Hello readers and friends,

Just wanted to share with you news of my blog moving to it’s new home–She Knows Yoga! (and meditation and Pilates, etc..)

Beginning Monday, December 1, you’ll be able to find me at She Knows Yoga.  It’s been wonderful these past few months getting to know all of you, sharing ideas and information. 

The topics at She Knows Yoga will follow much of what you have been reading on Grounded Fitness.  But, as always, I’ll be making room and opening up dialogues on many topics realted to what I call the “lifestyle.”  I’m really excited about it, and so looking forward to giving you even more to look forward to in the coming weeks and months ahead!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t sent out good karma to my partner, Kelly, on Grounded Fitness.  Keep watching her work!  She’s an energetic, fun, insightful blogger and fitness professional who really loves people.  You can’t go wrong with Kelly :-)

So beginning Monday, check me out at She Knows Yoga.  It should be a really fun ride :-)

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

It’s Moving Weekend for This Yogini!

Hard for me to believe that the holidays are already here. For northeast Ohio, the weather is a bit off.  No snow, no snow drifts (at least on the west side of the river), just wet pavement coated with a light sprinkling of rain.  I’m sure that’s bound to change very soon.  The only thing that can be guaranteed at this point are the grey days that dominate this time of year. But even the grey clouds make a nice backdrop for the holiday lights and candles I see lighting many windows and porches.

Still have lots to do to prepare for the holidays. At Grounded Fitness, my main focus tends to be yoga, meditation, Pilates and a healthier, more peaceful lifestyle.

Because I want to share with all of the people who have commented and shared their ideas since we launched this summer, I’ve done some scouting for all of you, and have come up with some lifestyle-focused goodies that include bargains for you this holiday.

Here’s the list:

I happen to really enjoy and covet the products at Gaiam.com.  They are diverse, fun, useful and thoughtful.  The folks at Gaiam have graciously offered my readers a discount on merchandise for the holiday season.  Here’s how it works:

If you make a purchase of $50 or more, just enter coupon code GEB50 at checkout.  In return you’ll get $10 off your purchase!  You can also enter to win great prizes by playing their online yoga pose game at:

http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/ecs/contest/contestGate.html .

Check it out!

Give to the Future this Holiday Season

What better way to change the present, than to do what you can to change it?  And what better time than the holidays?

I contacted the team at ChangingThePresent.org, with the theme of helping the environment in mind.  Here are organizations/links they suggest and encourage for gifts to your friends who are hoping to make a difference:

Adopt a Penguin

Save a Cloud Forest

Restore Kenyan Land

Clear the Air

Adopt a Tiger

4 Fluorescent Bulbs

Generations United (environmental education)

Natural Resources Defense Council Permanent Land Protection

Check them out, see which one fits, and sign up for a gift in a friend or family member’s name today.

Enter to Win a Comfy New Pair of Yoga Pants!

To add to the fun, I am also raffling off a pair of Agility Pants (pictured above) from bepresent.com. These normally retail for $63.00, so a nice gift for someone you love who loves yoga, or a lovely treat for yourself.

The pants sit on the hips and feature back slits. an adjustable drawstring waist, darted knees and patch pockets.  Color and size will be based on availability.

Here’s how to enter:

Check out the yoga wear at www.bepresent.com.

Leave a comment for me at GroundedFitness on how yoga and meditation have changed your life, and how you think the agility pant would help you enjoy your practice more.

Go ahead and offer up a link exchange between your blog and GroundedFitness to increase your chances to win!

More Yoga for the Holidays

Our friends at MyYogaOnline.com are opening their hearts and resources once again to people who want to try yoga.

Beginning December 1, just follow this link, and enter promo code RY097381 to activate your free two-week trial.  What a great way to relax through the holidays.  Looking for a gift for a close friend or loved one who loves yoga or is interested in getting started? You’ll find their affordable $9.95 month fee would make a great gift all ‘year round!

Now that the free offers are out of the way, thought I’d share a few of the fun, sustainable shopping places I plan to frequent this holiday season.

