Did Yoga Help New York Giants win the Superbowl?
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) stretches during practice for the NFL Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis February 2, 2012. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes
What do the New York Giants and Madonna have in common?
That is besides being watched by 111 million viewers last night…and both being winners in their field…
YOGA!
The New York Giants practice Yoga.
According to the New York Post on Saturday, February 4, their Yoga teacher, Gwen Lawrence, has been keeping the players in shape with regular Yoga practice since 2004. “Lawrence’ Yoga classes are mandatory for the Giants rookies and optional for the vets, though many of them go regularly, including Eli Manning…” the Post states.
“It’s a very demanding form of exercise that includes balance, strength, flexibility, mental toughness, focus, and proper breathing,” Lawrence is quoted as saying in the article. “Pro athletes of all types see that it will improve their health and longevity on the field of play.”
Madonna was an Astanga Yoga devotee for many years. This is a Yoga practice that is very physical and intense. Madonna is 53 years old and appears to be in fantastic shape. Here are some pictures of Madonna’s Superbowl half-time show in case you missed it.
Read more about the top New York Giants players’ favorite Yoga poses.
Here’s a video from 2009 showing some Giants practicing Yoga.
Read about Gwen Lawrence’ approach to teaching Yoga to football players and “regular people.”
Just another reason to try Yoga!
Namaste,
Chrissy
What my pack did today…
Burning brush in the yard
After our walk to the lake, my husband made a fire in the woods by our house to burn brush and “get rid of a lot of crap” around the yard. Why do men like fire so much?
Max and Molly our Siberian Huskies
Max and Molly, were tied to each other by a long rope. Siberian Huskies are known to run, to follow the call of the wild. Tying them to each other keeps them from going too far. Every time one put a bit of tension on the rope, the other stopped and paid attention. My daughter figured this out when she was home for Christmas.
Max and Molly discover something new
I’m always amazed at dogs’ sense of smell. I’ve heard it’s something like 400 times that of humans. What do they smell under the snow? Often Max and Molly both attack the same spot at once.
When I was finished being out in the freezing cold, I asked, “Who wants to go in the house?” Max, the homebody of the two, led the way to the back door. Molly reluctantly trailed behind.
Another snowy Saturday in Cape Breton…
Dogs in the woods
How I Live Yoga
Max, one of my Siberian Huskies, loves Yoga
I first started practicing Yoga many years ago. There were no classes in my town so I bought a book and learned the Yoga poses in my living room often with my little girl by my side.
I would often topple over onto the floor when holding a Yoga posture and I usually felt wobbly afterwards like my muscles had had a major workout.
Before long I started to notice something besides shaking muscles after practicing the sequence of Yoga poses. I felt calmer and had a sense of contentment afterward like there was this equilibrium within me. Things that would normally cause me to get upset suddenly didn’t seem as important in the big scheme of things.
I started to pay more attention to my health. I gave up smoking and bought different kinds of fresh vegetables and whole grains. I ate more slowly and mindfully, cut back on junk food and thought more about fresh food to nourish my body.
At one point I thought it would be great, even necessary, to go away by myself for a period of time to practice Yoga, read, meditate and pray without distractions. It was certainly not a practical thing to contemplate with small children.
Then one day I was reading about B.K.S. Iyengar, the famous Yoga teacher from India. He has been practicing Yoga for over 80 years and had brought Yoga to the west. B.K.S. Iyengar said it’s normal to think about going off by yourself but we are better to practice Yoga in our everyday life. That is the biggest challenge.
Anyone can go up to a mountain to stay, practice Yoga and be alone. But to practice the Yoga poses, observe the breath, be in the present moment in the class or in your living room and then take your Yoga off the mat into your daily life–that is truly practicing Yoga.
Yoga has been part of my life for over 15 years including nine years as a Yoga teacher. My personal Yoga practice has changed. I have moved from a stronger more physically challenging personal Yoga practice to a gentler Yoga practice with more seated meditation.
Whatever type or style of Yoga you practice, as long as you do it on a regular basis, with an intention to being open to its positive effects, it can’t help but have a positive effect on every aspect of your life.
Namaste,
Chrissy
My day as a stay-at-home mom without kids
"Adam, have you seen my other shoe?"
Today was one of those days that I did not feel very productive. My goals today: to make banana muffins and write. My morning ran late. ..
I had breakfast with my husband, cleaned the kitchen, walked to the lake with Max and Molly, did the housework–swept, dusted, cleaned the bathrooms and made the bed.
Then I got distracted on the computer reading important stuff….So my shower got underway about 11:15 and I wanted to get the muffins in the oven by 11:45 to have them for lunch.
I rushed downstairs and threw all the ingredients together, added some cranberries, pumpkin seeds and flax…and realized I’d forgotten the bananas. My un-banana muffins turned out fine despite my absentmindedness.
This afternoon I planned to write but as Marsha Brady used to say, “Something suddenly came up.” What it was, I’m not quite sure.
I was looking through the little yellow books I kept when my children were small. I used to write cute things they said and record their accomplishments.
One day, my husband said to my little girl, “You’re growing up so fast! Some day you’ll be all grown up and gone.” She replied, “I’ll never leave you Daddy. I’ll always be here where Daddy is…But if I leave, I’ll visit every day…If I get the chance.”
How fast the years go by. And tomorrow is another day…
A walk through the snowy woods…
It was cold and beautiful in the woods today...
Found something unexpected...
Max and Molly love an adventure
Stop sign ahead...
