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I felt inspired to write a quick post on this Christmas Eve, as I prepare to head out to dinner. I haven’t been on the mat in a few days and am in the middle of a 3-day yoga break from teaching. In part the break is due to canceled classes on the holidays but in reality I realize how much I needed it. As we wind down this year of 2013, our minds turn to the past 12 months and what we’ve done as well as what we have left to do and wish to do in the year ahead. For me, on this Christmas Eve, I’m thinking of how I can practice yoga on this 3-day break in a way that has nothing to do with actual asana (practicing the poses).

We know that yoga is an 8-limbed practice and along those 8 limbs are many other things besides the actual postures we take on the mat. I won’t go into each of the 8 Limbs here but know that these aspects of yoga as a system of health take on both the physical as well as mental aspects of living a healthy life. For me, over the next few days, I’ll be practicing yoga in many different ways, inspired by the 8 Limbs and the callings of my own heart. Here are 10 ways I’ll be practicing my yoga:

Hugging my mom and dad

Kissing my new 3 month old niece

Catching up with my brother and his family

Hugs and kisses for my sweetheart

Saying “thank you” to friends, family and those in my community that I see regularly

Being grateful for the people that come to my classes and letting them know how grateful I am when I see them this week

Taking time to being grateful for all that I have in my life

Hugging my 14 year old lab, Bailey Rose, and being grateful she’s in my life

Grounding into my faith for both what I know and what I don’t and having faith that what lies ahead is more than I could ever imagine

Taking time to meditate and allow myself to tap into my intuition.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and anything else I’ve written over the years. I wish you a good night and  a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year.

Peace and Namaste,

Karen