Spring Awakening

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Hello, yogi friend!

Spring is in the air! Yes, there are lower temperatures in the coming days, but on my morning walk today I saw life. The plants are coming to life as their spring awakening comes right on time. As far as I go, I’m ready to wake up and clean out my old, partially digested leftovers living in my body. Not just food but bad thoughts I may have picked up, or bad habits. I also cannot forget to clean out my closets and clean out all the corners of my house of clutter. It’s spring cleaning so I mind as well add in green juices too. I am craving bitter greens and thoroughly enjoyed orange grapefruit ginger juice to help boost my immunity. We made this in my Ayurvedic class, along with veggie buddha bowls and dandelion greens. Oh, my favorite!

1st Things 1st — Movement

I have been enjoying my morning nature walks. Just waking up with a purpose to move my body is life changing. I find my thoughts move in my head faster versus my body in rest. I can lay down with my phone and have a great time researching every idea that crosses my mind. That puts too much information and no focus in my mind, I then have this overwhelming thought that I wasted my morning. There is my old pattern, negativity. I choose to get up and walk. I have power and I show up for myself every day because I know this works best for me. When I walk my thoughts become ideas and I can decide how I want to explore those possibilities. All that in a walk. Good morning to me!

If it’s raining outside and just not enjoyable at all, I will get my body and my thoughts on my mat. I have been enjoying moving intuitively lately to music but there are mornings where I don’t want to think about my next move so I will utilize my yoga studio’s recorded sessions. As long as I am moving, my thoughts are grooving in sync what you think? I think, I am enjoying the best balance I can ever manifest for my morning routine. Not everyone is up early enough to walk before work, I understand, the movement is the only purpose of this paragraph. Move.

Keep Them Thoughts Moving

I am admiring the swirling warm air (Vata) outside. I find these days help me figure out what I need to figure out. My thoughts are active and ready for solving, I find. What does this mean in Layman’s terms? So, we are all connected to nature whether we like bugs or not or enjoy a rainstorm or not. It isn’t all about likes and dislikes. We can’t tell the rain to not be so wet and when you begin to notice when you are gassy on a Tuesday (before tacos) and you also begin to notice it’s really windy outside. Hmmmm. Maybe we are intertwined. I find my thoughts surface on windy days, and I find time to get things in order! Kaphic people are earthy and watery, these are heavy, heavy grounding elements. I enjoy the elements of ether and air as I begin to focus on my seasonal awakening.

Rosemary tea is antimicrobial and is great in the morning when I need to focus 😃

Clean the Clutter, Save Your Mind

I cleaned out my closet about a month ago. Lifechanging! I can find my stuff! I let go of a lot of clothes. It also encourages me to design a better functioning closet for me. I am in the design process currently, so I moved my energy to the entry way closet, and it felt so good to let go of the things that no longer excite me. I started my donations box and I plan on getting my basement organized. We have a few things to get rid of and I plan on going through my holiday decorations. I am ready to let go of a lot of things. I feel my heart lighten and my mind doesn’t have to work as hard to find things. I have space! I have accomplished so much by doing so little. Try it, just a small study of one. My study has really helped me in my daily life.

I have decades of stuff in my house. I am not going to fret and feel like I need to do it all now. I am taking my time and not forcing myself to “let go” on days I need to “receive”. In Ayurveda, kaison is “small steps” and that’s how I will attack my clutter. A bit at a time to not overwhelm myself and these small steps ensure I’m always moving forward.

My flower agate to help me manifest my ideas❤️

Journal Your Truths

Writing down my thoughts and how I process my day is the best thing for me. I am able to see my thoughts on paper, but I get to experience it again by writing. Things come up in my meditations that I need to process outside of my head. The more I create a relationship with my thoughts the better outcome I get. I have been curious with how I perceive myself. Am I being my most authentic self to myself and others? If a thought of someone gives me a bad feeling, why? What is truth and what is made up in my head? I have played a whole scenario in my head of what I think is happening and be so off on a tangent that I fail to see that I’m headed into a wall. If I react, I would be in emotions only. Or only reacting with no true purpose. Until we know our truth then we are speaking someone else’s truth, right?

I have to be honest with myself how people or places affect me. I sometimes brush over small thoughts and concentrate on the bigger issues at the time. Well, over time small can get big and my journal is great to go back and see if it was mentioned before. My journal is my truths only. I cannot hide my true feelings all the time. They show up in my journal, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Greens, Greens, Greens!

