Happy Monday!
I hope you guys had a great weekend. Mine was full of yoga-fun and was absolutely amazing! As tiring as the weekend was, it’s always bittersweet once they are over. Our little “class” has really grown together. We are learning and changing and going through this whole process together and have come to learn each person’s strengths and challenges, supporting each other in any way possible. It’s like one big happy yoga family.
Ok, enough cheese for this morning.
I do, however want to share this quote that I came across Saturday at the perfect time. I kind of set an intention for myself when the weekend started. Just one word: surrender.
"Through surrender the aspirant’s ego is effaced, and grace pours down upon him like a torrential rain."
-B.K.S. Iyengar
After weeks of not sleeping, I finally felt my body relax and let go on Friday as soon as I was in those safe walls of the studio and with the little group that I’m slowly growing with. My muscles were warm and soft, my hands stopped shaking, and my breathing slowed. Relief. I slept for 9 hours after our first session, which included a very peaceful yin practice. I really focused on letting go of my muscles during the yin session; my shoulders, legs, belly, just on this superficial level, and realized that I needed to surrender to something on a much deeper level.
What? you might be asking…well, myself. I’m slowly learning that I must surrender to who I really am; my wants, my desires, my talents, and even my challenges. It’s okay to acknowledge that something challenges me, rather than fear it and ignore it. And you know what else is okay? (This goes for you too…) It’s okay to acknowledge that you are good at something! I often catch myself putting down something that I have accomplished or done successfully, saying it wasn’t a big deal or special. But it’s okay to acknowledge that I did something well, something that is just my own. So that’s my mantra, my focus, for a little while. Just surrender. Just be me.
So what’s a tired yogini to do after a long physically and mentally demanding weekend? Why, have a coconut of course…
Yep, fresh coconut water sipped straight from the source. Through a pink straw, of course. No better way to rejuvenate.
Hope your weekend was great too!
What will you surrender to today?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
That coconut does look lovely!
Deep stuff there. well put.
& coconut water P: noicechoice
Beautiful words, Courtney. Today I will surrender to…. chocolate, my new daily treat ;-)
Happy Monday!!
Lovely post. I’ve been thinking similar things about surrendering/letting go in certain areas of my life.
love the quote!!! I need to surrender all my stress and anxiety! Happy Monday Beautiful :)
What a beautiful message! Too often, I diminish accomplishments and I have no right to do that to myself. When I do something good, I should be proud of myself and use the accomplishment as motivation to do more good in the world :)
Today, I wll surrender to myself, my strengths AND weaknesses.
Today I will surrender to…yoga! Its been far too long since I’ve done it and I’m feeling up to it today =)
Your weekend sounds like a wonderful growth experience! That is such a great place to be when you know you are growing a a person! All the complex pieces of the human such start to go in place….awesome! :-D
That coconut looks delicious as well…
I’m so glad you had a good weekend and got some great rest!
There’s a lot of stuff coming up in the next few weeks that are causing me some anxiety, excitement, sadness….a lot of things. I’m just trying to acknowledge my feelings, let them happen, and then let them go. it’s going to be a hard week the next 2 weeks, emotionally and physically draining, but totally worth it.
i think your mantra is something that everyone can benefit from living by — far too often i get so consumed with second guessing my thoughts and actions .. i need to learn to let go, to just live..to “be me” .. such wise words, Court!
Mmm I love coconuts.. I Can’t wait to try my own today!
-muffy
what a thought-provoking piece. thank you!
i feel almost forced to surrender at certain moments in yoga classes when we are holding a posture that is extremely challenging/ opening for me. that’s when i feel as if there is nothing i can withhold from myself or anyone else.
I love the quote and your attitude as well. Thank you for sharing it!!! :-))
Do you buy the coconut like that or do you just buy a plain coconut and doctor it up so you can drink from it? Looks delicious!
Today I will surrender to “me time.” I feel so guilty sitting down to read a book or give myself a pedicure because I always think there are other things that need my attention. Not today!
So glad you enjoyed another yoga-filled weekend. LOVE the coconut drink… so tropical!!! :)
What a beautiful quote! Thanks for sharing!
Hi there..
What a fabulous post! I know I often do not give myself enough credit for my accomplishments. I think it’s so easy to dismiss yourself because you see people that are so much better at things than you might be…but I have to remember that there are just as many people out there wishing they could accomplish what I have!!!
Thanks for sharing~
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful quote. Today, I’ll surrender myself to uncertainty – just go with the flow and not overplan my day.
Coconut looks so fresh and your chairs are adorable.
hey,
i loved that shrimp dish you were inspire by through cooking light you posted about a short time ago, and I did a rendition myself! I linked back to you in my reference, total sketch ball over here I know :-) sorry!! But feel free to check out my blog
loveprevails.wordpress.com
Katie,
Thai coconuts have water in them naturally…it’s the best way to rehydrate! you buy them whole and have to whack them open to get to the good stuff!
I’m wondering how you opened your coconut so well?? It looks like you drilled a perfect hole in the top haha, you must be an expert at this!
I had an awesome conversation with our produce guru about coconut. In fact, I just blogged about it! Check it out if you get the chance.
MarathonVal,
Check out this post: http://www.hungryyogini.com/2009/06/24/natures-gatorade/ for some instruction. It’s actually farely simple…as long as you aren’t scared to whack the crap out of it with a very large knife =)
Ahh, I am drooling over your coconut, m’dear. :-P