tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125127036827767922024-03-13T11:49:23.810-07:00Body Grace Fitness and YogaJan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-64798650490307664692017-07-13T06:28:00.000-07:002017-07-13T06:28:19.056-07:00An Ode to Spring 2017“What we <i>do see depends mainly on what we look for. ... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.” </i><br />― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in<br /><br />
Unlike last year, when I had moving boxes to unpack, home construction projects, and a new commute blinding me from the beauty of spring, this year I was more awake. I found raspberry plants on our property loaded with fruit, and picked pounds of strawberries at a local field. I discovered bluebirds nesting in one of our bird boxes, which was a thrill, and watched the koi spawn that resembled a beautifully choreographed water ballet, something I won’t soon forget. An up-close and personal encounter with a friendly hummingbird who decided it needed a little shower while I watered the garden is a moment I will cherish forever. And while all of these experiences were memorable, nothing can compare to our cherry blossoms and bees. <br /><br />We have ten mature Yoshino Cherry Trees bordering one side of our driveway that put on a spectacular show when in full bloom! The blossoms start as white, but then get a tiny hint of pink after several days. What I noticed this spring, however, is how the blossoms seemed to transform into little blank canvasses for a palette of soft, muted colors as they reflected the light and shadows of the environment. The trees mimicked the colors of the sunrise from pre-dawn grays, dark purples, and dusty rose into more vibrant pinks, and a light salmon color as the sun crested over the hill. On a bright sunny afternoon, they had a pale buttery color; and the blooms took on a fluorescent-like white juxtaposed against dark, stormy skies. One chilly, blustery day, I sat watching an ethereal cherry blossom blizzard, the ground polka-dotted in thousands of pink and white petals, feeling sad that the blooms had faded, but also anticipating the next color to appear; green. <br /><br />One warm spring day I decided to take my yoga and meditation practice outside, and as I was walking under the trees, I noticed a steady buzzing, humming sound that made me stop and intently listen. Was someone in the neighborhood running a motor or piece of machinery? Were my ears still clogged from a cold? Am I developing tinnitus!? These were my thoughts as I stood there listening, trying to unclog my ears. After a few moments, I shrugged it off, and continued on my way, grateful that the buzzing in my ears magically disappeared, only to have it return an hour later as I walked back up the hill toward the cherry trees. Puzzled, I stood under the trees again, listening. What was that sound? <br /><br />I wasn’t going to solve the case of the strange buzzing noise by tilting my head from side-to-side trying to unclog my ears, nor walking down my driveway looking up the road. No, I needed to change my perspective; I needed to look up, of which I eventually did, discovering the source of all the buzz. Bees! Hundreds, if not thousands of bees! I’ve never seen and apparently heard, that many bees. I was in awe! I walked from tree to tree, looking up, watching them fly from blossom to blossom. The trees were buzzing with activity! <br /><br />So how many times in my life have I walked around with tunnel vision, not opening myself up to a more panoramic view, missing awe-inspiring moments like hundreds of bees right above my head? Probably more times than I'd like to admit because sometimes it’s easier for me to let distractions blind me from life’s miracles, and meaningful moments. And could it be that the walls of my tunnel vision get built out of the busyness I choose to create? Seeing the cherry blossom trees with their kaleidoscope of colors, and the buzzing of the bees taught me to see less myopically, to let go of some of my unnecessary distractions and notice the fish, the blue birds, a hummingbird and the resurrection of spring from a new perspective. <br /><br />Summer is here now with its relaxed personality. Can I let the lessons from spring bleed over into this new season and notice all the wonderment that nature brings in the summertime? Can I bring this awareness to other aspects of my life? Can I look in all directions, from every perspective, to find those meaningful moments, to make wiser decisions, to live an open-minded life? I hope so. My tunnel-vision will inevitability turn on, but with some practice and the lesson of the buzzing bees, maybe I’ll be able to turn it off sooner to live a fully present life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>“Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.” </i><br />― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem<br /><br /><br /><br />Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-32246226252367551972016-10-24T13:50:00.004-07:002016-10-24T13:50:56.158-07:00A Rainy Day in Leesburg<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Welcome falling rain!<br />Thirsty roots drink blissfully,<br />Parched no more, revived.</span></span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Greetings!<br /><br />I
have been home here in Leesburg enjoying this much-needed rain,
listening to the rain pattering on my roof, nursing a head cold and
writing a haiku. I have also been watching a turtle slowly trek his way
to our pond. He has a long way to go, but I am betting that he will make
it, eventually! I like his quiet, but strong determination. I
appreciate his deliberate, mindful pace, and the fact that he takes
frequent breaks to chill out when necessary. So far on his commute he
has traveled 45 feet in seven hours. No accident on the beltway or
subway shutdown is slowing him down; he is a turtle, doing what turtles
naturally do, taking his time. After a considerable journey, and at the
rate he is going, it’s probably safe to say that he will make it to the
pond sometime in the near future,</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"> and I </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">for one will be cheering him on from the sidelines, envious of his leisurely trip and laid-back demeanor.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"></span></span></span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-51998340209762541272016-03-31T07:49:00.001-07:002016-03-31T07:52:30.804-07:00Quelling Rumors<style>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“Rumor travels faster,
but it don’t stay put as long as truth.” --Will Roger</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I was entering the
studio to teach one morning, <i>The ABC’s of
Life</i>, a wall plaque hanging in the reception area caught my eye, and one of
the sayings jumped out at me; Quell Rumors. I don’t use the word quell very
often in my vocabulary, so I looked it up. I assumed it meant to end or stop
something, but it also means to calm something such as fear and worry. Recently
it was brought to my attention that some rumors regarding the future of Body
Grace have been spreading around town, so I’d like to share with you the truth,
and calm the situation; quelling the rumors.</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The building that Body
Grace is in and the long, red brick building next door were sold to new owners
in the fall of 2015. Therefore, I have a new landlord who is honoring my
existing lease to 2018. The new owners, a development group, do have plans to
tear down the buildings, and as is the case with much of Vienna, begin
revamping the Mill Street area. It is my understanding, after meeting with my
landlord a couple of weeks ago, that they are probably three to five years from
doing that. Getting plans drawn, and zoning approved, as many of you know, can
be a long, drawn-out process of countless meetings and bureaucracy, so there is
no truth to the rumor that the buildings are coming down anytime soon.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear friends, Body Grace
is open for business, and thanks to you doing just fine! I promise to be
transparent, and let you know should any new developments come up. Armed with
the truth, is how we quell rumors, so please don’t ever hesitate to contact me
if you hear something that you question, or you have a concern. I love Body
Grace and our community, so it is important to me that the rumors are put to
rest and the truth be shared.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span>
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Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-16061030159458343322015-12-16T08:01:00.000-08:002015-12-16T08:01:02.119-08:00God-incidences<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Let me address the rumors that are going around, as some of you have seen the sign that is up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">in
my front yard, that Bob and I are indeed moving; we are relocating to
Leesburg. And to put your mind at rest, Body Grace is not closing, and
will continue to be part of the Vienna community. I’ll be commuting to
the studio a few days per week to keep the studio open, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">and to teach.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Almost
35 years ago, Bob Crerie and Jan Gilliam drove up to a little, brick
house in Vienna, with an inviting front porch, in a friendly
neighborhood, and knew instinctively that this was the</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">place
we had been looking for to start a life together. We rented at first
but eventually ended up buying the place, adding on and renovating it. I
addressed our wedding invitations in this</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">house;
we raised two beautiful daughters here, and three German Shepherds, and
in the last few years, our grandsons have come to know this house and
the town of Vienna. I can honestly say that we have walked in Glyndon
Park just about every day for the last 35 years. Saying good-bye to our
home is extremely sad, but we are also excited about our move.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">A
God-incidence is a word Bob, and I use for when circumstances align so
perfectly there is no denying that a higher power is at work. It is not
happenstance or a fluke, but those times when we feel like something is
just meant to be. We </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">felt
it 35 years ago with our sweet little house in Vienna, and recently we
felt it again with a piece of property outside of Leesburg.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">We
came to the realization over the summer that our original plan of
rebuilding our house here in Vienna to better suit our needs was going
to be hard on us financially, especially if Bob wants to retire in a few
years. Living in the country, with trees and nature around us, has
always been attractive to us, so we changed our plans and started
looking for a little piece of country life that was affordable. On a
whim, our daughter sent us a listing for a place just outside of
Leesburg; and on a whim, Bob and Jan Crerie drove up to a modest
rambler, sitting atop a hill, overlooking ten, picturesque acres and a
gorgeous pond. We knew instinctively that this is where the next
adventure of our life together will begin. A God-incidence.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Right
now we are tackling the purging of stuff from our house, which includes
scary closets, a particularly frightening room, and a terrifying attic!