Katwise.com

Kat O’Sullivan has built her business on looking inward and using what is available instead of needlessly consuming.  She is the creator of Katwise, behind a business that repurposes previously worn clothing into new and quite cool pieces.  Part of a growing number of designers that are bringing new life to recycled materials, her work is fun, unexpected and good.

Lulu Frost

Founded by Lisa Salzer in NYC, the Lulu Frost label adorns repurposed  materials like antique door hinges, old game pieces and hotel room numbers that she has transformed into eclectic new accessories. Really cool. As Salzer says “gratitude is a central theme of my mission.” Check it out at lulufrost.com.

Lululemon.com

I am in love with Lululemon’s gear, too.  Comfy, hot, cute, and so many other adjectives describe the yoga wear you’ll find at Lululemon.  Check it out, great gifts abound for your favorite yoga lover.

Peacekeeper Cosmetics

The colors and products are great, the cause is magnificent.  PeaceKeeper is the first cosmetic line to donate all of its after-tax and distributable profits to Women’s Health Advocacy and Human Rights issues.  Makes you feel kind of good for indulging in a little nail color and lipstick ;-).  Shop to your heart’s content for yourselves, family or friends this holiday season and truly help make the world a more beautiful place.

Well those are some of my holiday wishes and treats, for me and for you!  Hope you holidays are bountiful, peaceful and filled with joy.

For Your Favorite Foodies

I love my trips to the West Side Market here in Cleveland. A huge, wonderful ethnic marketplace located on our near west side.  But in truth, I do love the Whole Foods.  The folks at Whole Foods offer these tips for shopping for your favorite “foodies” over the holidays:

-Looking for a gift for for the food lover in your life?  Maybe a stocking stuffer? Whole Foods recommends these gifts for all budgets, including some under $5 and $10. Click here to learn more

-Make quick gift-wrapping a breeze with the Better Bag, only .79 for a small, .99 for the large size

-Like they say, “wrap up your gifts for the holidays without ever leaving the house.”  Find gift ideas, recipes and create printable gift tags from your very own kitchen this holiday season on the Whole Foods site, too!

Now that you’ve got a few ideas to work with, don’t forget to take the time to give thanks, and meditate about your life and its greater purpose as you navigate your way through this busy time of year.  Here’s hoping the universe blesses all of you with happiness, love and unending joy this holiday season.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

Peace and Really Good Stuff for Your Holidays

Yes, yoga has taught me yet another lesson. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or be a conspicuous consumer to be happy or have nice, meaningful things or a beautiful existence.

One of the key lessons of yoga is that it teaches you to appreciate the simpler things in life. To be present. To be in the moment. This practice alone has not only helped to quiet my mind, in recent months it has also saved me a lot of money.

In fact, my shopping habits have changed significantly. I buy less processed, ready-to-serve foods and eat more healthfully and more simply. I’m cooking at home and packing my lunch a lot more, and it is making a big difference.

Instead of heading out to malls, I now spend my time looking for vintage and resale shops, and I am finding a lot of bargains, not to mention a lot of cool, unique and thoughtful items for my home and my wardrobe that aren’t mass-produced.

Now I will say this–it does take a little more time to shop this “new” way. But even that aspect alone is an exercise in mindfulness for me. It has taught me that I don’t need to scoop up every new and shiny thing that I see, but instead to take the time to really scavenge through and find what I am looking for. And I feel a lot better when I return home from shopping these days. I know I have spent the time and have been aware of every purchase I make, which has really helped me fight off the urges and impulses that used to leave my credit card on the verge of melting, and my bank account deflated.

I am also finding that I value things now, much more so. When I go back and look at what I have purchased, having taken the time and put some thought into it, I am finding that I really like what I have brought home much more than in the past. Those old shopping days when I would spin through a mall, bring home bags of stuff and often wind up disappointed that I had spent so much, and gotten so little satisfaction are over. This change in my way of thinking has really transcended across every area of my life, and now it is saving me money and making me feel more peaceful and content. That’s really saying something.

