Talk About What You Love--Don't Be A D-bag!

We all know at least one person who bitches about EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. This could be someone who even talks a lot of smack about their own friends. Why do these d-bags seem so crabby and slightly arrogant all the time? Because they talk about the things they don't love.

Urban Dictionary: d-bag

short for douche bag, someone who is socially disfunctional in some way. generally an ass hole, some one who does something shady and low to someone else

Any of these sound familiar?

• How dare they put cheese on the same plate as my cumin infused quinoa kale salad. I SAID VEGAN!
• I don't know her, but she looks stupid dancing like that. 
• That woman in the checkout was so slow. They should have a special line for slow customers.

Constantly talking about the negative is not only exhausting to listen to, but it is also a big drain on overall energy and happiness. Talking about what you don't love is like the annoying parrot locked up in a cage. (SQUAWK! SQUAWK! I HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY! SQUAWK!)

Talk about the things you do love.

• This quinoa kale salad is so damn good! I can give the cheese to my dairy eating boyfriend.
• I don't know her, but she looks like she is having fun. So where is the bar?
• The line at the checkout was moving slow so I had a chance to read Crazy Sexy Yoga blogs.

When we start talking about the things we do love. We move to a place of freedom from negative thoughts. We begin to soar like a bird in the sky singing our beautiful melodies.

What To Do If You Encounter A D-bag
Don't participate in their complaining (you don't want to become a douche too!). If that person is someone you want around, then confront them about their incessant bitching and how they are a drain on overall happiness for everyone around them. If that doesn't work, TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT! Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you. Focus on the positives and soon the negatives will be harder to see.

What To Do If You Realize YOU Are A D-bag
It is simple. Open your mind before you open your mouth. Don’t hate what you don’t know. The mind is like a parachute; it doesn’t work when it’s closed.

The Space Between (Poses--Not Thighs)

Lately I have been talking about the space between.(No, not the space between like "inner thigh gap" as my husband likes to call it.) I am talking about transitions from one yoga pose to the next.

I have been noticing the over use of momentum in yoga classes. (Yes, sir. That would be you flying through that chaturanga like you are in a race with Usain Bolt for the Olympic gold.)

We tend to rush to the glory pose, the grand finale, the Pièce de résistance and ignore the less glamorous and possibly more challenging moments along the way. The transitions.

Just as in life, the transitions are not the easiest and certainly not the most glamorous. It is in the transitions we become stronger, more aligned, and our yoga practice starts to transform. (Yes, I am sure that break up was terrible and getting over "him" sucked. But aren't you stronger now? See what I mean?)

When you linger in the transitions from pose to pose you will start to feel your practice as a whole. From the moment you unroll your mat to the final Namaste'.

3 Reasons To Focus On The Space Between

1. Build Strength- Slowing down and not using momentum as a crutch will help develop muscles that are under utilized. As you become stronger, you will be able to reach greater depth and stability in your poses.

2. Avoid Injury- moving too quickly can cause poor alignment. As a result, you could find yourself blowing out shoulders, knees, wrists, and more (OUCH!)

3. It makes you humble- You will learn to let go of the idea that the big pose means you are THE BEST YOGI IN THE WORLD (or at least in that room on that day). Ever wonder why that beautiful yogi a few mats down unfurls herself so gracefully up and down in headstand? It's because she is focused on the transitions (a lot of core work baby!) and not as concerned with standing on her head.