Peaceful Holiday 2011

Another holiday season is upon us. As usual the holidays can stir up quite a lot of stress. When we combine this with the general unease that seems to pervade the world at the moment, it breeds difficulty and uncertainty into our daily life. And while many are caught up in the distractions that appear to be growing louder and more insistent, a lot of people are truly ready for some sort of shift in awareness that will change the dynamics of this situation.

In truth there is no other place to look than within ourselves. We are only going to find the way forward by turning inwards and getting our own house in order.

This holiday season let’s all try to be a little more forgiving and humble in our thoughts and actions. We always have a choice as to how we react in any given situation. Everyone has felt the energy change when an angry person walks into a room. Everyone gets a little on edge. Remember…this dynamic works both ways. If we can find a calm center within ourselves then we give others a reference point to find calmness within themselves. The holidays really need to be about cultivating peace and harmony in the world. Finding faults in others or laying blame for things elsewhere simply creates friction and unease.

2012 is around the corner. It is the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Change is here whether we are ready or not. It is time to stand in your place of wisdom and be present.

I wish you happiness, health and peace for this holiday season. 

Maintaining Energy

In the middle of the winter it is often the case that our energy reserves can get quite depleted. The ending of the holiday season can sometimes leave a vague feeling of emptiness, while 2010 brings with it some uncertainty in regard to what sort of changes we might be facing as we move forward.

Keeping our energy levels up is always a good idea, and now it is even more important. The simplest way to do this is to become more aware of our breathing habits. Just taking a deeper breath whenever we can remember brings more oxygen into the body. This oxygen becomes energy as is enters the blood stream. Deeper breathing gathers energy reserves in the body and helps us deal with difficulties when they arise.

Returning to the breath whenever we are dealing with the challenges of life allows us to center ourselves and focus our attention within.

Happy, Healthy & Peaceful Holiday

Well, another holiday season is upon us...yet this one seems different somehow. Obviously there are a lot of things happening in this world that are having significant impact on many people.

Usually we want to think of the holidays as a time of joy and happiness, however, more often than not the holidays can stir up quite a lot of stress. Combine this with a general uncertainty about the future and we can find ourselves a little overwhelmed.

Fortunately, just as it feels as if things are unravelling, there is also something quite amazing taking place. We are beginning to sense a shift in consciousness. No longer are the old patterns working for us and many people are starting to look for answers deeper within.

Obviously this is a long process, but there can be no doubt that things are accelerating.

It would serve all of us this holiday season to try to be a little more forgiving and humble in our thoughts and actions. We always have a choice as to how we react in any given situation. Everyone has felt the energy change when an angry person walks into a room. Everyone gets a little on edge. Remember…this dynamic works both ways. If we can find a calm center within ourselves, then we give others a reference point to find calmness within their own selves. The holidays really need to be about cultivating peace and harmony in the world. Finding faults in others or laying blame for things elsewhere simply creates friction and unease.

Like dropping a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples spread out, we determine the ripples we send to the people around us. Let it then be positive and loving.

I wish you happiness, health and peace for this holiday season

…and as always…

Remember to Breathe!

Aaron Hoopes

http://www.artofzenyoga.com/

The next Zen Yoga Online Course will begin January 15th.

Zen Yoga Vermont Retreat

Breathe - Move - Relax

Meditate by a waterfall in the peaceful mountains of Vermont

May 30th - June 1st, 2008

PROGRAM:

Deep Journey - Shanti Yoga: Tuning into the rhythms of the body and stretching deeper and more fully. Opening the hips, shoulders and back.

Moving Meditation - Tai Chi: Introduction to the basics of Tai Chi movement. Flowing energy movement and mindful awareness.

Dynamic Energy - Zen Crane Qigong: Introduction to the basic Zen Crane breathing & moving forms. Raising energy levels in the body and circulation.

