Rise, Shine and Salute the Sun
Striking a dancer's pose by the canals is like painting a picture of my heart's content from living a life of freedom in the present on my narrowboat.
These moments of mindfulness are not limited to just my yoga mat, though, and I find myself applying the principles of yoga more off my mat than in movement.
Through practice, I'm conscious of every move I make once I get out of bed in the mornings and activate my mind. Nothing is done on autopilot, as my actions need to make sense and be deliberate with a purpose. I'm attentive to discomforts in my body and apply pressure and breathe into the pain, as it's sometimes only tension. I also control my mind and where I let my thoughts go, and I maintain my awareness by being conscious of what I let in to avoid mental chaos or information overload. Maintaining focus can be difficult as interruptions occur, but with practice, my mind gets better at resisting the spillover of others suffering from verbal diarrhoea.
I live and understand the power of stillness and silence, as it's in these moments that I re-energise and recharge, which increases my stamina and helps me to function more efficiently throughout the day.
A great time for me to start my mindfulness is during breakfast. I like to be present in that moment because it's the foundation for the rest of the day.
Pausing for breakfast is a time for me to be in tune with my breath and the changes in my energy level as my body and mind connect and register the re-energising charge that I get from each bite of my meal. It's like I switch on my gratitude sensor for everything positive around me. I remain in that moment, not thinking about my tasks for the day or what I did the day or night before, just my food—the smell, the look, the feel, the taste, the colours of it—all activating my five senses.
I'm a warrior for life, and I do stretches in the strangest of places too, anything that offers good resistance, as stretching helps to improve my mobility. There's nothing worse than a nudging pain or tight muscles, right?
Pain affects us physically and emotionally, and aggravates the nerves, so I try to be pain-free, naturally, and stretching helps me.
It would be a shame to ignore the phenomenon of sunsets. Sunsets are magnificent, and the reflections in the water make it two-fold. As I roll my yoga mat, I look out at the fields and reflect on my life—where it has taken me and the paths that I've carved out for myself.
I've felt pain, suffered, smiled, and endured, but that was the past.
I've set my goals, without anxiety, because that's the future.
I've learnt much and I continue to be a student for life, in the now.
The sunset encourages me to work diligently on my goals daily, a little at a time, and also that it's never over until my last breath. So, when things get rocky and I feel like I want to give in, I rise and shine again, just like the sun. Because. I owe it to myself!
Salut 🙏
Daily Theme Week 1: #MindfulMonday.
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This world is very beautiful and it all depends on the perspective and the way we choose to live. I love the sunset too, it aids my relaxation too and it reminds me of how bright I can shine! You're doing very well Milly ❤️
🙌💯 I like that!
Thank you very much for your sweet comment.
Have a lovely weekend:)))
I have never practiced yoga but I find it quite fascinating when I read about the impact of it just like you have mentioned.
I do just exercise and simple stretches to release fatigue and whatever discomfort I am feeling in the morning and it has been very effective. I agree with your thoughts about silence because it actually works for me a lot and that's when I get to reflect properly on things.
Speaking of sunrise and sunset, these two are a blessing because it definitely influences not just my body but mind as well. I don't have the best of views due to tall houses here but just a glimpse of it does the magic.
Good morning from this part of the world.
That's the idea, you know! it doesn't have to be anything dramatic. Just watch cats and dogs and you'll see how often they stretch.
That's a lovely photo and somehow they did a fabulous job in making the security barbed wire attractive. Thanks for sharing that:)))
Have a great weekend!
Something I need to do more often is stretch. Oh some of these back drops you show us are amazing. I know being on the water you witness awesome sun rises and sunsets. The beauty of nature is often caught twice in the water via reflections 😊 ☀️ I'm sure you witness many more of these than the normal person because of your narrow boat journeys. Take care and happy weekend 😊
Hey there!😁
I hope that you'll get into the habit of stretching, even if it's while still in bed in the morning.
Yes, sunset and sunrise are spectacular on the canals, but of course, I tend to witness more sunsets, as it's normally after my evening meal.
Getting down on my yoga mat at that hour of the evening, in the middle of nowhere is special.
Happy weekend to you too:)))
Good morning dear friend @millycf1976
What a beautiful way to start the day, exercising the body and mind, finding balance and peace of mind.
What a beautiful post, I appreciate you sharing this experience.
Have a splendid weekend
Hello @jlufer
That's my goal every day, indeed!
The weather has been rainy and miserable, but I'm having a relaxing day, anyhow.
I wish you a lovely weekend too and hopefully you're having lots of sunshine:)))
Wow... Reading this post and looking at your photos, it's provoked me to go outside my room for yoga for the first time in quite some time... It's funny, I started doing yoga as therapy in 2011 for cervical problems, but over time I ended up with very few asanas and deep meditation indoor :(... That is to say "it became less physical and more meditative"... But I think I will like to go outside again and do "surya namaskar" like I used to do few years ago...
As always, it's an interesting pleasure to read your content dear @millycf1976 "warrior for life" friend! ;) Have a great Sunday!!!!
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That sounds like a brilliant idea. I should do this sometimes.
I get what you mean about ending up doing only a few poses. It's the same for me sometimes, and I am so in tune with the spiritual and meditative side of yoga, that I do not expand my poses.
I've always preferred doing yoga outdoors in nature, but I'm not always motivated to go outside in the UK weather. It's a totally different experience when I'm living in the tropics.
It's always great to read your feedback:))))
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Beautiful sunset and your message very inspiring.
Yesterday my thighs felt sore after cycling, it almost burned. I took a cold bath and let the water run down there, quite a lot... then I stretched the muscles and slept. Today there is no pain left at all.
Moral of the story... the pains of the body and also the pains of the soul go away if we stretch like sunflowers in search of the sun. Rest is also necessary.
Hello @nanixxx
You've summed this up perfectly 🙌
Yes, getting good rest is not overrated at all. I've been sleeping much better these days and my body feels good for it.
I miss having a bicycle and I might consider getting one soon.
Wishing you a lovely weekend:)))
Thank you. 😉 I hope yours is going wonderfully.
Yes, it's been a quiet and relaxing Sunday for me 😍🤗
You look more relaxed and happy being back on the narrow boat, place to roll out a mat enjoyment in tasting nature, pacing through what keeps you ticking and supple.
You're so right about that!
We feel like seasoned boaters now and we're enjoying the journey more this time around.
It's a blessing to be able to do my yoga in this stunning nature around.
Happy Sunday :)))
It's a lifestyle few would select, freedom comes with it at expense, like most things in life we have to weigh up what we want. You look happy and that is all that matters.
Wow words that convey a lot of strength and tranquility at the same time 💪🏻 I'm really glad you are a warrior of life, that you get up as many times as it takes. I congratulate you for fighting your battles 🤩 Again we connect in some way because that's how I've felt. Also, the post I'm going to publish later in the day matches in some ways what you express here 🤭 That surprised me! Although it shouldn't because they are kindred feelings that come from valuing the things that are valuable in life 💫 And your photos look amazing! 😻 The colors harmonize so well that I wish I was there. A hug 💟
Thank you for your kind words 😍
Yes, I felt some connection with your post and this one.
💯
Sending you a big hug too 💜