Book Recommendation: Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

 I joined up with a group of online friends to read and discuss books and the first one they picked was this. Even in my yoga readings somehow I had not yet taken on this collection of essays, thoughts, mindfulness-based aphorisms and meditations from renowned spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh (I even, humbly, googled how to properly pronounce his name and it's 'Tick Not Han'). 

I was not two pages into this and a feeling welled up inside me that was of simultaneous joy and sorrow, that feeling that you are going to cry but not of abject sadness, but overwhelming FULLness of emotion. It is as if my SOUL was just typed out on pages in front of me - that someone KNEW my feelings and was articulate, wise, deep, and profoundly perceptive enough to reach across time and space, and in better words than I could ever conjure, place them on pages for me to read back to myself. I'm not saying I'm anywhere as intuitive as this Zen master. I'm saying that my thoughts and feeling somehow are aligned and I'm prostrate before this small collection of ideas to the point where I cannot believe the I have never ventured to read his work before, and that somehow my little world, my little brain actually has similar ideas to that of such a great Zen master. 

I've just started, but here is one poem that is included, that he shared from a friend, that struck me as particularly poignant for these times, evoking a sense of hope, while still respecting the turmoil we currently are experiencing:

I have lost my smile,
but don't worry.

The dandelion has it.

You can find a copy of this amazing book in paperback for less than five dollars on Alibris or with other used book sellers. I'll be reading excerpts in online classes for the next few weeks, so consider dropping in (check the schedule and email me for the link), or just drop me an email to discuss. You can also check out https://www.patreon.com/abiscuit/posts if you want to join the fun book club but I can't tell you what else we'll be reading, I just know these are some of the best most heartfelt (and funniest) people I've met (online) and they led me to this amazing book. 

Abilities Expo Virtual Experience November 20-21, 2020

BYOMyoga is proud to provide scheduled and on-demand yoga workshops on meditation, movement, and mindfulness, fully captioned for all abilities levels, ON DEMAND for the entire weekend of the Abilities Virtual Expo. Be sure to register for access to these programs and more, like creating sensory rooms, designing ability-supportive home spaces, mental and physical health, and fundraising.

We're Going Virtual

No need for masks or gloves, and you can connect with the disability-focused resources you need day or night in your pajamas. Take that, COVID-19! Until it's safe to meet in person again, we look forward to seeing the digital you at the Abilities Virtual Experience. Register for free today!

Find Products & Services

Visit exhibitor "booths" to learn what exciting technologies they have to offer. There will be product images, videos and special exhibitor events to engage you. Have a question? Your click is their command!

Attend Info-Packed Workshops

Our experts are almost as excited for this virtual format as we are! Access on-demand workshops on a such important disability issues as nutrition, financial planning for special needs families, affording the medical equipment you need, therapeutic cannabis, service dogs and more.

Good Times for the Whole Family

We are packing a ton of adaptive fun into your Abilities Virtual Experience! From the comfort of your living room, you can join the Rollettes dance party. You can improve strength and flexibility with adaptive yoga. How about learning a paracheer routine? Settle in...it's going to be a blast!

Register for free today: https://www.abilities.com/virtual/register.html#form

New! Mindful Yoga for Neurodivergent Individuals starts Thursday November 19 9am PST/12 EST

When: Thursdays, 9:00-9:45AM PST

Zoom: (register for link)

Cost: Donation-based via Patreon

This class is coordinated with Mindful Behavior, LLC, and is geared towards the neurodivergent community as a whole. The focus is on those with developmental and physical disabilities, to provide behavioral support, and to strength and stretch the body. No age limit (caregiver/parent support required for minors). October classes are free, and future classes will be completely donation-based (fees never required). 

Download the MB liability waiver sign & return to byomyoga@gmail.com or contactmindfulbehavior@gmail.com to register.

Day 22 of 22: Standing Spinal Balance (Cross-Body Limb Extension)

Final day of the challenge and I tried to be creative with a unique twist on a plank hold: alternate arm and leg raises (shoulder extension rear hip extension). Often in a yoga class this movement "posture" is done on the hands and knees (table top). Whether horizontal or on an incline, the lifting of the arm, with hand in "handshake position" which creates a small external rotation to root the shoulder blade on the back, and moving the entire leg backwards and upwards against gravity uses the gluteus maximum and hamstrung muscles, with the lower back. Lifting the limbs simultaneously requires core activation to stabilize the body, and keep the arm and leg moving smoothly. Done slowly and mindfully it can even be used as a stretch for the back, the calf, the forearm, the obliques, and the neck, and more. 

I noticed in watching the video that I started to lose the straight alignment of my plank (I was slightly bent forward at the hip joint). It would behoove me to move closer to the chair, raise my hand support, and/or pull my hips slightly forward next time I practice this movement. It is important to not fling the arm and leg up and be sure to move with muscular stability rather than momentum to keep the joints, especially the lumbar vertabral joints, protected.

One set of movements consists of extending the Right Arm/Left Leg, then the Left Arm/Right Leg. I did eleven of these "sets" for twenty-two total movements.

My physical challenge commitment is complete, but I will be carrying the lessons learned, the creativity developed, and the spirit of supporting our veterans forward into our chair yoga classes. Watch videos at byomyogavideos.com and you never know when you'll see us drop into another challenge and shout out to our #activeheroes. Thank you for your support!

To donate to my challenge, click here: https://fundraise.activeheroes.org/fundraiser/2872670

To start your own challenge, click here: https://activeheroes.org/22pushups/

Day 21 of 22: Pushup with Lowered Hold

As I am coming close to the end of this internet challenge, I wanted to create a little bit more of a physical (and appropriate) challenge for myself, but still keep it in the spirit of accessible gentle yoga. I played with the idea of holding in the lowered version of the pushup on a small incline to build tricep, shoulder, back, bicep, and chest muscles strength, in addition to creating core stability awareness. 

This was more intense than the diamond pushup, but had the positive aspect of creating no pain in my shoulder. The elbows pinning in to the ribcage, like in a traditional chaturanga yoga pushup, kept my shoulders in a safe position, and with all the training we've done, I was able to hold for a few second all the way through two sets of eleven with integrity.  Kumbaya!

To donate to my challenge, click here: https://fundraise.activeheroes.org/fundraiser/2872670

To start your own challenge, click here: https://activeheroes.org/22pushups/