“Smile happy, smile bright, let your thoughts become light!” :-)
“Smile happy, smile bright, let your thoughts become light!” :-)
Why Do We Want to Celebrate?
The most important reason that I have found is to feel goodness and happiness within the very core of who I am. This makes it a lot more natural to go out into the world and bring good cheer. And with this good feeling in hand goodness and cheer will flow into our lives simply because that is what we are asking for through our behavior. Even when unexpected expenses and unfortunate events come up in my life now, I realize that keeping in a spirit of celebration alleviates and even redirects any difficult feelings to more positive ones.
In this past article, “How to Love Yourself by Looking Through Lenses of Love,” I explain how our perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors can be altered to bring us to a happier place in life. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-looking-through-the-lenses-of-love
This article written by John Krakauer, a neurologist from Columbia University, speculates on the pleasure and reward that people receive from watching others dance as well as dancing themselves. According to John, dancing and watching dancing also stimulates sensitive motor regions of the brain, which attune our brains and bodies to others. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-dance/
Christopher Bergland, a wold-class endurance athlete, coach, author, and political activist, gives us convincing president and evidence for moving our body to maintain good overall health. He pulls wisdom from ancient times like the Greek philosopher Thales, research from director of Beckman Institute, Art Kramer, life lessons from president Theodore Roosevelt, and many others. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201409/moving-your-body-is-good-your-mind
“Smile happy, smile bright, let your thoughts become light!” :-)
How Do We Celebrate?
- “Smile happy!”
- “How to Love Yourself by Practicing Your Best is Enough! :-)” is an article which includes many reasons to smile and laugh. It also suggests many ways to celebrate yourself for who you are right now in your life by letting go of regrets to reveal the wonderfulness that is you. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-practicing-your-best-is-enough
- It can be very difficult to find happiness if we are always drifting from thought to thought in our minds. We can become distracted by the past, stories of “what if,” regrets of perceived failures, comparison to others, fearful stories, or anything else that distracts us from the beauty found in every moment. “How to Love Yourself by Finding Clarity and Focus! :-)” is an article that talks about the advantages and methods of being more mindful and thankful in our everyday lives. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-finding-clarity-and-focus-how-to-make-2016-a-great-year
- One of the best ways to celebrate ourselves and really feel happiness from within is to know that we are following what is right and true from the deepest level of who we are. At times it can be rather difficult to hear what our heart is telling us to do in a certain situation or at a certain time in our lives. Aligning to this sense of right has been very important to me in so many ways in order to consistently feel happiness in my life. May this article, “How to Love Yourself by Following Your Rules! :-)” be a helpful guide in finding our deepest Truth. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/how-to-love-yourself-by-following-your-rules
- “Smile bright!” Any non harming way that we can celebrate joy and happiness on the outside expresses celebration. As long as we open our hearts we will feel amazing as a result!
- I find that the first step for me to be able to open up,celebrate, and extend myself into the world with some act of happiness like a smile, laugh, song, or dance is to find a little courage. Unfortunately, this can also make me feel vulnerable to criticism. For me, courage often comes from taking life less seriously or realizing that life will go on despite wounds to my pride or perceived failures and misfortunes.
- “How to Love Yourself by Enjoying the Journey” offers ways to move through life with a sense of joy that comes from learning to relax and feel a sense of faith that everything will work out for the best. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-enjoying-the-journey
- “How to Love Yourself by Being a Peaceful Warrior” gives us some ways to take ourselves less seriously. By realizing when our ego is taking control of our thoughts, we can let selfish desires go. As a result, we are free to find a humbler way of acting that will allow us to celebrate with others freely. http://forselflove.weebly.com/blog/-how-to-love-yourself-by-being-a-peaceful-warrior
- Once we can feel that courage within, then the real fun can begin. Whenever I
- Smile-This might include any pleasant facial expression that helps you convey a feeling of joy and celebration of life.
- Laugh-This might include any verbal expression that brings happiness.
- Funny sounds,
- Singing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVZRBLeBGe8
- and, of course laughing, which may or may not include snorting! :-)
- Or move in a fun energetic way (This may or may not be considered dancing, but it is always fun unless I start to worry about being good enough. I am not very rhythmic or dance coordinated, so I understand this fear all to well. However, it doesn't out weigh the good and cheer it can bring if I leave my ego out of it and practice humility. In other words, OK I may not be perfect, but I can still have fun, and learn laugh at myself.)
- I find that the first step for me to be able to open up,celebrate, and extend myself into the world with some act of happiness like a smile, laugh, song, or dance is to find a little courage. Unfortunately, this can also make me feel vulnerable to criticism. For me, courage often comes from taking life less seriously or realizing that life will go on despite wounds to my pride or perceived failures and misfortunes.
- “Let your thoughts become light!” When I let out that good feeling by celebrating in one form or another it is a good practice for myself to allow my thoughts to be light, so that worries and fear might not ruin the good times.
- “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26).” Whenever I look back on something in fear and doubt, I can almost see the good that my action had brought crumbling away through the reactions of those around me. Let's not act as if we are bad at smiling, laughing, singing, or dancing when we decide to celebrate with others, because if we are not willing to act without doubt, why would they believe our intention to be true. The results might not be a “perfect Hollywood performance,” but the good that our good spirited action can do are real if we can embrace the results whatever they might be.
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).” Sometimes the people around you can seem so frightening, can seem in such a bad mood that we don't want to risk saying anything, let alone smiling and saying “Hi, how are you today?” I work in retail, so I know this feeling.