My body is craving the scratchy fibrous greens and I am so glad we live in a day of unseasonal vegetables available all year round. I saw dandelion greens at my local co-op. I, of course, bought them and I have been eating them in my buddha bowls for lunch. I just prep and cook my food on Sunday and I have a whole week of meals. Dandelion greens are bitter and help to awaken my digestion. Nothing like digesting fibrous juicy greens for my organs. I also plan on buying a few fresh juices from my local juicery. I know a lot of juiceries combine veggies and fruit and I typically eat my fruit by itself. I will look for veggies only or just stick with good ‘ol celery juice.

I know it’s not quite Spring equinox yet, but my body is wanting to slowly begin my spring awakening. I find listening to my body gives me the best use out of my days. I have a phenomenal morning and evening routine that works so well to soothe my soul. I crave my routines and I give myself all the attention. I only need an hour in the morning, after my meditation, to get my mind right for the day. I hope you find inspiration to begin thinking about what you want in your Spring awakening.

Wanishi (Thank you — Lenape)

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Winter/Spring Transition

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Hello, Yogi friend!

I have been lying low taking in all the rest and recharge winter has to offer. I am ready to re-emerge and plant all the new seeds I collected over winter solstice. I cannot wait to share with you as my ideas unfold and manifest! Winter in my area is holding on with a vengeance. We had a few days of warmth and now we are enjoying the drying, cold air under gray wet skies for a few days before another shift change. Welcome to the Midwest, right? How do we hold on to our sanities and keep our bodies and minds in check when outside is a season away from a meltdown? I can explain how I find myself listened to, spiritually motivated, nourished, and keeping up with movement when all I want to do is rest. What we want and what we need are two separate things and yes, I struggle too because I am human.

Subtle whispers can be heard in silence.

I find meditation time so very relaxing. I am in peace in the silence with my thoughts. As I put my thoughts to bed, I find the emptiness of my head vast. Sometimes, I can explore that vastness. Some days my mind shuts down immediately when I think about the vastness, I think my colonized finite brain rules pop up again and I am stuck in a dark head. Yawn! I would like to keep exploring in my meditations and see what comes up. I find problems in my life get solved. I’m not saying by the flick of my wrist they disappear, I’m more advocating that most of the time we are stressed over thoughts, right? I find when I am able to think on it the thought fixes itself and goes away. I don’t physically have to do a lot to get my thoughts moving and getting solved. I get great plans and I am very methodical in my thinking in waking times thanks to my daily meditation routine.

I know there is more than our minds can comprehend, humans have been around a long time, and we are more than our bodies. I think sometimes people are really scared of the unknown and they project their fears, and those fears are passed down but never really explored. I know there is a study on crows that prove they do that too. I do admit fears are scary and everything I explore is high sensations. Fear shows up and I am currently exploring this and using my tools to be safe in my thoughts. I do have a therapist as well. Honestly, we should all have someone we trust in our lives that we can tell anything to and get very good advice from. Someone who will be there for you, and you can trust will keep you safe, whether you pay them or you don’t.

Journal Rituals

Did you know we just had a full moon in Pices? Did you feel the energy? I sure did, it caused me to write this blogpost! I also did my Lenape Full Moon ceremony that my auntie passed down to me. I tell you; my younger self would have loved to be in that moment with me. I had fun and felt the release of my prayers be carried off. It’s a great feeling to let go. Do you hold onto stuff in your mind that isn’t yours? Or maybe it is yours but your ashamed of it and you can’t think about it without a great deal of pain, so you stuff it further down. Writing in my journal helps me find what I need to focus on for that month, week, or day. Some days there is a lot so I write it all down because I focus better on tasks when I can see it on paper. Plus, writing it down gives me another tie to remember it.

Another journal entry, another amazing sunrise!

I can take my journal everywhere and I do. I will intentionally watch the sunrise by the water. That is my favorite. I will drive myself to our local wetland area and walk to greet the sun. It’s breathtaking as I witness the birds wake up and take flight to get breakfast. I will take a seat on dry grass and journal my thoughts as I feel them. My journal can handle all my emotions. I sage my journal because I have secrets and my feelings about people never leave my journal. It’s a written expression of my mind. I know that it’s safe and I am safe to have it because no one will read it that lives with me. If I left it somewhere and someone read it, they are welcome. LOL! No one will know it’s me…My point is my journal keeps me going forward in my thoughts because I work them out all the way through. I don’t partially brush my hair, even when it hurts and takes an hour of brushing or an overnight moisturizing hair mask.