Touching Nature- Meditation: Exploration of various methods of meditation in a variety of special settings

Shamanic Drumming Circle & Traditional Releasing Ceremony: (with Michael Denmeade Shaman of Lakota & Yama Bushi Traditions)

Prepare to feel wonderful!

more information: www.artofzenyoga.com/retreat.htm

Photo Gallery - Australia & Japan

I've finally had a chance to put up some photos of my travels to Australia and Japan. You can see them here:

www.artofzenyoga.com/gallery1.htm

I'd love to hear your comments on these, please leave your comments here....

many thanks,
Aaron

Walkabout in Australia

After a 24-hour trip, I made it to the land Down Under. It is summer here and about 84 degrees and sunny. I spent the first 4 days climbing in the outback mountains of the Great Dividing Range with my long-time friend and Zen Yoga instructor Paul Carney. I was lucky to swim in a couple of absolutely stunning rock pools beneath magnificient waterfalls. On one day we hiked and climbed for 7 hours and never saw another person. We did see hundreds of kangaroos however. Of course, I took lots of photos, but they will have to wait until my return to post them.

Most of the time was spent breathing in the amazing energy of the land and taking time to find that calm center within. It is really amazing what you can discover when you can disconnect from all of the distracting buzz of modern society. We really don't give ourselves enough time to do this.

Internet access is spotty, but I'll try to post again soon.

more soon,
Aaron

Australia & Japan

I'm leaving for Australia on Wednesday Feb 6th. It is about a 19 hour trip and I will be arriving in Brisbane on Feb 8th (australia time). Then I'm off on a 5-day walkabout in the tropical rainforest with an old friend. No phone, no computer......!

February 22-25th I'll be in Japan and will be holding a Zen Yoga workshop at Sun & Moon Yoga in Tokyo on Saturday Feb 23 8:00-10:00am. http://www.sunandmoon.jp/current-workshops

I will also be giving a talk and book signing at
Good Day Books http://www.gooddaybooks.com/contents/Booknotes?language=english
in Tokyo on Sunday Feb 24 6:00-8:00pm.

In addition I'm going to be interviewed by Reuters at the Tokyo Press Club while I'm there.

I haven't been back in either Australia or Japan for about 4 years and I'm quite excited about it.
Lot's of friends to catch up with.

I'll try and post some of my adventures here when I get a chance.

In peace....
Aaron

http://www.artofzenyoga.com/

5 Tips to De-stress for the Holidays

At the risk of sounding a little simplistic I wanted to put together these five tips to de-stress for the holidays. The holiday season can always be a little stressful. However, this year there seems to be even more uncertainty in the general outlook for the future of our world.

Sometimes it is good to have some basic reminders that can help to keep us grounded. They give us the opportunity to stay present in the moment and enjoy the good feelings the holidays bring. Then we can bring those good feeling with us when we meet others and spread the positive energy.

Tip One:
Remember to Breathe~!

Deep breathing is the simplest thing we can do to help ourselves feel better immediately. It brings more oxygen into the body, energizes the blood stream, helps the muscles grow stronger, and clears the mind. When things get stressful...breathe!

Tip Two:
Shrug your Shoulders

The holidays can bring lots of physical tension to your body. Shrugging the shoulders loosens the tightness that builds up in the upper body. The muscles of the shoulder need to be stimulated to help the circulation bring fresh energy through the area. Besides, it just feels good.

Tip Three:
Circle your Hips

The hips are the center of our being. Keeping things loose and moving in that area allows blood and energy to flow smoothly up to the head and down to the feet. Circling the hips breaks down calcium deposits on the bones and eases tension in the lower back. And while circling your hips may make you feel silly...it will definitely make you feel good.

Tip Four:
Shake your Arms and Legs

Tension from stress gets trapped all over the body. Shaking loosens things up. Shaking the legs out and then shake the hands. Feel as if you are covered in water and you want to shake the drops off. Really allow things to be loose and relaxed. Shaking stimulates the circulatory system and assists with energy movement through the body.

Tip Five:
Find a little Peace and Quiet

The holidays are going to be hectic, noisy and stressful. We all know this. If you can give yourself a few moments each day to sit in silence and breathe, you will ground yourself and be able to keep your center when things get crazy. Be smart, give yourself a little time to relax and your holidays will be wonderful!

Have a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Aaron Hoopes

Breathe - Move - Relax

www.artofzenyoga.com