We are also weeding through a whole bunch of memories. We’ve had fun
going through our old junk; we’ve cried and laughed a lot, and we’ve
questioned our judgment on why we saved individual items.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">I
have been trying to practice what I teach during this time of upheaval
and stress. Making time to keep up with my workouts and yoga practices
has helped me keep my energy level up, and my sanity intact! But I must
admit that I have my melancholy days too. Leaning on my family has been
a Godsend, but being at the studio has been a saving grace too. I only
have to step into the peace, warmth, and love that resonates at the
studio and know that I still have a home in Vienna.</span></span><br /><br />
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-70935492586948075302015-12-07T14:06:00.004-08:002015-12-07T14:06:44.834-08:00Change
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There's a
trick to the Graceful Exit.<br />
It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage,<br />
a relationship is over - and to let go.<br />
It means leaving what's over without denying its value.”<br />
- Ellen Goodman</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(American journalist)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You’ve gotta know when it’s time to turn the page.”</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tori Amos</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Music artist) </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change and I have never had an easy relationship. I am a
regimented person, any variance from my routine can throw me off kilter, and I
do not make spontaneous decisions well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I see a big change coming, I’ve been known to run the other way.
But change usually finds me, sometimes sweet-talking me out of hiding,
sometimes dragging me out, reluctantly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Intellectually, I know that change can be good, that change is
inevitable, that progress does not exist without the transformational power of
change, but letting go can be emotionally draining, no matter how spiritually
uplifting or life changing it ends up being. And I also know that change can
have an ugly side, blindsiding us with hard life circumstances. Maybe that’s
the side of change that keeps us humble, letting us know that ultimately we are
not in control of the Universe. Change can be our best friend too; when we feel
comfortable with a new transition; when we intuitively make the right decision;
when it’s time to turn the page. I don’t know about you, but I always feel
physically lighter when that happens. Recently, saying good-bye to a place I
had been teaching at for twenty-five years was not only a big change, but an
emotional one too.</div>
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Body Grace was born and raised at Vienna Presbyterian
Church, and for that opportunity I will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i>
be grateful. But just like the letting go that happens between a parent and a
child, it was time to make a “graceful exit,” moving the final class out of the
church, and into the studio. In 1990, I appeared before the church’s Board of
Trustees to get approval to start a weekly fitness class. There were some board
members and congregants who disapproved. They felt that a fitness class had no
business existing in a place of worship. My presentation, based on passages
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 Corinthians</i>, was that our
bodies are temples, that we are connected physically, mentally and spiritually,
and what affects one, can affect them all. I’m sure that sounded a little “New
Age-y” in 1990, but how exciting it is twenty-five years later to see the
scientific evidence backing this up! Permission for a trial session was
granted, and that one class eventually led to the birth of Body Grace. I will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forever </i>love and appreciate all the
people who supported me throughout the years, and who spoke up for me when I
needed it the most. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change can be hard to embrace, particularly when it uproots
us with unexpected life experiences: When it messes with our routines; with our
health; with our faith; with our emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But change can also help us undergo positive transformations, like a
spiritual makeover, enlightening us with a new perspective. Change can help
intensify our connection physically, mentally and spiritually, and Body Grace
is a manifestation of that belief; a belief that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have not </i>strayed from in twenty-five years. To me Body Grace is a
sacred place, within the larger community, where all are welcome to take care
of their body, mind and spirit; a place to help deepen our relationships with
others, and with our self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-89695537625826669282015-04-20T15:12:00.004-07:002015-04-20T15:14:29.427-07:00Dear Spring<style>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i>“In the spring I have counted one
hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i> of four and twenty
hours.”</i> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-synthesis: weight style; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><i>Mark Twain
(1835 – 1910)</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Dear Spring, </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">What a prophetic description of March 2015 written by
Mark Twain over a century ago. Spring, you sure can be fickle. Stop teasing us! We humbly acknowledge that you are in
control. We understand that you want to make a dramatic entrance dressed in
your fine couture, and honestly, with all your beauty, who can blame you? But you’ve
already got us in the palm of your hand, sitting at the edge of our seats; we
are a captivated audience. Spring, we’ve
been patient, now show us some mercy, and reward our patience with a steady
performance of warmer, brighter days. We are so ready for the cold, gray curtain
of winter to lift, and <i>your </i>colorful,
spectacular show to begin. Spring, you have a rapt audience, now give us a
reason for a standing ovation.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Respectfully,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Jan Crerie</span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-79332958316342915792015-02-01T11:33:00.001-08:002015-02-01T11:33:53.289-08:00Welcome to my new Grandson<div style="text-align: center;">
Nash Robert Beech</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jan. 30 at 4:08 am</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6 lb. 14 oz.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtV7wx1tV-k/VM5_TOBzjKI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ijiVZsmyQBg/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtV7wx1tV-k/VM5_TOBzjKI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ijiVZsmyQBg/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEDIKHOYS6k/VM5_V5jtCOI/AAAAAAAAAEo/N49wSGk5UJU/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEDIKHOYS6k/VM5_V5jtCOI/AAAAAAAAAEo/N49wSGk5UJU/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDnGYmLjrqs/VM5_brhx9wI/AAAAAAAAAE4/2BKvgmiyTZg/s1600/IMG_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDnGYmLjrqs/VM5_brhx9wI/AAAAAAAAAE4/2BKvgmiyTZg/s1600/IMG_0173.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug3ueN4KUfw/VM5_emah11I/AAAAAAAAAFA/0NvP0lu5Fc4/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug3ueN4KUfw/VM5_emah11I/AAAAAAAAAFA/0NvP0lu5Fc4/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-65746028426850714762015-01-06T07:23:00.000-08:002015-01-06T07:23:24.664-08:00<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Another fresh new year is here...</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Another year to live!</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>To banish worry, doubt, and fear,</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>To love and laugh and give!</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>This bright new year is given me</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>To live each day with zest...</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>To daily grow and try to be</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>My highest and my best!</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>I have the opportunity</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Once more to right some wrongs,</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>To pray for peace, to plant a tree,</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>And sing more joyful songs!</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>- William Arthur Ward</em></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>(American scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)</em></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Happy New Year!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">I
