How Much is Too Much?

Hi. My name's Jackie and I'm addicted to social networking.

 

Yes hello, and welcome to your very own SNA (Social Networking Anonymous) Meeting. I've been reflecting lately on my usage of the internet and specifically, social networking sites. At a current tally, I have an account on Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, and of course, Blogger. Of all these, I would say I'm a prolific Facebook and Instagram user, updating daily with random statuses and photos of my cat or other such things that are keeping my attention at any time.

 

As I write this, the thought is running in the back of my mind: why? In a positive context, social networking can be used for the greater good; to spread messages of happiness and health, to promote businesses, to communicate with friends and family while away from home and more. But lately, I've realised that these sites, and to an extent, the technology I use to access them, have become part of my psyche... and not in a good way. I noted to my cousin recently that my mobile has almost become a replacement for my hand for it is permanently glued to my palm in case I should need access it immediately (for what I ask you?) Upon waking in the morning, and after feeding my new cat, the first thing I do is check emails, Facebook and Instagram before going about my daily business. It's become an unhealthy obsession rather than a thing to use occasionally to keep up to date with what's going on elsewhere. These websites can be misconstrued as a genuine way of connecting to the outside world and can create a false sense of bonding and affection with others.

 

I'm not purposefully trying to focus on the negatives but merely to point them out, as I've become increasingly aware of my desire to use these sites and the effect they're having on me... In the spirit of personal growth and awareness, it's time for an internet detox! It's a good goal for anyone to undertake - to get off the internet and get back into the world!

 

So, it's goodbye for the next seven days as I try to cleanse my mind of my addiction to these things (for that's all they are) and focus on the more positive and enhancing activities that bring me pure joy. More yoga and dancing please!

 

See you in a week folks!

 

Jx

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast

Ok, so here's what you're going to do:

Take a small bowl, add some porridge oats and cover with your choice of milk (dairy, nut, soya...) then place it in your fridge and allow to soak overnight.

In the morning, head to your kitchen, remove said bowl from the fridge and make yourself a sexy breakfast! Add your choice of berries, nuts, flaxseed, hemp or anything that really floats your boat. Maybe even add a dollop of yoghurt on top of all of that health and goodness! 

To add to the awesomeness of this breakfast, you've also boiled the kettle, sliced yourself some lemon and made yourself a cup of hot water and lemon to cleanse that body of yours. This is going to be awesome!

Not forgetting to grab a spoon, you're now going to take your breakfast to the kitchen table and get stuck in. It's gorgeous, healthy and will keep you feeling full for hours. It's so easy to do and so delicious to taste!

Enjoy yogis xx

A Very Lazy Yoga Practice

I decided to record my yoga practice in my room today. There's not much space so apologies in advance for the boob/bum shots. It's a lazy and short practice but I wanted to get my spine moving and do a couple of inversions... I'm putting this video up for you to enjoy, it's not a serious practice, I wobble and make mistakes but that's the beauty of it. Today's practice will not be the same as tomorrow's!

Music by ODESZA (on Soundcloud)

Love xx

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very happy and exciting new year!

I hope you have a wonderful evening of celebrations tonight wherever you are in the world. 

Reflecting back on 2012, I have so many things to be thankful for and I'm looking forward to 2013 and whatever it may bring! This is usually the time of year for people to think about what they wish for the new year ahead and I like to think of a word that will be my focus for the next 12 months. My word for 2013 is discipline. Take five minutes out of your day to think about what you're thankful for and perhaps what word you would like to take forward.

Wishing you all love and light ♥

Yoga Alliance

Hi y'all!

Just thought I would stop by quickly to say that I've just upgraded my membership with Yoga Alliance from TYT to RYT... #happydance

Hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and are ready for a happy and winning 2013!

<3 xx

A Little Cuteness

In an effort to cheer myself up because I am poorly, I found this:

 

Kitten in sirsasana

 

All together now... Awwwwww :)

Stress and Yoga

I walked past Liberty's on my way to work this morning and was struck by a window display announcing that actually, what we all really need this season is a de-stressing beauty gift set from Kiehl's.

 

In itself, the gift set is gorgeous; it's presented beautifully and for those who are seduced by packaging, it ticks all the boxes (ahem). It would make an excellent present for all the beauty junkies out there! Nonetheless, I can't help but think that the idea that we are all so stressed that we need bottles of creams and potions to calm ourselves is firstly, very gimmicky and secondly, quite worrying.

 

To quote my meditation teacher: "stress is not a natural state of being". Creams and potions aside, we are living in a western world where we have come to accept tiredness, stress, worry and depression as a normal way of life, where working 40+ hours a week is just 'what we do' and we're in a never-ending cycle of trying to keep up an active social life while surviving on minimal sleep. It's not sustainable...

 

My current mantra in life is "we're only human", because we that's exactly what we are... We all make mistakes but we hopefully learn from them. Now, despite promising myself that after the craziness of summer, I would try to ensure that the silly season wasn't silly, my diary is pretty full in the entire run up to Christmas. Yep, it was a pretty empty promise! However, one thing I feel I'm improving on is how to manage my time even if others are being demanding of it and taking any moment that is available to nourish myself by practicing yoga and meditating. The notion of practicing an hour or more of yoga a day isn't always feasible, so if you can grab even ten minutes to do a few sun salutations or pranayama exercises then do it! You'll feel infinitely better and you'll thank yourself for it later.

 

In the spirit of being thankful, and you know how much I love a good thankful list, try to take five minutes today to think about things that you're grateful for in this very moment and use them to see you through your yoga practice, no matter how long it is. I guarantee you'll end your practice feeling uplifted :)