Spiritual Yoga Pose

If I were to choose my favorite movement, it would be sun salutations. I don’t just fall into sun salutations though; I will be very slow at first. Especially, if it’s first thing in the morning. One salutation hits every part of your body in movement! I usually hang out in forward fold to get a great lower back and hamstring stretch. As I get to 2 or 3, I will speed up and get my heart rate going. As Spring approaches it’s calling me to be more adventurous with yoga and possibly get back into my favorite hot yoga studio for early morning movements.

My spiritual yoga pose has to be Warrior I. I have power in my pose and so very grounded. My arms are defined in their space and graceful. My breath is able to freely dance but be masculine in my femineity. I feel neutral and all the things that come with peace. Yoga is so amazing! I can get my movement in, keep my spine fluid and flexible, I get into poses that create movement for my organs, I get meditation done in savasana and BAM! I covered 1 hour of mindful breathing, mindful movement, rest for my body and my mind to process what just happened. My journey down the rabbit hole started with yoga. Just sayin’.

Nourishment

I have been struggling being consistent with cutting out sugar. It is truly an addictive drug. Uggghhhh! If anyone has tips, please pass them along! I bought pineapple and cotton candy grapes but that may be inhibiting my addiction. I do know that this is winter still and its ok for me to sit with nourishment contemplation. Will I cut it out 100% and eat only my dosha fruit/sweets recommendations? Or will I be able to have a dessert once a week? What is it with numbers and eating? LOL! I’m not sure but it’s limiting skills on my mind regarding eating is interesting.

I have been craving kale and sweet potatoes which I do imbibe. Salads have been showing up on my plate as well. I truly honor what my body is wanting, within reason. I do know how to limit myself and not overindulge. It’s seriously a fine line from throwing in the towel and being ravenous with no purpose. I just try to meal plan using 30 different plants in my weekly dinners and lunches. It’s not hard if you learn to cook with herbs. I love herbs and I just took an herbal tea class. The class reminded me of how much I know about herbs and how they feel in my body. It’s time to slowly wake up and welcome in Spring solstice in a few weeks!

I do enjoy sharing my life and nuances I find out along the way. I hope these thoughts can plant healthy ideas in your life. If not, that’s ok too! We are all different and in different stages of growth. Not that my growth is the only one. Just think of how many plants there are out in the world. They are all different but require the same water to grow and be nourished. May your path be blessed with many beginnings!

Wanishi (Thank you – Lenape)

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

New Year, New Pose

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy New Year, my beautiful yogi friend!

I am enjoying the new year on vacation! I’m enjoying myself and finding a lot of peace. I am so full of love, I could burst! For the first time in my life, I feel safe and impervious to defeat. I read my letter to myself from last New Year and after I cried tears of joy for being the strong woman my past self hoped for, I found that I can manifest my life. I achieved my dreams for 2022. What the hell?? I discovered I can be in control and I can drive my life where I want to go. I’m on my mat with every cell in my body screaming, “New year, new pose!”

Me a year ago, I was growing without boundaries, rules, or expectations. I quickly found that doesn’t work.

Spiritual Growth Needs Rules and Boundaries

My spiritual growth is exponential. I found the recipe to get my butt in gear and ran! I had a hard life growing up and found myself stuck in a circle of cleaning up after myself a lot. I feel like I didn’t know how to think or advocate for myself. I acknowledged other people’s rules and boundaries but never loaded myself up with any. I should have. I learned that boundaries are healthy and not rude. I require space and time to reflect on my day now. I was always going, going, going and my path lead me to drink profusely, rarely follow through on my thoughts of self-improvement, and never set any goals. I was doing what I could to get through the day. I was surviving and not thriving! So exhausted all the time.