read this poem at the end of last Friday morning's yoga practice. I
think it puts into words the way I see the new year, as a fresh new
start. To me the new year is like getting a brand new notebook at the
beginning of the school year, waiting to be filled with whatever the
assignments are for that particular subject. Usually by the end of the
year my notebooks would inevitably become an eclectic mix of assignments
I was required to do, and lots of doodles, not only in the margins but
on the covers too. To this day I still love to doodle finding it
relaxing, and meditative, helping me think. I would also write
expressive letters to myself, or others, filled with my observations
about the day, hopes, complaints, whatever the feeling du jour happened</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"> to be! Of course, these pages would get torn out leaving behind the telltale ragged pieces of paper.<br /><br />
Here it is again, a fine new notebook, entitled January 2015, and I am
just cracking it open to begin the process. Ironically this notebook
will look similar to my school ones. There will be </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">stuff
I have to do, all those responsibilities and obligations that come with
day-to-day life, but also making time for relaxation and fun. I will
try my best to be present with whatever life has in store for me this
year, accepting the fact that the ragged edges are just as important as
the smooth. And my notebook would not be complete without an abundance
of feelings yet to be</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">felt
and expressed. What I do know about this year is this, Body Grace will
continue to be a big part of my life, and I am looking forward to
experiencing 2015 with all of you!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">With warm gratitude,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Jan</span></span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-79573908054472380642014-04-06T13:31:00.000-07:002014-04-06T13:31:19.884-07:00A Fond Memory of Vienna's Mayor Jane Seeman
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>Mayor Seeman passed away on February 24, 2013.</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>This piece was printed shortly afterward in the Body Grace's March newsletter. </i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;">Miss Jane
was Nicole’s, my oldest daughter’s, first preschool teacher at the Vienna
Community Center. I had just given birth to my second daughter, Allison, in the
fall of 1988 and Nicole started attending shortly before then; she was 2-1/2
years old. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nicole
loved wearing dresses. One hectic morning she picked out a red jumper that my
mom had made for her, a white blouse, cute frilly white socks and her black
patent leather Mary Jane shoes, and off we went to drop her off at preschool.
As always Miss Jane was there to welcome everyone at the door so I dropped
Nicole off and came home looking forward to putting Allison and me down for a
nap, but as I walked by Nicole’s bedroom door I noticed something sitting on
her bed. What I found, after further inspection, was her underpants. Yes, I had
just sent my fancy dressed daughter to preschool commando style! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mortified,
I frantically grabbed Nicole’s underpants, placed Allison back into her car
seat, and drove back to the community center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I peeked in the window on the preschool door, caught Miss Jane’s eye and
waved for her to come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once she
stepped out into the hallway, I told her how embarrassed I was to have sent
Nicole to school without the proper undergarments, and in a down-to-earth,
non-judgmental way this is what she said to me: “You know Mrs. Crerie, Nicole
was really distressed at the beginning of class and when I asked her what the
problem was, she told me that her Mommy had forgotten to put underpants on her.
I told her I would give you a call to bring some to her, and that sometimes
Mommies forget things, especially when there is a new baby in the house, but in
the meantime, until you could get here, to just keep her legs together.” I
smiled – how could you not – nodded, thanked her for calming Nicole down, and
her good advice. When I glanced into the room, sure enough, while all the other
kids were sitting crossed-legged in their share circle, Nicole was sitting very
calmly with her legs straight out, glued shut. I took Nicole to the restroom, put
on her underpants, and I apologized to her for my forgetfulness, as well as for
any future issues I may have caused, which at the time she probably did not
understand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day Nicole has very
fond memories of being in Miss Jane’s preschool class for two years. Yes, she
does remember being distaught about not having underpants on, however she did
forgive me, and I can attribute that to the sweet way in which Miss Jane
handled the situation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.0pt;">Fast
forward twenty something years later and as I am unlocking the studio door one
afternoon, Mayor Jane drives up to drop off her granddaughter for a teen yoga
class. We chatted for a moment and she asked about my daughters, which I was so
impressed by. I told her that Nicole is a mom now, and we both agreed that time
flies by too quickly but that being a grandparent is wonderful! Jane asked me
how my business was doing. She truly cared about the success of the small
businesses in the community, and I for one, appreciated that. I will miss Jane
Seeman. She loved Vienna, and it showed. When I think of her, I will not only
think of Mayor Jane Seeman, a woman who believed in a strong community, but I
will also fondly remember Miss Jane, a caring, kind and compassionate preschool
teacher, who helped a little girl and a young mother through an awkward
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-1715939836135629092014-01-14T11:38:00.000-08:002014-01-14T11:38:12.400-08:00My Wisdom Teeth's Wisdom
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Little by little we human beings are confronted with
situations that give us more and more clues that we aren’t perfect.” – Mister
Rogers</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Well, this is embarrassing; I
forgot to breathe in a highly stressful situation. How many times in my yoga
classes have I said, “Slow, deep breathing helps regulate the heartbeat,
decrease the blood pressure, and calm the nervous system”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a safe bet to say at least weekly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I decided to have all four of
my wisdom teeth extracted over the holiday break after having some issues with
them this past year. General anesthesia would be a new experience for me,
causing me a lot of anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing
this, I focused on taking good care of myself before the appointment. I spent
time practicing calming breathing techniques, sitting more in meditation, and
making sure my diet was as clean and healthy as possible, not always easy
around the holidays! But even with all my self-care, on the morning of the
appointment I felt extremely nervous and scared. Fear is a necessary emotion.