Now that I am thinking about it, I am going to sign off, hit my mat and see what else awaits me. It’s really quite a journey. It’s helping me in even the most unexpected ways.

I would love to hear about everyone’s journey toward a more sustainable lifestyle. There are so many creative ways to think about improving your daily life that are as unique as each individual in the universe. Let’s really be sustainable together, and share some of these ideas with each other.

I can’t wait to hear.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

A Simpler Life Can Be Beautiful

Just sitting here on this cold and snowy Friday in northeast Ohio, making Thanksgiving and holiday plans, and thinking about the blessings in my life.

While I can always think of something to be cautious or worry about (sorry, healthy skeptic in recovery here), I have to say, my practices–both yoga and meditation–have not only changed my life, they’ve made my thoughts healthier, too.

There are so many areas of my life where I can see change and positive energy, that in the past I had either overlooked or not even considered.  My practices have spurred me to take self-care more seriously, made me more accepting of myself and others, and helped me appreciate the universe on so many levels. 

Where I used to look and see nothing but obstacles, I see opportunity.  I am more vigilant in my relationships, not to mention a great deal kinder and more open-minded.  The best thing–I feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.  I am more curious about the world around me and how things fit together, and, sometimes, how they don’t, and maybe even shouldn’t.

Yoga and meditation are nothing new.  But they are growing in popularity, and based on my own experience and evolution, I am not at all surprised.  Really, nothing feels better than being in touch with your own body, mind and spirit, and understanding and owning your decisions.  It’s very freeing and peaceful.

We’ll all be posting holiday shopping pages in coming days.  I plan to find as many ways as I can to open up the door to a more centered way of life for as many of my readers as possible.  I really want to share what this lifestyle has done for me.  I have gone from being extremely anxious and stressed-out, and moved on to a much more relaxed, peaceful and accepting place.  And it has been a natural and healthy transition. 

I’d love to hear from all of you about your success stories.  I hope you’ll share.  It’s a cold–but great–time of the year to share thoughts and feelings.  Let me know how yoga and meditation have worked in your lives. Sometimes just sharing our ideas can help lift another soul.

Peace. 

Post from: EveryJoe

How Have Yoga and Meditation Changed Your Life?

Got a headache?  I do tonight.  Here’s what I am going to go do right after I log off.  It has really helped me in the past, hope it works wonders again tonight.

It’s called the Supported Headstand, or Salamba Sirsasana.  And it goes like this:

-Put a pad or your mat on the floor, and kneel down

- Clasp your hands, intertwining your fingers. Set your forearms on the floor

-Roll your upper arms slightly outward, while pressing the insides of your wrists firmly into the floor

-Position the crown of your head on the floor.  Gently push your hands together, and cup the back of your head with your hands

-Inhale, and lift your knees slowly off the floor

-Slowly walk your feet closer to your elbows, while keeping your heels elevated

-Press the shoulder blades against your back, and lift them up towards the tailbone

-Exhale and lift your feet off the floor. Be sure to lift both of your feet at the same time. Bend your knees if necessary to do this

-Continue to press your shoulder blades against your back; widen them if needed to give you more support

-Beginners should probably hold this for about 10 seconds only.  Advanced practitioners should be able to hold the pose about three minutes. Bring youself down slowly with an exhale

Ok, this should take care of my headache.  Give it a try, and take it slowly at first.  It really relieves headache stress and pressure, and soothes your mind.  Really nice.

Peace 

Post from: EveryJoe

Got a Headache? Give This Pose a Try

I do everything I can to watch what I eat.  Sometimes, too much.  Already a vegetarian.  Thinking about going vegan.  But first, I think I might go to a “sub-class” of vegetarian nutrition–the raw food vegetarian.

It makes sense. Raw vegetables, fruits and greens are the healthiest things you can put into your body.   But there are people out there who are eating what I call “raw beyond the pale”–consuming raw eggs, raw dairy products, and yes, raw meats.  Organ meats in particular. 