It gets better. As sure as the sun rises a new day begins. I found a way to get unstuck from my old way of thinking. It didn’t serve me, it was only meant for my survival. I got away from the things trying to kill me and began living again🥰

My Awakening

I slept hard for 40 years and all of a sudden, I awoke. My senses judged my surroundings. I became aware of my decisions and I wanted to clean up my life. I focused so much on my yoga and meditation. I found board yoga and made a new friend with the owner. Actually, I found myself with a bunch of new friends, enjoying new things and not just enjoying them but loving them. It changed me. I became new and vibrant. My thoughts were loving and fresh. I had so much freedom but it was all still new. I, again, overbooked my calender cause I had to try all the new yoga classes, sound baths, paddleboarding, and retreats. I was so inquisitive about living that I found myself longing for rest.

I made my 1st sourdough to round out 2022💝

My Restful Rest

I seriously love a great meditation that recharges my energies and resets my mind. Ahhhhh… so rested and loved. All of this is intentional love back to myself. In the beginning, I meditated less than one minute and definitely not every day. In fact, it took me a solid season to feel any benefit so don’t expect a field of roses after planting the 1st seed. This is a practice. My mind is wired to always think and create. Sitting in silence was way left field! I stayed with guided meditations. I found my silence was indeed waking up the beast. My mind was getting organized and I found myself craving my meditations. By late spring I was meditating daily and to add a cherry on top, I would take my meditations outside😍

My beginning of prana meditations. Prana is the life force. I love to gather my energies by the water. I’m such a water lover! Mni Wiconi! (Water is Life ~ Lakota)

My New Beginnings

So, how will I get into my new pose for 2023? I have a lot of ideas and I’m ready for it!! I spent 2022 getting stronger and wiser. I stopped chasing the mundane. I only want me. I get to experience the highest highs all because I want to be my best self. There isn’t anything in this world worth chasing than my freedom. I am FREE! There aren’t any chains on me anymore. I found my voice, it’s singing from the hills. Sing with me, friend! I just never felt this before and if I could encapsulate this feeling and share it, I would. I only have my stories and my blog is where I share them. I can’t wait to continue my journey onward! Happy New Year!

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Don’t Hesitate to Meditate

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy Wednesday, my beautiful yogi friend!

I have been enjoying this warmer (40-ish degrees) weather and getting outside to walk. I sometimes forget this is even an option in winter. My senses get a huge dose of life and stimulation from the outside environment and it’s amazing! I must remember this past week! Of course, negative temps will keep me in the house but I get today to enjoy the fresh, cool air. Ahhhhhh! I find moving helps me stay aligned with my spiritual fitness. Walking meditation is so grounding and head-clearing for me. I am a dreamer and I enjoy walking without a podcast or music, headphones, or my phone! I’m able to concentrate on my environment and can soak up outside with all 5 senses. One good thing leads to another good thing.

The sun is a bit slow to wake but I wait for the warm rays in anticipation.

On colder days, I wait for the sun to alleviate my icy face, and I’ll meditate. I have to get my daily focus done and get my purpose centered or I lose all control of my day. I get seated comfortably and place the back of my hands on my knees so I fill them with the sun’s offerings. My mind is filtering my thoughts and setting aside things to focus on. I find if I carry something from yesterday or last week, I can decide what to do with it. Keep it or toss it? I enjoy the control of my thoughts. I don’t have to keep anything that hurts or I can deeply explore its roots and get it solved. I’m pretty good at meditating. Sometimes my thoughts are clear and sometimes it’s a long session of sorting chaos. Regardless, it’s important and I enjoy cleaning up the day.

Just last week, I learned candlelight meditation. We held a light gaze without blinking. After a minute or so, I closed my eyes and imagined the flame dancing. Memories of the flame outline danced in my mind until it flickered away. My mind settled on the directions of my teacher and began the guided meditation. I would say this was relaxing after it was said and done. I didn’t know what to expect so my mind wasn’t at rest. I guess it was too new so I may try this again soon. I like to try something more than twice to decide if I like it or not.

My favorite time after yoga to reflect and rest… meet savasana.

Have I told you savasana is my best meditation? It’s the desert after dinner. The cleansing of the full moon. The feeling of lightness after a much-needed cry session. I give my all to my mind-to-body connection. Each pose is purposeful and I’m mindful of my abilities. Such care and love go into my yoga practice. I find myself so intentional that the break of savasana lets me explore the feeling after. I absolutely love my 30-minute savasana that includes yoga nidra in my Tuesday class. Delicious! I highly recommend it!