On the plus side it allows us to protect ourselves when we feel threatened, but
it can also paralyze us, keep us stagnant, make us mute, and in my case, deaf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It would have been helpful,
sitting in the procedure chair, if I had listened to my own voice telling me to
take slow deep breaths, but I was deaf to it, and instead became fixated on the
heart rate monitor bleeping crazy rhythms, watching my blood pressure increase
and getting worried that the doctor would not find a vein in my arm for an IV.
I was getting upset with myself for not being able to control my body’s
reaction to a stressful situation. What I needed was a teacher’s voice, a voice
of reason, and that came from my youngest daughter, Allison, who was sitting in
the chair beside me and witnessing her mom losing her composure. One of my last
vivid memories of the morning was Allison putting her hand on my leg and saying
in a calm voice, “Mom, look at me. Let’s breathe together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">During the next couple of
days, healing took place in two different realms—my mouth and my ego. Boy, did
I beat myself up emotionally!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt
like a hypocrite. How could I not practice what I preach? Should I even be
teaching yoga? Really, how embarrassing for a yoga teacher to fall apart like
that! My thoughts were not pretty. And then I serendipitously came across the
above quote from one of my favorite spirit guides, Mister Rogers. His words, as
they so often do, pulled me out of my hypercritical attitude. I decided to give
myself a break and practice another one of my teachings: “letting go of
judgment.” I remembered times in my life where I had remained calm during major
life storms, and that helped me feel better about myself. I am human, after
all, and even yoga teachers have dark moments! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We are all teachers; we are
all students. It is learning to step into the role being presented to us and
accept it with humility and grace that make us a better human being. I needed a
teacher the morning of my procedure. My daughter saw that, assumed that role,
and in a loving, calm way helped me rediscover my breath again. I am so
grateful to her and for her.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life always
gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment. This includes every
mosquito, every misfortune, every red light, every traffic jam, every obnoxious
supervisor (or employee), every illness, every loss, every moment of joy or
depression, every addiction, every piece of garbage, every breath. Every moment
is the guru. – Joko Beck, American Zen teacher </span></i><span class="st"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(March
27, 1917 – June 15, 2011)</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-77212437862987092362013-11-22T18:18:00.000-08:002013-11-22T18:18:25.104-08:00Bubbles and Butterflies
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If ever
there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always
remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter
than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll
always be with you.” </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sometimes,'
said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” </span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- A.A. Milne, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Winnie-the-Pooh</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It has been over two years
since my mom’s death, and I’ve been missing her more than usual lately. Maybe
it was my grandson, Austin’s, first birthday at the end of August triggering
these feelings of unresolved issues, and surely it is just part of the grieving
process. Whatever the reason, I am learning to allow myself the time to absorb
my feelings and work through them, which led me to my mom’s grave to sit and
meditate recently. My Mom loved butterflies. We released butterflies at her
memorial service, there is a butterfly carved into her grave marker and my
sister and brother-in-law hung a butterfly chime on a tree branch above her
grave. As I was leaving her gravesite a light breeze struck it, sending me on
my way with a sweet tinkling sound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Austin has been my
mindfulness teacher lately. I have been rediscovering the world through his
eyes. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Every </i>acorn fascinates him; we
followed a single worm crawling across our porch, down the stairs and into the
yard one morning; he delights in the sound of the leaves crunching under our
feet when we “march” home from the park; and folks, if you have never gotten on
your back to look up at the sky and autumn leaves, may I encourage you to do
so! However the biggest lesson he taught me this summer was how to blow bubbles
the “right” way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Austin loves bubbles! I
started blowing bubbles for him in the early springtime. We would sit outside
and I would blow as many bubbles as I could, because we all know that more is
better, (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right?) </i>until I stopped and
observed him. He was not interested in the amount of bubbles; the flight of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">each</i> bubble captivated him. So I slowed
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would blow one wand-worth and
then we would watch each bubble do its thing until the last one popped, and
then the whole process would start all over again, one…bubble…at…a…time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was towards the end of
summer, during one of our bubble blowing sessions that I noticed the yellow
butterfly. Austin noticed it, too, because when the last bubble popped, we were
no longer interested in bubbles we were now watching the butterfly. This went
on for the next couple of weeks, the yellow butterfly getting closer to us each
week. On the fourth week, a blue butterfly visited us and sat on the porch
railing, so close I could have reached out and touched it. Both Austin and I
instinctively knew that stillness was the name of the game now as we watched
the butterfly sitting there with its delicate wings gently fluttering, looking
at us, too. It was in that moment that I felt a strong connection to my mom, and
then it hit me; the butterflies were a sign, a poignant reminder that even
though we are apart, my mom is always with me; she will always be my mom, a
bond that cannot be broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The butterfly sat on the
railing for a few minutes, and then just like the bubbles, she glided away out
of sight, continuing on her way. But I have the faith to know that her journey
did not end on the porch railing, that she would move onward even though I
could no longer see her; just like my mom. Less is more sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It took a bottle of
bubbles and my grandson to help teach me that, and two beautiful butterflies to
remind me of the metamorphosis we all go through. Our life journey from infant
to adult is full of transformations, and maybe our journey never really dies,
it simply changes into a new existence. </span></div>
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Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-2052619237488790322013-08-10T09:09:00.003-07:002013-08-10T09:18:58.135-07:00A Haiku for you and the August schedule<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><em>Cheers to Another Three Years!</em></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Sitting on the beach,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Thoughts of Body Grace and you,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Writing a haiku.</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Three years behind us,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Thanks to you, three more to come,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Flowing and growing.</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Our logo, a tree,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Rooted in community,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Branching out with love.</span></em></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Your feedback welcomed;</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Your inner light respected;</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Your support cherished.</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">With love and gratitude,</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Jan</span></em></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">We are heading into the home stretch of summer and</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">there are some class cancellations this month.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Enjoy these final weeks of summertime!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Monday, August 12, 9:45 am Flow Yoga 1 is c</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 15px;">ancelled.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">No Thursday, 11:00 am Slow Flow class August 15 and 22.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">This class will resume September 5.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Body Grace will be closed Monday, August 26 – Monday, September 2.</span></strong></span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-88755700105425615372013-01-01T13:42:00.000-08:002013-01-01T13:46:23.549-08:00Mister Rogers to the Rescue<u>This is being reprinted from the Body Grace December newsletter</u><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><i>"Christmas is
not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to
be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." Calvin
Coolidge</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">I stumbled upon this
quote a few weeks ago and loved the sentiment behind it</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">that the real spirit
of Christmas should be practiced all year long. This will be the last email I