- Sometimes this humble celebration of life is all another person needs to begin to heal a little. I remember a woman that came in saying that she wanted to commit suicide. I was taken aback, not sure what she would do if I said or did anything. However, I resolved to continue talking and being as pleasant as I could, and eventually she seemed to be having fun and enjoying the conversation. Trusting that we are working for something much more than our own happiness, but a greater sense of Love and unity in the world, can help us get through a tense situation unwavering, because we can trust that God, Love, unity, and all life is there to help us succeed.
- This is not to say that everyone that comes to me leaves with a outward smile, but showing them my smile and sharing my kind words is always done in the service of a greater good. To be searching for rewards in others behavior would undermine that. When I act in self serving way, I can feel the withdraw of the protection and good fortune that acting in Love had brought to me.
- When our body feels light and health, it can be easy to feel lightness in our mind. So performing yoga postures or asanas is a great way to retain “Let your thoughts be light!” Also, yoga can help our bodies learn to move more confidently and energetically, so that when the time comes, dancing feels a little more natural.
“Smile happy, smile bright, Let your thoughts be light!” :-)
How Ardha Matsyendrana can Help Us Celebrate!
I want to thank Mandy Hinkle for her wonderful neck stretching routine that started the search for this week's pose. She is a wonderful yoga teacher, who specializes in healing yoga for trauma. She teaches at the Yoga Room in Niles, Ohio and Om Yoga Studio in Hubbard, Ohio. Here is a link to her Face Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/mandyhinkle.yoga?fref=ts
According to Judy Rukat, yoga teacher, Ardha Matsyendrasana is attributed to Shri Matsyendranath, aka Lord of the Fishes. He is recognized as the co-founder of Hatha yoga. He developed his yoga practice inside the belly of a giant fish by listening to the first yogis, Shiva and Shakti. This is her full article http://www.doyouyoga.com/how-to-do-half-lord-of-the-fishes-78358/
According to yogawiz.com, Ardha Matsyendrasana has a variety of benefits
- The most valuable is the lateral twist in the spine, which contributes to the overall vitality of the body.
- Maintains the fluidity and flexibility of the spine as it turns the vertebrate in both directions
- Allows an increase of blood flow to the spine
- Helps to alleviate lower back pain and fibrositis of back and hips
- Eliminates irritation and soreness in the joints
- Increases lubricating fluid to energize the joints
- Tones spinal nerve roots, which activates sweat glands, increases heart rate, and encourage the liver and spine to discharge glucose
- Accelerates the circulation and regulates the breathing
- Regular practice composes the abdominal muscles, and vitalizes the large intestine
- Releases toxins in the digestive tract and provides relief in conditions like constipation and dyspepsia
- Stimulates the gastric juices and builds a healthy appetite
- Benefits the kidneys, spleen gall bladder, bowels, and the liver
- Augments the vigor and vitality, consequently preventing innumerable diseases
- Helps correct nerve disorders
- Helps calm the mind
- For women, improves health of the urinary system and reproductive organs by increasing circulation to the pelvic region, thereby supplying oxygen, nutrients, and blood to the area
- Helps prevent urinary track infections
- For women, regular practice helps reduce menstrual disorders
- Therapeutic applications
- Constipation
- Sciatica
- Diabetes
- Cervical Spondylitis
- Anorexia
- Menstrual disorders
- Indigestion
Here is yogawiz.com's full article, which includes precautions, technique steps, beginner's tip, benefits, variations, preparatory poses, and follow up poses. http://www.doyouyoga.com/the-holistic-benefits-of-crow-pose-66121/
Let's Practice Ardha Matsyendrasana! :-)
CAUTION: Women who are menstruating or pregnant should avoid this pose. Be Cautious if suffering from hernia or peptic ulcer. Persons with severe back or spinal issues should only practice under the guidance of an expert instructor.
Technique
- Sit down on the ground with legs extended out in front of you, and toes flexed toward the ceiling.
- Bend your right leg, placing your foot firmly on the ground near the left knee.
- Lifting the right leg slightly, bend and rotate your left leg, so that the knee is pointing forward, the leg is on the ground, and the heel is touching the outside of the right buttock. Set the right foot back down, so that it is still near the left knee, and the left lower leg rests underneath the bent right leg.
- Rotate your torso, so that the right arm rests on the ground behind you, and the left elbow touches the inside of the right knee. Bend you left arm, flatten your hand, and point you fingers up. Gaze behind your back if not already doing so.
- Remember to relax and breathe while in this pose. Hold this pose for as many breathes as you would like or are able to.
- Recommended feel good practice: First, only follow these suggestions if they help you relax more. Remember the goal is relaxation. Simply breathing is enough in many cases, but these might deepen your experience.
- As you breathe try thinking to yourself the following sentence with each breath. “Smile happy!” inhale. “1” exhale. “Smile bright!” inhale. “2” exhale. “Let your thoughts. “3” exhale. “be light!” inhale. “4” exhale. Continue this as long as you would like.
- Smiling will help you relax even more.
- Feel the extension of your spine and the expansion of your hips. Are you easy or tense? Do your best to ease into the pose, breathing and relaxing, letting go of worries, and inviting happy light feelings. Savor this moment! Try listening to your favorite happy tune or one of the three listed above.
- When you are done with this side, release to step one. Then repeat steps 2-5 on the other side.
- Once you are done with both sides, thank your body for carrying you through such a relaxing and liberating practice today! Remember to “Let your thoughts be light! :-)” as you move on to whatever is next for you and smile! :-)
If there is a topic you are passionate about or question that you would like answered about how to Love ourselves better, I would love to hear it. Please write a comment about it here or on Face Book in the "For the Love of Self" discussion area.
Thank you very much for taking time to consider how to relax and enjoy celebrating yourself and life's circumstances by reading “How to Love Yourself by Celebrating! :-)” Writing this article has been a real help to realize how I celebrate myself, others, and life in general much more abundantly! “Smile happy, smile bright, let your thoughts become light!”