I practice my meditations at home as well incorporating my healing sound bowl. My bowl is deep vibrations that envelope my hearing in healing comfort. I cannot wait to add more bowls but I’m having fun perfecting my healing modalities. I meditate before and after my session. I really enjoy learning new things and exploring how to manifest them into my healing journey. There is no one size fits all. I find self-exploration the best tool to finding your best chances at meditating. You gotta crawl before you walk. Don’t expect 5 minutes of meditating to not feel like 50 minutes on your first rodeo. Do 1 minute and add 1 minute per week. I was a beginner too and my mind was loud! It gets less chaotic but some days are busier than others. Keep practicing and find yourself in a whole new state of mind. Yogi’s honor🧘🏽‍♀️🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Winter Solstice

December 21, 2022December 21, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy winter solstice, friends!

The snow is a comfort to my eyes. It’s memories of sledding with my brother and dad, snowball fights, snow angels and bravely looking up towards the gray abyss and catching fat snowflake clumps in my eyes and mouth. I dance in these memories. Nothing but pure joy on memories. I have many. This was my childhood. I need new memories in my 40s of winter. I’m planning on ringing in the new year in Colorado! I’m so excited to spend 6 days with my family in a beautiful cabin home. I will relish in these memories for years to come. Until then, I will bring some food comfort memories into the game!

I find myself skipping breakfast most days. I have been on a sweets kick for a few months now. It’s so annoying but I quit drinking alcohol so if I have a cookie or 2 a day it’s better than picking up a beer…or more, which usually is more than 1. So skipping breakfast is my balance. Some days, I’ll just have stewed apples. I’ll peel 2 small apples and cut them into chunks with filtered water and my chai seasoning spices. I’ll cook for 5-10 min and add more cinnamon before eating. I’ll save the hot spiced water to add to my morning herbal tea. I have been enjoying sipping on CCF (Cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds) tea throughout the day. I also, toast pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds and mix them in a jar. I will eat 1 tablespoon a day to help me thicken my hair. I’ve had covid once a year and the hair loss is sad 😔

Me and Mr. Baby like to be lazy together ❤️

So, if you know anything about Ayurveda then you should know your dosha. Doshas are based on elements of fire, water, earth, air, and space. I am Kapha – Pitta which affords me water & earth (Kapha) and fire & water (Pitta). I know I am missing space and air, so I can incorporate these into my eating habits. I create “space” by eliminating breakfast. I can add vata foods but since it’s winter, this is known as Vata season. I feel pretty balanced thus far. I make sure I check in every morning during my meditation to see where I’m out of balance. I can find myself feeling heavy if I don’t move and I feel too grounded and not connected to things that bring me joy, like yoga. Food can initiate pleasure as well, as long as it doesn’t create more kapha in me. Like fried foods, heavy meals late, sweets and buttery fats, geez typing this made me sweat. Lol!

I typically eat soups and stews but my corn soup needed a fry bread accompaniment 🥰

So, my lunch will be between 11 and noon. I break my fast with a well thought out meal. I typically like to meal prep a big pot of stew or soup for the week I can eat off of but this week is short for me so I’m having leftover arrabiata gluten free spaghetti with beef and a kale salad. Beef is sweet, arrabiatta is pungent with garlic, onions, red pepper, parmesan cheese is salty, tomatoes are sour, basil dried from my summer garden enhance astringent flavors, and a quick tossed kale salad to introduce bitterness to my fully balanced meal.

As long as love is included, all foods are good foods💖

After lunch, it’s important to let my body do its thing and digest. I will watch Youtube videos or read for a bit before beginning working. This is a sacred time for me to be with my thoughts and make sure I’m digesting my experiences as well. I won’t need to eat again until dinner. I used to be in a rush to eat before yoga but I feel an empty stomach gives me a better practice. I’m not sure why but instead of my body focusing on digesting, it can focus on my mind- body connection. I feel all the hallelujahs when I’m empty of food, not on love🤩

I have been enjoying dinner with my family. My daughter has been working on a 500-piece puzzle and I like to talk to her while she matches up pieces. I find eating the exact same thing my family eats at the same time gives me what I need in this season. It’s more 80/20 and I give myself leniency because I work for myself and not against myself. I find all the love in the season and take what I want to keep. I am not obligated to always be what I think I’m supposed to be. I’m evolving and taking my family for a ride on the crazy train! We love it cause we are together. We are a family that isn’t dripping in our perfections 24/7, I love them and they’re my perfect family🥹💞

For dinner, I enjoy a small plate of food with as much adherence to the 6 tastes as possible. I may have a cookie or 2 and a cup of cacao to settle me into my bed. Crumbs and all.