send you in 2012 so I want to wish everyone peace, joy and goodwill, not just
during the holiday season, but everyday. I also want to take this opportunity
to thank all of you for your support during 2012. It has been an amazing year
at Body Grace and we have a lot to look forward to in 2013! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">But I am also writing
this with a heavy heart; sorry if I’m not feeling too Christmas-y right
now. At a time when I should be
enjoying the lights and the festivities of the season, I feel saddened that we
are once again grieving the loss of innocent lives in another mass shooting
during a time that should be filled</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"> with joy. Oh sure, I could vent my anger, putting blame here and
there, but I think there is enough of that going around, don’t you? What I needed was to find some light,
and I found it in a quote by Mister Rogers, a man who loved and respected
children with all his heart while he was here on earth, and who epitomizes the
Christmas spirit:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><i>“When I was a boy
and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for
the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day,
especially in times of “disaster”, I remember my mother’s words and I am always
comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring
people in this world.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Fred Rogers</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">I’m sure that during
the next several days I will continue to shed more tears and pray my little
heart out during my meditation time, but in the spirit of Christmas, I will
keep my eyes open for all those many caring people in the world who are
practicing peace, goodwill and mercy. There is a reason why there is a tree of
‘Love’ painted in the stairwell, because I believe in the end, love will
outshine evil and darkness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">Wishing you a season
of light and love,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;">Jan</span></div>
Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-32579122480151085412012-09-03T05:36:00.001-07:002012-09-03T05:36:35.979-07:00My Grandson <div style="text-align: center;">
Austin William Beech, born Aug. 31, 3:29 am, 8 lb 5 oz.</div>
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Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-43892730151176309672012-04-19T12:46:00.003-07:002012-04-22T06:20:27.389-07:00Honoring Trees<style>
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<span style="font-size: small;">TREES</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:25"></del></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:30"></ins></span></i></b><i>by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think that I shall never see</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A poem lovely as a tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A tree whose hungry mouth is prest</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A tree that looks at God all day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And lifts her leafy arms to pray;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A tree that may in summer wear</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A nest of robins in her hair;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Upon whose bosom snow has lain;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Who intimately lives with rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Poems are made by fools like me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But only God can make a tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obviously, I love trees! The Body Grace logo and décor is tree-inspired, and the first impression of the studio is the ‘love’ tree painted in the stairwell. I have loved trees for as long as I can remember. As a little girl I couldn’t wait to play out in the woods with my dolls. When I was a teen getting into drawing and painting, I would spend many hours with my sketchpad out in the woods. In painting class, I would bring in pictures of trees with gnarly, moss</span><span class="msoIns" style="font-size: small;"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:26"></ins></span><span class="msoDel" style="font-size: small;"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:26"></del></span><span style="font-size: small;">-covered roots to paint, frustrating my teachers who would say, “enough with the trees, Jan” and then make me paint a boring still life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My family is getting ready to put my mom’s house on the market. Recently while I was sitting outside on the front stoop taking a break from cleaning, I realized how much I will miss the big, old maple tree in the front yard. It’s a magnificent tree with an amazing root system and a beautiful shape. That tree has grown up with me. It saw me through my awkward, pudgy, crooked teeth and cat-eye glasses elementary school days; put up with my rebellious, alcohol- and drug-induced teen years; and has had the privilege of having my own two daughters play make believe under it when they were little. I only hope that whoever buys the house will love that tree as much as my mom and my family did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saying good-bye to my mom almost a year ago, <span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:28"></del></span>(whose final resting place is underneath a big, nurturing tree), and now getting ready to say good-bye to our family’s home, has all been a process of letting go, which brings me to the Body Grace logo. Have you ever noticed the two floating leaves? Those leaves are what made me fall in love with the design. They represent not only graceful movement, (which by the way, is what we want in our bodies; bodies that are strong and stable, but also move with ease and lightness) but the leaves also symbolize letting go and giving back. As they fall to the ground, they are giving back to the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Earth <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></ins></span><span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></del></span>Day is Sunday, April 22 but Body Grace will be celebrating <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></ins></span><span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></del></span>Earth W<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></ins></span><span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:29"></del></span>eek through Saturday, April 28. I will donate $2.00 to the Environmental Defense Fund for every paying student who comes to take a class during the week. This will be one small way of giving back to the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>“To treat the physical world as sacred is to honor what you do with your body and environment, the food you eat, the things you buy and your means of livelihood.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">–<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Anodea Judith, Ph.D. therapist and educator.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taking the time to connect to Mother Nature is another way to show we care.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Notice how delicate the light is when the sun shines through the laciness of new leaves on the trees, the many colors of the flowering shrubs and flowers, the chorus of birds singing early in the morning.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Caring for the earth reflects </span><span class="msoDel" style="font-size: small;"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:39"></del></span><span style="font-size: small;">how we take care of ourselves</span><span class="msoIns" style="font-size: small;"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:31"></ins></span><span class="msoDel" style="font-size: small;"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-04-15T17:31"></del></span><span style="font-size: small;">. I want to have lots of trees for my grandchildren to play under and grow up with, just like I had my maple tree.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Jan</span></div>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-43149831768954918832012-03-10T19:04:00.002-08:002012-03-10T19:08:58.077-08:00Body Grace is Branching Out into the Community<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Big Caslon"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.msoIns { text-decoration: underline; color: teal; }span.msoDel { text-decoration: line-through; color: red; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-03-09T19:22"></del></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Marci" datetime="2012-03-09T19:22"></ins></span> This past week, three of our Body Grace instructors had the amazing opportunity to teach for the James Madison High School freshman P.E. department. The teachers at Madison wanted to give their students a taste of other fitness modalities, so they invited trainers to come and share their expertise with the P.E. classes. Diane Rogers and Carlos Valdes-Dapena team-taught a yoga unit on Monday and Tuesday; Julie Moore taught Pilates on Wednesday.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">The P.E. teachers at Madison know that other outlets for physical activity and exercise need to be offered for teens who are not athletic or don’t want to play a competitive sport. Many of our teens are already seeing chiropractors and physical therapists for back and neck issues due to poor posture from sitting too much, heavy book bags and stress.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">As Carlos posted on his Facebook wall, they reached over 300 students in two days! Diane shared this with me, “Carlos and I were so impressed at how engaged and enthusiastic the P.E. staff and students were. Some of the athletes were humbled by their difficulties in Warrior 3 and some of the less-athletic types seemed happy to learn this new form of physical activity.”