I can do the raw fruits and vegetables.  Nuts, legumes, etc., too.  But a raw kidney snack?  Come on.  I mean, come on.  These individuals call themselves “Native Nutritionists,” and they try to eat like ancient tribes did many, many years ago.  I’m sorry, but we have come a long way.  For example, we have refrigeration.  And electricity.  And safe drinking water. 

I can see the case for raw vegetables and fruits.  Some raw foods do contain living enzymes that aid digestion, and are destroyed when cooked.  So I am going to experiment a little with raw food vegetarianism. It may advance my ongoing quest for inner peace, outer calm and a healthier body. But going native?  Sorry to say, liver and onions as a kid was bad enough.  A big, flopping slab of live liver as an adult–no way.  Not happening.  To everyone out there who is giving it a try, bless you for your bravery, and be sure you get your shots.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

How “Raw” Will I Go?

The healing ways of Ayurveda are so plentiful, they can even make getting up in the morning a pleasure.

Try some of these rituals for a lovely, relaxing way to start your day tomorrow. Give them a try and see for yourself. You might even want to make them a part of your daily routine.

As part of its approach, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of developing morning rituals that help balance your body with nature, and work your doshas. It’s true-building just one of these practices into your daily routine can change the way you experience your day.

-Get up before the sun rises. It’s a simple–and somewhat difficult push for many of us, but the early morning air is believed to possess special qualities and energies. Ayurvedic philosophy holds that Vata energy fills the earth’s atmosphere during pre-dawn hours. And the bonus–if you’ve already awakened your body by the time the sun rises, you’re more than ready to meet the day when the sun comes up.

-Get your body moving. A very soothing Ayurvedic practice is drinking a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon or lime. The warm water wakes up your intestines and tummy. The lemons and limes are high in vitamins and minerals, which can help loosen the toxins in your digestive tract.

-Wake up your face. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but waking up your face after a sound night’s sleep can be a challenge. You’re puffy and dehydrated. Ayurveda recommends splashing the face with water. Try seven splashes–seven is an important number, as it represents the number of chakras or energy centers in your body. Well, this does feel good. And I find it a relaxing way to refresh my skin in the morning.

-Douse your eyes. While you’re at it, splash your eyes, too. I’ve actually done this by accident, before trying any type of Ayurvedic practice, and it felt good, even then. Try splashing your open eyes with cool water in the morning. It’s believed to help balance your dosha, and it does wake up your eyeballs. You might even try lukewarm water at first. This feels good, too.

-Eat lightly. Yes breakfast is the most important meal. But according to Ayurveda, morning is the time to get your body exercising and moving, so it’s recommended you eat lightly, maybe some fruit, vegetable juice or yogurt. Some whole grains are always a good choice.

Lovely ways to start your day, and hopefully, rituals that will become day-changers for you too!

Post from: EveryJoe

Good Morning, Sunshine

The benefits of yoga are fairly simple to calculate and see.  You become more flexible.  You feel stronger.  You have improved balance and coordination. You breathe easier.

Because we are employing our minds to do all of the work, sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable.  The benefits are extraordinary, however.  A stronger sense of peace.  An improved sense of ourselves and our impact.  And utimately, a fuller awareness of ourselves, others and the world around us. Increasing our awareness–our ability to exist in the here and now–is probably the most important aspect of meditation.  At least in my view. 

The simple fact that meditation has the ability to help us turn down the volume inside our own minds–and turn off the negative thoughts and feelings we all experience is so freeing, so amazing.  It quite literally gives us each the opportunity to wipe out negative, past programming and rewrite how our minds, bodies and spirits process information and react to our own environments.  As we become more aware of the troubling, pervasive thoughts that can sometime invade our minds when we least expect them, we can more easily shut them down and move on to a better, healthier place. And we actually feel better physically, too.

