'S FRIDAY!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Hi Beautiful!

Can I say, "THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY!!” I don’t know about you but I am so glad this week is over! It has been trying, painful (at times) and stressful. But I made it through and the sun is shining today (literally). As I reflect on this week, I focus on the good. That I’m alive, have use of my limbs, can see, have family and friends who love and care about me, a healthy happy child and… I’m still here. When I look at things from this perspective, I realize that every day, every moment that I’m still here is another opportunity to live life to its fullest. It’s another chance to grab hold to that that’s good, healthy, beneficial, beautiful and positive. And not just for myself, but to also share with others. The fact that I’m still here also let’s me know that I’m still, in some way, needed in this world. Something that I have may benefit the world whether it’s a gift, a program, a deed, a movement, etc. etc. Maybe it’s another opportunity to give someone a smile, a friendly hello, a warm “Happy Friday.”, or maybe even a hug. You never know who may need you. And I don’t mean in a big way. It could be the simplest, smallest thing that may be a “no-biggie” to you.

Just had to drop some thoughts…

I did complete my two day detox and I’m happy. It’s been way too long since I’ve done a fast of some sorts. Now, I’m motivated to reincorporate a day a fasting into my week and to strive for a week of fasting each quarter. I really feel great and lighter! The next time I do a fast, I should have my juicer so I can really get down with it! =)



Anyhoo, this is going to be a full weekend for me. Me and my daughter will hang out tonight. Spend some quality time. So looking forward to that! I’ll hit up The World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show which is going on all weekend. I’ll be in attendance on Saturday. I can’t wait to see all the vendors and demonstrations! Oh, I’ll also get to meet fab hair blogger, Curlynikki. She’ll be there in her own booth. Go, girl!! I also hope to see another fab hair blogger, Urbancurlz. Holla!! Don’t play, Lady! Come on out! I do hope to see other fabulous natural heads, those in transitions and those just curious out there. Hell, just errbody!! Later that day, I hope to catch up with a childhood friend that I haven't seen in eons. And I cannot end this weekend without a much needed session of Hatha yoga, on Sunday! It is vital and necessary for me. Especially, following this week. Whew!



Well Beautifuls..we’ve made another week. I hope that all is well in your world.
Whatcha got going on this weekend? Will you get some time in for you? I sure hope so.
And don’t forget, Lovelies....do you.

Much Luv,
CO

Post Title → HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING.....

I just had to come back and give some more detail/information on Hatha Yoga. Couldn't just throw it out there and not break it down, so I'm providing you with some answers to questions that you may have wondered while reading my last post. I just gotta go deep. That's just me.

Hatha History
Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in America. It is the branch of yoga that concentrates on physical health and mental well-being. Hatha yoga uses bodily postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana) with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind. There are nearly 200 hatha yoga postures, with hundreds of variations, which work to make the spine supple and to promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues. Hatha yoga postures also stretch and align the body, promoting balance and flexibility.

Hatha has been around since 15th century India when a yogic sage, Swami Swatamarama, detailed Hatha Yoga Pradipika, one of the most important yoga texts. The original intent of this form of yoga was to help support relaxation of the body and to support the "contemplation of one reality." Many of the classic Hatha yoga poses that were used at its inception, in fact, are still in use with it today. According to those first practitioners of Hatha, the postures can lead to the best in not only physical well being, but also the best state of mind you can possibly attain.

Origins
Yoga was developed in ancient India as far back as 5,000 years ago; sculptures detailing yoga positions have been found in India which date back to 3000 B.C. Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word which means "union." The goal of classical yoga to bring self-transcendence, or enlightenment, through physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many people in the West mistakenly believe yoga to be a religion, but its teachers point out that it is a system of living designed to promote health, peace of mind, and deeper awareness of ourselves. There are several branches of yoga, each of which is a different path and philosophy toward self-improvement. Some of these paths include service to others, pursuit of wisdom, nonviolence, devotion to God, and observance of spiritual rituals. Hatha yoga is the path which has physical health and balance as a primary goal, for its practitioners believe that greater mental and spiritual awareness can be brought about with a healthy and pure body.
The origins of hatha yoga have been traced back to the eleventh century A.D. The Sanskrit word ha means "sun" and tha means "moon," and thus hatha, or literally sun-moon yoga, strives to balance opposing parts of the physical body, the front and back, left and right, top and bottom.
The original philosophers of yoga developed it as an eight-fold path to complete health. These eight steps include moral and ethical considerations (such as honesty, non-aggression, peacefulness, non-stealing, generosity, and sexual propriety), self-discipline (including purity, simplicity, devotion to God, and self-knowledge), posture, breath control, control of desires, concentration, meditation, and happiness. According to yogis, if these steps are followed diligently, a person can reach high levels of health and mental awareness.
As it has subsequently developed, hatha yoga has concentrated mainly on two of the eight paths, breathing and posture. Yogis believe breathing to be the most important metabolic function; we breathe roughly 23,000 times per day and use about 4,500 gallons of air, which
increases during exercise. Thus, breathing is extremely important to health, and prana, or life-force, is found most abundantly in the air and in the breath. If we are breathing incorrectly, we are hampering our potential for optimal health. Pranayama, literally the "science of breathing" or "control of life force," is the yogic practice of breathing correctly and deeply.
In addition to breathing, hatha yoga utilizes asanas, or physical postures, to bring about flexibility, balance and strength in the body. Each of these postures has a definite form and precise steps for achieving the desired position and for exiting it. These postures, yogis maintain, have been scientifically developed to increase circulation and health in all parts of the body, from the muscular tissues to the glands and internal organs. Yogis claim that although hatha yoga can make the body as strong and fit as any exercise program, its real benefits come about because it is a system of maintenance and balance for the whole body.

Credits for this info.:
Author Info: Douglas Dupler, Teresa G. Odle, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 2005

Rebecca Prescott
Published: 7/25/2006 Rebecca has a diploma in Shiatsu and Computer Programming. She runs two websites www.vitaminstohealth.com and www.acnetohealth.com. and has studied various aspects of herbal medicine.

Peace and Blessings, Beautiful!

Post Title → IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING.....

OHMING IN '09

Good Morning Beautifuls!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Guess what I did?.... I took my first yoga class. The class focused on classic hatha yoga. And it was awesome!! I was sharing with a friend how tense I have been lately. You know that kind of tense that kind of sneaks up on you. The kind that you really don't realize until you notice how off your breathing is. Maybe it's just me but I definitely realized it was time to move on it and do something about it. So I found a yoga meetup group close to my residence and decided to jump in.

Let me tell you, it was truly a wonderful experience. The instructor is really nice and gentle. Her presence is easy and comfortable to be around and so flows the class. She was very helpful with poses and did push us to "take it to the edge" but not hurt ourselves. And yes, I broke a little sweat. Lovelies, I felt relaxed on an entirely different level after the class. And needless to say, was a little sore the following day which is cool. Now, I'm just that much more aware of my breathing. I'm definitely going back.

What about you? Did you have a lovely weekend?...

Post Title → OHMING IN '09