</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Julie had a similarly positive experience, finding the students friendly, completely engaged and open-minded. And like Diane and Carlos, she got a positive response from students she perceived as less athletic who seemed proud to be able to do many of the exercises she offered. Julie summed it up beautifully when she said, “I think the P.E. teachers accomplished their goal of exposing kids to something new and capturing their imagination of what they might do in the future.” A huge kudos to the Madison teachers for thinking outside the box!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">I am so proud of the teaching team here at Body Grace! So many of you have expressed to me how caring and dedicated all the teachers are and how non-intimidating the studio atmosphere is.<span style=""> </span>Mission accomplished!<span style=""> </span>Our vision is that Body Grace grows into a nurturing studio where people can care for themselves, body, mind and spirit, and that we will continue to branch out into the community.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Warmly,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Jan</span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-2807216415317664732012-02-12T12:52:00.000-08:002012-02-12T12:56:53.999-08:00Becoming a grandparent!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Big Caslon"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" >I discovered the secret to levitation; I am going to be a grandparent!<span style=""> </span>I don’t think Bob’s feet or mine have touched the ground yet. The due date is August 25; so needless to say, as much as I love the studio and all of you, nothing will keep me away from being part of our first grandchild’s arrival!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" >An August birth has another significance. My mother would always tell everyone how she didn’t know anyone with an August birthday, so my daughter, Nicole, and her husband, Dale, planned this birth in honor of her. She passed before their wedding, but I believe with all my heart that she will be sharing this joyous occasion right along with us. I will carry on my mother’s tradition of spoiling my grandchild with unconditional love, lots of time, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a really loud obnoxious toy or two, just like she did with my two daughters.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" >I am ready for this new chapter of my life to begin. I don’ t feel nervous or “old”, on the contrary, my heart is full of joy and I am excited about what the future will hold.<span style=""> </span>In fact, there is not a doubt in my mind that Bob and I will rock as grandparents!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" ><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Warmly,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Jan</span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-53833353838526694682011-12-14T13:48:00.000-08:002011-12-14T13:50:37.500-08:00Celebrating Light<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">“Think of your well-being like a candle burning brightly inside of you. It is at the core of your being, and when you are feeling quiet and peaceful, your well-being is intact and your </span></em></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">candle is burning with ease.” </span></em></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"> --Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Calendar</span></em></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Since when did Christmas become so competitive? From stores trying to be the first to put out their holiday decorations and merchandise, (did anyone notice stuff appearing in stores at the beginning of September?) to the array of competitive commercials on TV.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">I thought I was being a little oversensitive to the Best Buy ads until I read an article recently in The Washington Post by Hank Stuever who had the same feelings I did. There’s one ad that depicts a woman who has gone out and bought everything at Best Buy that her family wants and waits up for Santa to arrive only to mock him when he shows up. Poor Santa does nothing but give and this is the thanks he gets? And let’s not forget about the Target ads with the crazed lady who hasn’t slept in days and is in “training” for her shopping spree. She’s the one running through Target with a parachute attached to her and doing abdominal crunches on the red stability ball-like objects that are in front of Target Stores. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Personally, I think this woman could use a little yoga!</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Even though these ads are funny, and some would even say clever, the holidays are not a competition they are a celebration. Whether we are lighting an advent wreath, a menorah, admiring all the decorative lights or lighting a candle for loved ones no longer with us, the holidays are a celebration of light. Light conveys unity; light opens us up to love;light represents hope and peace; light is an absence of darkness bringing the clarity we crave. Spiritual light is a common thread that all religions have. Just think how peaceful the world would be if we could focus on that common denominator instead of all the differences.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">I found a great quote from an article written by Anne Naylor, a motivational speaker and writer, which sums up this concept of light beautifully: <em>The Light is the great connector that finds harmony and union where there was discord and divisiveness. The Light brings healing and peace, where there was disease and discouragement. The Light sees plenty where I might see lack. When you pray,<br /></em></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><em>see Light – because Light sees you. </em></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">However you choose to celebrate the holiday season and after all the busyness is done,</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">take some time to enjoy the glow of lights around you and let your inner candle burn brightly.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Warmly wishing you peace, love, joy, and <strong>light!</strong></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia,serif;">Jan</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;"> <br /></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-45918510776946356842011-10-20T10:24:00.000-07:002011-10-20T10:30:03.363-07:00The Turtle Had It Right!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Georgia"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;" ><i>“Determination and consistency yield results”</i></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;" ><i>Pat Rigsby - Fitness business coach</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;" ><i><br /></i></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i> </i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >These five words have become my mantra lately. I follow Pat’s business blog and this phrase really jumped out at me about a month ago. So much so, that I wrote it down and have it next to my computer to read everyday. He was referring to business concepts, but I think this phrase could inspire us whether we are trying to improve our diet and fitness habits, starting a new business or de-cluttering our home! You name it.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >I get daily motivational messages sent to my in-box from</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a href="mailto:theunivers@tut.com">theuniverse@tut.com</a>. The other day I received the quote below. It has the same idea as Pat’s, but with a fun twist. I hope it makes you smile too!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style=""> </span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i>“I still don't get why people are so surprised that the turtle beat the rabbit over the long run. </i></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><br /><br /></i></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i>Consistent effort, no matter how small, sparks magic, fills sails, butters bread, turns tides, instills faith, summons friends, improves health, burns calories, creates abundance, yields clarity, builds courage, spins planets, and rewrites destinies. </i></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><br /><br /></i></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i>No matter how small.”</i></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:14pt;" ></span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-32603715531889827242011-09-01T17:27:00.000-07:002011-09-01T17:39:18.020-07:00Through The Eyes Of A Crayon<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Georgia"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Here it is, the last hurrah of summer! Can you feel fall in the air? I certainly can. This has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The final weeks of summer are always full of anticipation.<span style=""> </span>When my two daughters were growing up, I use to love the final week of August before school started. That was our week to go shopping for new clothes and shoes; we’d have our little fashion show at home, putting outfits together trying to make that critical decision on what to wear the first day of school.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Oh and how I will miss rushing out to buy all the new school supplies.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Starting the new school year with fresh notebooks and paper was always a must. Pens and pencils, I have decided, must end up in the same place as the missing socks from the laundry, because we were constantly buying packages of both!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">To this day, however, there is one school supply that still gets my heart fluttering: crayons. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Cracking open a fresh box of crayons for the first time, marveling at all the beautiful colors, enjoying the newness of each crayon with its fresh point and fully intact paper covering; inhaling that waxy scent always made me smile. It is truly one of my favorite things.
