I had the sheer pleasure and honor of being one of the photographers at Wanderlust Squaw Valley yoga festival this summer.
Here are a few samplings:
Click to enlarge.
Bill and I are yogis – enjoying the practice 4 times a week keeps us committed, flexible and forever trying to be present.
Shavasana is when we are to be most present. Per Wikipedia it is intended to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. In Shavasana, practitioners’ breath deepens, and the stress of the day is released. The yogi forgets all other thoughts and surrenders any psychological effort. While in Shavasana, yogis slip into blissful neutrality and reflect on the practice.
Yeah right – we also make plans and lists….
However, travel – from experiencing all the beauty in between using a bathroom with urine overflowing the brim to seeing a dead man laying on the street – gives me the most opportunities to be “present”.
Everything is new. Engaged in our surroundings there is no room for lists and planning and there are no expectations.
I always thought golf, scuba diving and being with the kids made me present. However, upon reflection golf is just a plain masochistic way of being present – scuba diving has me constantly looking for sharks and being with the kids (best of all) still has me being the mom.
World exploration is good for the soul. It has helped me become more accepting and tolerant. I am constantly learning. Reflection and deeper thinking has lead to more understanding.
When present I don’t have time to fear. It affords me the opportunity to get out of my head.
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
Winter Yoga Wonderland. A dusting of snow makes for clean, peaceful, fresh mornings.
January 8, 2016
One for the record books…
In the little town of Woodfords, California (population 150) people from the surrounding communities of California and Nevada lined up to buy a ticket for a 1 in 292.2 million chance at winning the Powerball.
It was quite a day in the sleepy town – police car front and center – frontage road closed to thru traffic and a flashing road sign warned about an event ahead.
People stood in line in the 25 degree temperature dreaming about what they would do with their winnings and sharing stories.
We bought tickets for Saturday’s drawing and a few more for next Wednesday’s just in case there is not a winner on Saturday – figuring the line would be miles long.
Good luck everyone.
Feeling grateful on my yoga mat.
January 4, 2016