With meditation and thought we are offering ourselves a choice–do I want to live an abundant life, or do I want to dwell in negativity?  Should I continue to think this way about my job, my friends, etc., or do I want to think differently?  Meditation can clarify all of these questions for us, drawing us more deeply into our thoughts, to a place where we can see them for what they are, sort them out and make the best choices for ourselves. 

Meditation can deepen our yoga practices.  It can also deepen and expand our lives.  Once you begin to focus on the source and context of your thoughts, you can begin to heal and move away from the fear and negativity that we all feel some days, and lead a more productive, positive life in full awareness.  I suggest journaling as you undertake this exercise–and in many ways–exorcism. Soon you will see a pattern for the way you think.  Then address each of these issues, and move forward into the present. You’ll find yourself forgiving yourself and others for past pains and transgressions, and will begin living a fuller, happier life–today.

Peace. 

Post from: EveryJoe

Why Meditation is So Important

Ugh, I am really feeling this post.  With all of the stresses and obligations we each have, there is just no way around it–we are all plagued by “busyness.” children, school, work, friends, volunteering in our communities.  Everyone I know is just plain old tapped out.

It hit home for me this weekend.  On Friday night–yes, Friday–I sat and pondered everything I am responsible for, owe people (favors and work), committed to and can’t set aside.  It just got to be too much.  At one point I was lying in bed and my legs were vibrating, for lack of a better description.  Eventually it passed, but good grief!

I’m a pretty active person.  I hate ignoring my practice, workouts and other healthier endeavors for my work–hate it.  But I decided to take it down a notch after the ”leg-shaking” incident.  Since Friday night I have been focusing heavily on meditation.  I feel a lot more relaxed.

Lesson here?  Just give yourself a break.  You can’t be everything to everyone–not even yourself.  But if you are anything like me, even though you may cognitively understand this, it is really difficult to accept it.  The only way I have been able to moderate my desire to do everything on my “to do” list over the last few days has been to turn inward and medidate.

For me, it’s “the cure.”  I’ve been able to quiet myself, slow down my ADD lifestyle, and pare down my own expectations to a realistic set of things I truly MUST do.  It sounds so simple, and there are naysayers out there.

But if you’re experiencing the same thing, I suggest you tune out the world and tune into your own thoughts and feelings through meditation.  It’s soothing, healing and actually quite practical.  

I promise, it will bring you peace.  Now, if I could just get a few days of vacation…:-)

Truly, Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

Take a step back, breathe and meditate

It’s harvest time in many parts of the world.  Today, Canada gave thanks for it’s blessings. For me, harvest is a time to think about how I’ve “grown” during the year, and how I hope to grow even more.  And when I make a list of what I’d like to work on, my yoga and meditation practices almost always top, or hover near the top of the list. 

There are countless reasons to get involved with yoga and meditation.  More than I can list here.  

But the single best reason to get involved in a well-rounded practice that encompasses both yoga and meditation is the sense of peace you gain from every move, every breath. 

Think about it. You increase your peace of mind.  You feel more at peace with the universe and nature.  You extend that sense of peace and mindfulness to others. 

At its core, yoga is all about achieving harmony with yourself, others and the universe.  The physical practice of yoga creates a natural realignment of your body, which leads to a natural realignment of your perception of life, and of who you are.

The act of meditation speaks for itself.  The central goal of meditation is to bring inner peace within ourselves in a positive and spiritual way.  Both complex and pure, a focused meditation practice will reap you the rewards of mindfulness and feeling present every day of your life.   

There are many organizations and individuals who believe that if you practice yoga or meditation in pursuit of world peace, the positive energy you produce from your practices will yield a global sense of well-being.  I don’t think they’re wrong. Think about it. If we all took a deep breath, were fully present and mindful before we acted, and took the time to become more centered through our yoga practices, wouldn’t the world be a more peaceful place?

Hard to believe (well, not really :-)), but I have “harvested” a few more wonderful reasons to build and grow my practice.  I hope I’ve given you a few more, too.

Peace. 

Post from: EveryJoe

What Yoga Teaches You: Harvest Peace for Yourself and the Planet