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Feeling Kapha-tastic!

December 19, 2022December 19, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

The northern hemisphere part of the world is getting ready for the winter solstice. The shortest, darkest day of the year will begin to descend upon us and bring the cold wintry air with it. Brrrrrrr! It’s so cold this week and we’ll get a blanket of snow twice! Fingers crossed! That is an increase of kapha outside. Cold, wet, heavy…I better get a jump ahead of the weather or I’ll be dragged down in my kapha-isms, if I may make up an “ism”.

Winter wonderland dreams of a white Christmas 😍

When the weather outside is frightful, how do I keep Kapha in check? How can I ensure I feel kapha-tastic? I make sure I’m moving and grooving! I work out with my husband at 5 am lifting weights followed by walking on the treadmill or bike for 30 min. I follow that with a yoga practice with no mind on time. I’ll just move the way my body craves. Lots of forward folds, vinyasas, side bends, and child’s pose. I find movement counteracts my want to be lazy.

Weekend reads: “Hester on the Run” by Linda Byler & “Mythology of the Lenape: guide and texts” by John Bierhorst

I had a very balanced weekend. My dogs and I walked around the county lake, I visited with my dad, me and my daughter decorated sugar cookies, I read two books, and I found time for yoga and meditation. I’m enjoying utilizing my healing bowl as I settle to meditate daily. It’s so important for me to clear my head and begin the day again. So freeing! Kaphas tend to hold onto stuff that doesn’t serve them. I readily admit that is me all day! If I’m cleaning my mind, life, closets, and my car; I have a better, healthier mindset. Plus, I can find my stuff quicker! Winning!

When I begin to feel the winter blues, I will steep me a tea with St. John’s Wort and Chamomile. Yum yum! I will pour this into my to go cup and get winter ready in my gear and go for a walk. I must get into this weather and enjoy nature. I need a refueling, if you must know. Refueling prana is amazing! Prana is the life force of everything. The trees, birds, squirrels, water flowing, wind moving, the earth rotating. Deep breaths in as I pause by a creek listening to the water flow heavily over rocks, it tickles. Life is truly abundant in my heart and soul. I am alive!

Puppy pose with a right head twist 🧘🏽‍♀️

I also find the air drier. My hair feels drier and definitely my skin! I like to make my own body butter with my herbal oils, Shea butter, beeswax, and essential oils. I’ve been digging peppermint, eucalyptus, ylang ylang, rosemary, and vanilla. Yum yum! I’ll pay attention to all my limbs and really massage the oils in with all the caring love my hands can muster. I also add oil onto my scalp and hair ends a few times per week. I’ll brush it through and braid my hair for the day. I’ll wash it out in a bath later that evening. It really helps keep my hair shiny and moisturized!

Me and my Fam taking pictures with a famous lamp😅

So, to wrap up my post, in the longer, darker, winter days I do not stay on the couch and get lost in my thoughts and dreams. I must get up and move, I keep clutter at bay (not only my closets and pantry, but my mind too!), I get outside into the elements and breathe in all the prana I can handle, and I self massage with oils. I also eat seasonally and include all 6 tastes. If I’m feeling overly kapha then I will use food/spices that counteract it. We’ll discuss that Wednesday (also, the winter solstice!) over CCF tea😘

All the love, all the blessings💗

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

A Little Bit of Love Goes a Long Way

December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Hi, friends!

I have been soaking in all the Christmas spirit. I love this time of year for the kindness people exude and carry love to those in need. Oh, why can’t we love every day? This is a great reminder to put in your daily love for yourself as well. 5, 10, 15, 20? What’s your numbered threshold? What will you allow as adequate time to nourish and refuel on love?

My discovery of my needs for the day typically begins with my self-reiki practice. I get my mind and body in tune and I proceed to meditate. Meditation is my love language. Sometimes, I think of the things that bring me joy and love and my brain tingles with the memories. Once, I know my day’s intentions it’s only 5:30 am. So many hours to go!

I completed my 1st full moon ceremony under the clouds but the moon was still out in the western sky. Full moon in Gemini.

I recently went to visit relatives in Oklahoma. I met with my Auntie who told stories for 3 hours! I wish I recorded her but these stories were so amazing I wrote them down off memory. I love, love discovering my family roots. As we are coming to the winter solstice, in Lenapè ways we told stories. I’m planning on getting some stories ready and getting my family together to listen. I hope they share as well.