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Coloring is calming and meditative. For those people who find it hard to sit in meditation, try coloring. Did you know there are some beautiful meditation coloring books available? They usually are printed in the shape of Mandalas, (the Sanskrit word for circle or center), which is considered to be a symbolic shape representing wholeness and unity.<span style=""> </span>But you don’t need a special book, just some plain paper does the trick too.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Several years ago I attended a conference and Mare Petras, a motivational speaker, had this to say about crayons:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><i>“We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have different and unusual names; and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.”</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><i>
<br /></i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><i> </i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Who knew colorful, waxy sticks had so much to teach us?<span style=""> </span>They not only allow artistic creativity, but also a meditative experience, not to mention their symbolism of living together in an accepting and peaceful world. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Warmly,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Jan</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">This fall will bring lots of new and exciting offerings at Body Grace!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">New classes and teachers, another meditation session and a Sunday afternoon class to name just a few.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Be on the lookout for future emails with more information.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">Below is the schedule for the next two weeks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>All classes will resume Tuesday, September 6</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>Pilates starts back on Thursday, September 8, 9:30 am</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">(Please note that the 8:30 am class will no longer be offered)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>Teen Yoga starts on Wednesday, September 14, 4:15 pm</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>
<br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b> </b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b> </b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>New Class</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>
<br /></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>Gentle Yoga with Jan on Mondays 11:00 am – Noon</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"><b>Starting September 12</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;">For all of you who requested a gentle practice later in the morning here it is! This is a wonderful class for everyone but will be particularly beneficial for anyone with minor limitations. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></p> Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-49118336972489314132011-08-04T05:06:00.000-07:002011-08-04T05:09:59.578-07:00Time-Outs<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Big Caslon"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Driving to the bank one beautiful, sunny day in June, I approached an elementary school; as I waited at the stop sign, I noticed a large number of students outside on the front lawn, under the trees doing some sort of outdoor activity.<span style=""> </span>They were split up into four or five groups with an adult supervising each group.<span style=""> </span>As I was driving past, one little boy caught my eye. He was standing off by himself, hands jammed into his pants pockets, looking down to the ground with an adult standing close by. Maybe I’m making an assumption here, but it sure looked like a time-out situation to me. All I could do was smile all the way to the bank as memories of time-outs while raising my two daughters came rushing back to me.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Time-outs are great!<span style=""> </span>When our kids are little, time-outs give them a break from some kind of undesirable action, teaching them to calm down, cool off and/or to think about the consequences of their action.<span style=""> </span>Sports teams use time-outs to regroup and strategize when the competition gets intense, creating a stronger team. Grown-ups need time-outs too.<span style=""> </span>We may not call them that, but having a spa day; getting away on vacation; sitting for a few moments in meditation; taking some long, slow deep breaths during a stressful situation are all time-outs.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’m putting myself in time-out for a couple of weeks at the end of August, taking some time to replenish myself at the beach and eat lots of pie!</span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some of our amazing Body Grace teachers will be filling in for me. </span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><span style=""> </span><u>And the whole studio will be closed from Saturday, August 27 through</u> <u>Monday, September 5</u>, </i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">giving our teachers and the studio a nice break before returning to a full schedule in September.</span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I will send out another email within the next two weeks with a modified schedule for the time I will be away, as well as post the schedule in the studio and on the blog. </span></p><div style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;"> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Warmly,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Jan</span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-69340133867020353202011-05-08T05:23:00.000-07:002011-05-08T05:31:45.174-07:00Letting Go<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Georgia"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i>“Letting go is the hardest asana. Life is about letting go: of every exhalation, of the day as we fall asleep, of our children as they grow up and leave home. When we resist letting go, we are resisting the flow of life itself.<span style=""> </span>What can you let go of right now?”<br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i>– Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., P.T.</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i> </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">May is such a pleasant month. We celebrate moms, spring is in its full glory, the Memorial holiday weekend always signifies the beginning of summer, and the warmer weather permits us to plant our gardens and participate in more outdoor activities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For many of us this is also the season of letting go. I cannot think of May without</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">also thinking about all the upcoming graduations. Whether our children are just moving from one grade to the next, or graduating from high school or college, there are always those bittersweet feelings of watching our children grow.<span style=""> </span>I will always see the little girl in both of my daughters, but I’m also so proud of how they have matured into strong, independent women.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">This May brings with it a couple milestones for me.<span style=""> </span>I signed the studio lease on May 1 of last year and I will never forget standing in this empty place by myself, butterflies in my stomach, taking long, slow, deep breaths and experiencing a whole gamut of feelings from fear to joy! Even though all of these conflicting emotions were flowing through me, I knew that letting go and taking this huge leap of faith was the right decision; I had absolutely, positively no regrets!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">The second milestone happening this month is our oldest daughter, Nicole, wedding on May 30. This is an exciting time for the family. We love Dale, her fiancé, whom she has been with for over two years and is the perfect match for her, and we couldn’t be happier for both of them. But as much as we will be there on their wedding day to help celebrate their love and commitment to each other, I don’t doubt that there will be the emotions of letting go when she walks down that aisle.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Judith asks a poignant question, <i>“What can you let go of right now?”</i></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style=""> </span>Are you facing a graduation this spring or a wedding, maybe your kids are heading to summer camp for the first time? Do you need to let go of busyness in your life so that you have more free time to take care of yourself?<span style=""> </span>Do you need a mental spring-cleaning by getting rid of anger or resentment that you have been holding on to far too long? And never underestimate de-cluttering your surroundings! Have you ever noticed how we can feel mentally lighter after a good thorough cleaning?<span style=""> </span>Lots of clutter can zap our energy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Letting go is not easy. In fact, Judith says it is the hardest asana (or posture).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">But resisting can cause stagnation, so what can you let go of this spring that will help keep the flow of your life moving with grace.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Warmly,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Jan</span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-45553726664379675132011-04-12T11:40:00.000-07:002011-04-12T11:44:46.911-07:00Kindness<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Georgia"; }@font-face { font-family: "Big Caslon"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p { margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">“No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.”</span></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";">Amelia Earhart</span></em></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Big Caslon";"></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">After finding this amazing quote from Amelia Earhart, I was thinking how great</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">it would be if there were a kindness month. Lo and behold, a google search</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">revealed that February is National Random Acts of Kindness month. I missed it, darn it! But because it is better late than never, here’s my challenge for April: to</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">practice at least one act of kindness daily. Does it have to be elaborately planned</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">for every day of the month? Goodness no! Something as simple as holding the</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">door open for someone or being polite when we speak to people during the day or inviting a person to go in front of us in a check-out line just might brighten</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">their day. And there are acts of kindness that others don’t see, but are just as meaningful, such as donating clothes and food to a charity or picking up trash</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">in the park.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">A few months ago at Starbucks, the person ahead of me, a complete stranger,</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">paid for my cup of coffee. It was such a treat and I would have paid it forward</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">except I was the only one in the cafe, so I placed the money I was holding to pay for my coffee into the tip jar. The young woman behind the counter asked me if I wanted some change back but I told her to keep it and left with my coffee,</span> <span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">both of us smiling!