BarefootAndUpsideDown
YOGA – the search for SELF. BUT if taken too seriously, too competitively, if hollowed out, commodified and consumerised, yoga builds EGO and wallets as much as BODY and SOUL. The goals are freedom, unity, inner peace. When practice becomes rigid, the yogi-ni builds boundaries, separation. I’m laughing, sometimes in a still silence, sometimes loud with gasping sounds deep from my belly and pumping diaphragm. WHY? Because all of my struggle and my dismal efforts don’t get me anywhere.
I don’t know where I am going. It’s ludicrous to even think there is some WHERE to get.
I already am. And I am laughing.
Yoga as PLAY, CHALLENGE, INSIGHT
Yoga as MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
Yoga as TRANSFORMATION, ENERGY, HEALING
Yoga as ART, MUSIC, POETRY
Yoga as COMING HOME
Welcome to Barefoot & Upside Down.
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
This information is not intended to replace competent medical care. Check in with your health care provider to be certain you will benefit from physical activity, including breath work. If suffering from major depression, please seek professional guidance before engaging in sustained periods of meditation. All material is under my copy protection. Feel free to print or quote for your own use, but please respect my work. You are required to include my byline and/or reference: Carolyn Kieber Grady.
I love your post.
It is so soothing, like the sound of a flowing stream in a forest.
I am at work right now so your post is as close to a meditation I can get.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Be loved!
Gratitude to you both for complimenting
the opening page of LaughingYogini.
Buddhaman, I DID try to capture the essence of the journey in that piece. It’s an answer to those who say “Why meditate?” And as you end your comment, it can be said in one word, LOVE. Thank you.
Wonderful post. I like at the beginning where you share how you wonder if there is a place to get to. So true! Maybe we just need to be. The picture of the frog is beautiful. Thanks for coming by my place and taking the time to comment. I wish you a relaxing week!!
Oh what a gorgeous website
And that frog just looks so comfortable and joyful!
every time i visit your blog, i get a big smile on my face
Such beauty your page is! So happy the frog makes me! For your wisdom grateful I am!
p.s. send me oms or whatever else might work to get me back to my yoga mat……I need a kick in the butt!
Hi Carolyn! I’m so glad I found you and was able to attend yoga last night! I look forward to learning more and improving my balance (both physical and mental!). Thank you for allowing me to join you!
Hello EVERYONE!
Hope you are BEING this week! I am with you on this.
Mel @box of chocolates Hope you get a chance to dive into the LY blog – the button is on the upper right corner = where it says BLOG
Goddess Leonie, Thanks for stopping by. We are joyful…and sad….and energized…and tired,… and sad…and contemplative…feeling all of life!
isabella mori ~ I get a huge smile when you visit!
Lydia ~ wisdom is a gift that needs an outlet….consider yourself kicked :-0
Kelly Filkins ~ You are a light in the world….may you shine ever stronger and brighter with each passing day
Gisele Frazeur ~ You are also in my heart. Let’s not lose the connection
I love everything about your blog, it feels like coming home to all that I hold dear, the garden, the yoga, oh the yoga…and let’s not forget the frog! Peace and love.
Great blog, Carolyn. Well organized, beautiful, user friendly–great photos! Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I’ve added you to my friends on blogcatalog. Thanks again, and good luck on your beautiful site!
Lana, Debbie, and Carol: thanks for your lovely response.
NAMASTE. “the beauty in me salutes the beauty in you” _/l\_
Just wanted to stop and say hello and let you know that I’m back to my practice. Thank you for the inspiration!
Breath is Spirit. The act of breathing is Living. Author Unknown
Great blog, Carolyn. Well organized, beautiful, user friendly–great photos!
Lydia, I am glad you are back. I am also slowly returning to writing and posting regularly. I’m currently working on yoga book, so the blog posts will be less frequent, but I’m excited to be able to share with y’all in a different format.
Keep me in your loop.I love your writing. namaste.
Nguyet and Tracy, WELCOME to barefootandupsidedown. I’m so happy you are here. The community is friendly and supportive. Hope you enjoy and gather something of benefit.
I braved the weather this morning and went to Saturday yoga. Am I glad I did! I wasn’t the only one to come out. 6 of us laughed at old man winter and we had a great class. So much energy.
Carolyn talked about intentions and last year I remember writing a short letter to myself stating my goals, sealing it and of course it is now lost. This year I’m posting my goals and intentions on this blog.
I intend to work on patience. In my home life, at the store, with my family and the list goes on. My second goal is to improve my balance in the standing poses. I have created a permanent yoga space with lots of wall space and intend to focus on one standing pose at a time.
I feel so lucky to have Carolyn and yoga in my life.
I really love your posts – they are so authentic. Also, the way you explain yoga it sounds much more like a re-connection to the source and a natural state of being than mere exercise.
Bill @ Backlink Energizer´s last [type] ..Backlink Energizer
I love your post and how you explain about yoga and OMG your picture with you almost in splits! That’s awesome!
Natalie´s last [type] ..Hello Again
Thanks Natalie. Sounds as if you have been practicing yoga for a while yourself. Would love to hear your thoughts of what yoga means to you.
carolyn