Uncle Eddie’s home on wheels in Oklahoma😍

I think just last year, I was shopping, shopping, shopping. My love showed up as a gift or cash. That was exhausting showing up at stores, waiting in long lines, waiting for the mail, and money spent for all the wrong reasons. I was learning. I did what my parents did. I learn from sight and seeing others do what they do. I don’t want my Christmas nights consumed by shopping and leave me entering 2023 in debt. My love and attention to myself taught me my faults and if I want to be better, I better tend to the issues. I love my family and I give great gifts but I’m no longer going to stress about how much I need to spend to care.

Eating seasonal foods boost me up with nutrients and the strength to deal with late fall weather💪🏾 I made a butternut coconut curry soup & roasted beet soup😍

I find joy in my nights when I can read my books. Right now I’m reading “Science of Yoga” by Ann Swanson & “Drink?” by Professor David Nutt. These books are captivating and I’m learning so much. I enjoy learning how good yoga is for my body and what happens in each pose. This information is life changing! Plus, “Drink?” exposes what alcohol does to your body and how it will change your life, if you let it. Scary stuff.

I hope you find joy in the season of greetings! Or even better, that you find your joy amongst the busiest of seasons. Breathe and find that a little bit of love goes a long way!

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Monday Mindset

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy Monday!

Me and my doggies ventured out in the cold this morning.

I have been feeling a bit lost in the huge amount of space I created in my life. I now have time to catch up on the library books I borrowed, focus on my blog, continue my herbal studies, focus on my yoga spiritual practice, and go deeper into my meditations. I intend to focus, focus, focus. So far, it’s been about 40% focus. I’m allowed downtime but I feel like it’s not helping me to be productive. I tend to put things that are out of my control on my scope and obsess over them. I’m really curious why this is my focus and not on a cure. Here, I present my Monday mindset.

My Sunday night walks manifest my Mondays💝

Monday is the beginning of the week for most of us. If we can’t figure it out by Monday there’s always next Monday, right? LOL! I hate to admit I do this, especially when it comes to working out. I have come to respect Mondays which I’m sure comes from my amazing boss who doesn’t give me the Sunday scaries. (“Sunday scaries” come from stress on Sunday night because Monday is on the horizon and with that comes all the shit no one wants to deal with but has to.) I also get to set a precedence for the whole week! How do I want to represent myself this week? What meetings, yoga classes, events, and self-care time do I need to add to my calendar and which nights do I need to plan on a crock pot meal? I get to manifest this. I’m pretty powerful because I chose my day, my life. That’s amazing freedom.

So, I have a lot of meetings each week and I look forward to most of them. If not, why are they on my calendar? I may need to reassess if my interests are changing, or do I need to be challenged more? I find Sundays as my day to get things written down, groceries bought, calendars updated, lunch money handed out, and check in on my priorities. I find my Sunday planning is pretty important for my Monday so I’ll share more next week!

As far as my mindset, I really enjoy the things on my calendar. My mindset manifests from the joys in my life. I really found a healthy balance and experience pleasure everyday. Last year on this day, my life was chaotic and too many unknowns. I couldn’t wait to be in this moment today, safe and sound. Life is a trip and even the bad things deserve a mention because it got me to the good things✌🏽 I will never take life for granted and I feel like the ripples my life set are already manifesting. I just need to be patient. For now, I’ll be keeping my healthy mindset and understand nothing outside myself makes me love myself. Change your mindset, change your view💝

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Who’s In Control of This Ship?

November 15, 2022December 12, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / 2 Comments

Happy Tuesday!

I am still a toe into this week. I don’t feel I’m in complete control yet. I’m wavering on a lot of choppy waters in my mind. I’m unsure of myself and my direction. Have you ever felt out of sync? I’m questioning a lot from my thoughts that came up Sunday and Monday to help guide me to my next adventure, my next a-ha moment. I guess, this is a part of my growing process and I must endure the yawns too. It sure beats chaos!

The moon showing me how to make way in the cold, dark, autumn nights

I know I came so far from who I once was. I like the fast trajectory. Who doesn’t? I tend to obsess over something until it no longer serves me. I’ve been researching my family tree and found so many facts I never knew. I talk to my dad more about the past. I found myself spending hours on ancestry.com. Now, I’m still processing all I found and what to do with it now. I also sent off my saliva to be studied to tell me all about my DNA. I can’t wait for those results and I also did traits.

