How Yoga Helps Me Run 06/12/2010
 Today I did my long run of the week, 9 miles. I'm building up one mile a week and have started doing 1 or 2 of my weekly runs on a treadmill. Well treadmills bore the crap out of me. Especially 9 miles on a treadmill, (I might as well express myself freely here right!) and I found my mind wandering. My mind really started wandering at about mile 4 or 5. I had had a cramp in my side for a few miles and I think I was trying to escape the discomfort by being in my head. I also was periodically feeling like I needed some replenishment and even getting a little light headed. (I listened to my body and gave it some water here and there as well as a bite of a cliff bar mid run.) I needed to change something if I was going to last for 9 miles. I remembered how part of the benefit of savasana after an asana practice is that it is a time for your mind to rest so that your body can use all of that energy for healing. Mental energy is energy used by your mind that could otherwise be saved for your body. At that point I consciously directed my awareness into my core, and 1st and 2nd chakras. I thought about and felt my body being energized through the first chakra, and the 1st chakra taking in energy from the earth. Any time I started feeling a little less energized or light headed I was reminded to stop thinking and come back into my body awareness. With the help of this awareness, I was able to make it through my 9 mile run strong. Yoga has given me so much body awareness that comes in so useful in other areas of my life. Yoga gives my body more flexibility to help prevent injury in other activities, it teaches my body to find peace in my breath even in physically challenging circumstances, and yoga helps me be more aware so I can find more enjoyment in staying physically, spiritually and emotionally open. Presence Power! 05/01/2010
 So much of our stress comes from not being present. When we hurry or worry we are projecting ourselves into the future and when we think about what we "could have" or "should have" done we are projecting into the past. One of the biggest blessings of a yoga asana practice is the power that it has to make you more present in your life. This presence power comes from being in your breath and truly feeling and listening to your body at the moment of your practice. It is so healing and does wonders for your spirit! Make time to bless your life with an asana practice 3-4 times a week even if it only lasts for 15 minutes! Set a goal that is doable for you, breath, and enjoy. Thoughts on Recycling 02/02/2010
I had some thoughts on recycling today as I broke down a cereal box to stick in the can. Several months ago I was in my pantry and had a distinct personal revelation, or inner voice that said, "Every little bit counts." Since then I have made a little more diligent effort to recycle every piece that can be recycled although it takes a little more effort to clean out some of the containers from food or break down a box. My thought today was of how each of us uses the Earth's resources. We all use paper that came from our trees, we drive on the roads and we walk on sidewalks from cement and asphault that got dug out of the sides of our mountains and we live in houses built with wood. We all use our portion of the Earth's resources and it's not asking much for each of us to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" every little bit we can. Every little bit counts! Home Energy Conservation 11/11/2009
This month I attented a very information class on energy conservation. Let me share some of the helpful tips they gave to help you save money on your heat and electric bills. -Replace the filters in your home and in your furnace. These are inexpensive and when they are clean it cuts down the workload. -Clean out the vent under your refrigerator. Just take off the front of the vent and stick the long, skinny attachment on your vacuum. Also make sure to not cover the vent in your freezer with food. -After someone in your family takes a bath, leave the water in the tub until it cools off rather than draining it. The extra heat and humidity will warm up the room and save you a little on your heating bill. -When you wash dishes, turn off the dry cycle and let your dishes dry themselves. -After baking, leave the over door cracked and let the heat warm your kitchen. (Only safe with no little kids of course.) -As you can afford it, replace the light bulbs in your home, starting with the ones you use the most with energy saver lights. (Costco has them for a good price.) -Turn off anything you are not using . . . i.e. your computer, your TV and VCR . . . turning "phantom power" off will save you a lot over time. If your TV, surround sound, etc are plugged into one of those big multi-plug things (techinical I know) just switch the whole thing off whenever its not in use. -Wash laundry with cold water whenever possible. Recommended Reading List 09/04/2009
I mentioned the recommended reading list in the last blog and I just want to point it out again. I will periodically add books to this list that are beneficial and educational with yoga and with becoming more spiritually in tune. I would love to hear back from any of you who decide to read some of these books. The list is on the bottom right of this blog page. Let Go of the Reigns 08/28/2009
Know the blessings of happiness through your trust and faith in God. - John Morton (From: You Are the Blessings, p. 62) Miraculous You! 08/20/2009
The premise of nutritional and herbal healing is that your body is an amazing miracle. It is always functioning properly and knows exactly how to heal itself. It is divine! All we need to do to allow our bodies to heal is provide them with the resources they need, whether that be provided through nutrition, herbs, energy, or in the case of yoga, oxygen. When you provide the resources, your body is a miraculous self healer. There is a quote that says, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." Take the time to show some self love through what you put into the vehicle you've been given. The more you show up on your mat to honor yourself, the easier it will become to demonstrate that same self love in the kitchen. Namaste! Parenting Quote and Thought 08/08/2009
"Step into the Light of God and then deal with your children from there. If you try to deal with them out of the authority of your own ego, they may challenge that continually. They may submit, but they won't respect that authority. Authority grounded in loving and Spirit may also be challenged, but there will be recognition, on some level, of the truth of that authority." - John-Roger (From: Fulfilling Your Spiritual Promise, p. 1113) I read this quote yesterday morning and was not able to apply it as well as I would have liked to. I can blame it on pregnancy hormones but I know I could have done better regardless. Last night I remembered a few things I read in a spiritual parenting book a few years ago. One was to speak to your children in a firm, SOFT voice, to practice speaking softly and respectfully. Another helpful tip I remembered is to take a time out from the possible chaos to calm down if necessary. Things can be always be dealt with a few moments later once you have given yourself a chance to "step into the Light of God." If you're anything like me, you may not find yourself there without a little conscious effort. A little awareness and effort everyday, even on just a few occasions will get you a long way. Ground the authority in LOVE! Green Cleaning with Tea Tree Oil 08/06/2009
 Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca Alternifolia and is native to Australia. With it’s antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil makes a great all-natural household cleaner. All-Purpose Cleaner: Use 15 drops of tea tree oil to 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Use on counter tops or for general cleaning. Mold Killer: Combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray on mold and don’t rinse. Laundry Disinfectant: Add one teaspoon of tea tree oil per load to disinfect laundry such as diapers or to prevent transmission of fungal infections. Happy green cleaning! taken from www.thegreenmomreview.com P.S. This is a great disinfectant for your yoga mat! Connection 07/23/2009
"The true saint goes in and out amongst the people and eats and sleeps with them and buys and sells in the market and marries and takes part in social intercourse, and never forgets God for a single moment." -Abu Sa'id ibn Abi I-Tkayr | About Me
Amber Gurr I was first introduced to yoga in 2001 and quickly fell in love. In 2004, I completed my 500 hour teacher training with D'ana Baptiste and have done annual trainings since that time with notable teachers such as Mark Whitwell, David Williams, Baron Baptiste and Rolf Gates. I love teaching and I love seeing yoga bless both the physical and spiritual aspects of people's lives. I have a husband and 4 little boys, ages 9, 3, 2 and 0 that keep me busy and playing. I decided that now is the time for me to be home with my family so now I just sub a yoga class here and there. I also am a nutritional herbalist, herbalist, doula, have an Associates degree in music, teach piano and do some energy readings and healing here and there. I am excited to share some of the tid bits of truth that I have come across that have shaped my life thus far and hope that this sharing will assist many others in their journey. Namaste! |