Non-Attatchment

Learning about non-attachment has been a long journey for me to date. I was reading yesterday and came accross a tiny article talking about Ishvara Pranidhana(IP), or non-attachment to one's actions. I spend alot of time trying(albeit, not successfully yet ) to practice Aparigraha, which is non-attatchment to things. These are slightly different and to be honest, I forgot all about IP until reading said article. This was posted after a woman's story of doing a iron man race. Swimming, cycling, running. Very challenging! But this practice teaches us to focus on the quality of an act rather than the outcome. The joy comes from doing the act itself, not the outcome. It makes everything into practice. It allows the burden of our ego to be dropped. I love this idea. You can read an article by Shiva Rea here

I tried to use this idea during my yoga practice this morning. It really helped bring me back to my breath and forget about the ego, clear my head and stay in the pose longer. It felt more...peaceful.

Fit for a Queen shrug

Inspiration strikes me at the strangest times. Mostly while I'm laying in bed trying to sleep (lol). Yesterday morning I felt inspired, inspired to do my yoga practice. Let me tell you the yoga mat that resides in the house had quite a bit of dust on it (I keep 2 in the car for those times when the mood strikes to veer off into a yoga studio). So I rolled out the mat, lit up some incense, put on my favorite yoga cd (Kerala, which includes sounds of the beach in Kerala) and started my practice. It felt wonderful. I had to ask myself, why is it that I don't do this everyday anymore. My fellow artists, if you are looking to unleash your creativity, unroll your mat. My fellow sleepless friends, if you are looking for a great night's sleep, unroll your mat. I tell you this because this 45 minute practice made both of those things possible. I sleep like a baby the night after doing a yoga practice. I also was inspired to create my newest shrug. I had the shrug knit already, but I knew I wanted to embelish it in a special way. I felt inspired to add the beautiful vintage lace that has been patiently awaiting it's turn at greatness. And the pretty floral beads that I picked up in Pennington at a stellar bead shop that mom and I stumbled upon. I love the way it came out. I think it looks a little steampunk~ish, a little "royal". Different. In a good way. I'm thrilled with it, hopefully I can get Rae to model it for me this weekend. So my point here, roll out that mat, find your peace and inspiration, give your body the movement it craves!