This is Chief Jack Harry, my 3rd great- grandpa. I have 4 Chief grandpas so far in my research. This grandpa died of the flu in Mexico while on business. He was 52.

I find a lot of joy in researching who I come from. It brought tears, anger, sadness, love, hope, fear, and laughter. My family isn’t perfect but they’re mine. Without them, there’s no me. None of my babies. I saw so many censuses with my family and boarding school rosters with my grandmas and grandpas names. I’m only 2nd generation out of boarding schools so there was a lot of generational trauma I’ve been working through, as one could guess. When you find out who you are and where you come from no one can take that from you. That’s your truth.

I have been learning a lot about my gut biome. I never thought to research all of these researched and trademarked bacteria but I want to know what I’m putting into my body.

Another fun fact, is I’ve been taking my health seriously. Aging doesn’t have to be bad or deterioration of your body and mind. I’m embracing all of me. I’m not perfect but I’m optimizing my health one day at a time. I started taking a probiotic. It’s day 5 and no difference yet but I’m still trucking along! I’d like to be more consistent in eating seasonal fruits and veggies. My family only likes 3 or 4 veggies, and yes, they count potatoes. I need to get this fixed. I’m finding myself eating what I cook for my family and not what I need.

I really miss my in-person yoga class. I’m planning on attending today and getting back to my original mission statement. Keeping me happy, safe, and loved. “But a yogi never forgets that health must begin with the body. Your body is the child of the soul. You must nourish and train your child. Physical health is not a commodity to be bargained for. Nor can it be swallowed in the form of drugs and pills. It has to be earned through sweat.” B.K.S. Iyengar.

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Falling Back in Love with Meditation

November 9, 2022December 12, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Happy humpity-hump day! A.K.A. Wednesday!

I have been swaying in the autumn wind. No purpose at all, just the intent to survive. I, once again, found myself stuck. I know meditation grounds me when I’m floating in the unknown. I get bored and feel suffocated when I’m idling for too long with no purpose. I must move out of this mindset and clean house. I’ll show you how I fall (back) in love with meditation.

First things first, I have many different altercations with people in a day, I express and manifest many different emotions, and I just keep moving along. When do I address my day? Well, when I journal and meditate. For me, this is my daily prescription. Just like our brown pill bottle prescription, we forget to take our prescribed medication, and if we do it enough, we lose the benefits of the prescription. I was feeling the strain. I’m talking weeks off. I needed my love back in my life.

I will meditate by the water to get immediate benefits. I instantly fill up from my pranabath.

All I have to do is find a quiet place where I’ll be undisturbed. I’ll get myself settled, comfortable, and close my eyes. Why is this such a hard task? My mindset has been comforted by my lies. I am not ok skipping my meditation. I know this as fact, I need to curb my beliefs away from believing I can live without meditation. Before I get back into my bed or attempt to conquer my day, I require an investigation in my head. Where am I at with my thoughts? I must sit, Gyan Mudra, and Ommmm!

So, what happens when I meditate? First, I have to take in my environment with sight. Second, I breathe in deep and take in my environment through smell. Third, I’ll listen. I need to know I’m safe and will be uninterrupted. I’ll sit cross-legged on a blanket or bolster, I’ll sit on the ground, or just today I sat on a long blade of a rock softened with my yoga mat. I will always be mindful of my comfort. I truly want to be uninterrupted. I’ll gently close my eyes and find fluidity of my thoughts. My intent is to clean. I acknowledge every thought and may categorize each one in my head to gently clear out of my mind. In order to clear, I must be mindful of the depth of thought each situation requires. If something is triggering then I’ll journal about it after. I will figure it out, if not by myself, I will address it with my therapist, sponsor, friends or family.

When I find my head clear I sit. Empty headed. Breathing, barely. I feel enlightened. This is where it’s at. Nothing replaces this euphoria. Nothing beats this human experience. Better yet, it’s free! When I’m done rejuvenating my spirit I will journal my experience. I have to tell someone right? I just hope this sparks an idea to incorporate this very old ancient practice in your life or to bring it back. See what it can do for you. I mean don’t just take my word for it. This is something good for me. This I know💖

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.