</span></span> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">Enjoy this month of April, spreading roots of kindness.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">Warmly,</span><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-family: Georgia;">Jan</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-40932239337063619142011-02-28T10:35:00.000-08:002011-02-28T10:47:22.766-08:00The Yamas - Ethical principals for interacting with others<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0in; }ul { margin-bottom: 0in; </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"> <i><br /></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Working on our spiritual life is an ongoing practice that will take many different twists and turns because life is always changing. The yamas give us a guide to live more consciously. They are not always easy to practice and may require some soul searching on our part, but that’s the point. They help us to approach life with awareness, compassion and personal growth.<span style=""> </span>A nice way to practice the yamas is to take one and work with it over a certain time frame, say a week or a month, longer if necessary, and then be open to, and aware of, the transformations that take place, whether that is speaking kinder words, letting go of a past resentment or watching less TV!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are brief descriptions of the five yamas:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><i>Ahimsa</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> – nonviolence; not causing pain</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">“When nonviolence in speech, thought and action is established, one’s aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one’s presence.”<i> –Yoga Sutras</i></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Ahimsa is derived from two words: <i>a,</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> “not,” and </span><i>himsa, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">“harm,” meaning “nonharming.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This goes beyond physical harm of a person or thing. Our words, thoughts and actions can cause pain to others and we can act violently to ourselves by our negative thoughts. The <i>Yoga Sutras</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> states, “Causing pain can be even more harmful than killing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Even by your words, even by your thoughts, you can cause pain.” Practice compassion, love, and peacefulness and creating a positive self-dialogue. Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Martin Luther King, Jr all dedicated their lives to <i>ahimsa</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></p><br /><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="2" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><i>Satya</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> – truthfulness</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">“When the practitioner is firmly established in the practice of the truth, his words become so potent that whatever he says comes to realization.”<i> –Yoga Sutras</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Satya</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is derived from </span><i>sat, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">referring to the truth of God or the universe and </span><i>ya, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">an activating prefix in Sanskrit; therefore </span><i>satya </i><span style="font-style: normal;">means, “actively becoming the truth of the universe or God.” </span><i>Ahimsa</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> needs to be practiced with </span><i>satya</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. Letting love direct our truthfulness, not using harmful words, and letting go of judgment towards others are other ways of practicing </span><i>satya</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. Judith Lasater, an internationally known yoga teacher, in her book </span><i>Living Your Yoga, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">suggests asking yourself three questions before speaking: Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it nonharming? If you can answer “yes” to all these questions, it may be okay to proceed. If not, you must weigh what is the right action in the situation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">She also goes on to write about another aspect of <i>satya</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, which is inner truth and integrity. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Honesty is what we do when others are around…but to have integrity is to act in an honest manner when others are not around and will never know about our actions.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i> 3. Asteya</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> – non-stealing</span></p> <br /> <p class="MsoNormal">“When abstention from stealing is firmly established, precious jewels come.”<i> –Yoga Sutras</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Steya </i><span style="font-style: normal;">means “to steal”; </span><i>asteya </i><span style="font-style: normal;">is the opposite. Besides the obvious of taking something that belongs to another, there are other, deeper meanings to this yama. Jealousy can be a form of stealing, such as taking credit for another person’s work or stealing someone’s reputation by spreading gossip about that person. We steal from ourselves all the time by</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">being too focused on the future and not enjoying the present moment. There are some who interpret this yama to also mean not taking more than what we need; not sharing our talents; or not giving to others less fortunate when we have an abundance of “stuff” to give.<span style=""> </span>In his book <i>Meditations from the Mat, </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Rolf Gates</span><i> </i><span style="font-style: normal;">writes, “Each theft, each time we ‘forget’ to return something we’ve borrowed, each moment we give in to the impulse to covet or to be jealous, we are saying, ‘</span><i>My God is not</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.’ To practice </span><i>asteya,</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> we must abandon ourselves to the care of the universe. We must say in each moment, with each thought, word and deed, ‘</span><i>My God is’.</i><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></p><br /><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="4" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><i>Brahmacharya</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> – moderation<u></u></span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">“When the practitioner is firmly established in continence, knowledge, vigor, valor, and energy flow to him.”<i> –Yoga Sutras</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The literal translation of <i>brahmacharya</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is “walking with God” or “to remain connected to Source.” This is the hardest of the yamas to understand, as the classical meaning is “celibacy.” But if we dig deeper we will find that this yama is about finding moderation in our life, whether that is our sexual energy, food, alcohol, watching television, etc. </span><i>Brahmacharya </i><span style="font-style: normal;">is about personal responsibility and creating balance in our life. In one of my teacher training manuals this quote sums up this yama beautifully, “This day I am moderate, centered and complete. I use my energy in ways that lead me closer to my Source. I treat others and myself with respect, recognizing the inherent Divinity of all people. I’m connected to my true self.” </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" start="5" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><i>Aparigraha</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> – nonpossessiveness</span></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">“If we are completely free from stealing and greed, contented with what we have, and if we keep serene minds, all wealth comes to us.”<i> –Yoga Sutras</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The root word of <i>aparigraha</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is </span><i>parigraha</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, which means to reach for something and claim it for yourself. By adding the “a” in front of the word, it takes on the opposite definition. </span><i>Aparigraha</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, therefore, is the act of letting go.<span style=""> </span>Practicing this yama may mean consuming less and living more or practicing nonattachment to possessions and people. People are ours to be with, not to have or to own. It’s okay to have a lot but not attach who we are to it. </span><i>Aparigraha</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> also means letting go of past resentments, anger and fear, or the obstacles preventing us from living a productive and happy life. At its deepest level, </span><i>aparigraha </i><span style="font-style: normal;">is about forgiveness.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Ultimately the yamas are about practicing love, both toward others and oneself. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Jan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112512703682776792.post-62153744843824817022010-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:002010-12-14T15:08:41.252-08:00A Holiday Wish<p class="yiv820289434MsoNormal">Greetings!<br /><br />How can such a magical time of year, with all the lights, decorations, and cheer, be one of the most stressful, too? I wish I had a good answer, but I don't. I think we put so much pressure on ourselves - or feel pressured by outside sources - for everything to be perfect during the holiday season, that we end up tired and stressed out. Let's be honest, who hasn't hit the "Holiday Wall" at one time or another? I can remember standing in Toys R Us at midnight, blurry eyed, frustrated, and downright angry because they were sold out of some special toy one of my daughters wanted. Or how about the time I had this brilliant idea of making pans and pans of cinnamon rolls by scratch for all my family and friends. I ended up sitting in a heap on our kitchen floor in tears! I will have to say, though, that I came away from that fiasco with a tremendous respect for professional bakers!<br /><br />This year will be different. Our two daughters are grown and on their own. Honestly, I am looking forward to a very simple Christmas this year with a small tree, a few gifts under it, and spending time with loved ones. And that's my wish for all of you: that in the midst of all the busy-ness, you will find a glimmer of simplicity. A moment to sit with a cup of tea and a good book; a nice dinner and conversation with a loved one; a walk in the woods; quiet time for prayer or meditation; or simply taking several deep breaths.<br /> <br /> </p> Taking the time to stop occasionally throughout the season and to jump off the holiday treadmill is oh-so-important for our self-care. Please take care of yourself during the next few weeks and end the year on a healthy note.*<br /><br />Peace to all,<br />Jan<br />www.bodygrace.comJan Creriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01679454210063415735noreply@blogger.com0