Author Archives: Wellness Kriya

Top 20 Letting Go Quotes

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I came across a great list of quotes to live by.  I know that I will think of these as I move forward in my journey.  My hope is that they will provide you freedom and peace!

Top 20 Letting Go Quotes, as per Edward K Hoo

1. “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

2. “We can never turn back the pages of time, though we may wish to relive a happy moment, or say goodbye just one last time, we never can, because the sands of time continue to fall, and we can’t turn the hourglass over.” – Unknown

3. “Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” — Herman Hesse

4. “One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.” – Michael Cibenko

5. All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

6. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer

7. “Change is never easy, you fight to hold on, and you fight to let go.” – The Wonder Years

8. “There’s no need to miss someone from your past- There’s a reason they didn’t make it to your future” – Unknown

9. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – Headstone

10. “Every exit is an entry somewhere.” –Tom Stoppard

11. “True love doesn’t have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you.” – Unknown

12. “There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.” – Unknown

13. “Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.” – Ann Landers

14. “We need in love to practice only this: letting each other go. For holding on comes easily–we do not need to learn it.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

15. “Every breath is an opportunity to receive and let go. I receive love and I let go of pain.” – Brenda MacIntyre

16. “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

17. “Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to.” – Anonymous

18. “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

19. “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell

20. “The Tao Te Ching says, When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need. Have you ever struggled to find work or love, only to find them after you have given up? This is the paradox of letting go. Let go, in order to achieve. Letting go is God’s law.” – Mary Manin Morrissey

Sweet Surrender

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Sometimes, a “sweet surrender is all I have to give”, as per Sarah McLachlan’s hit song.  It is oftentimes, the best gift to offer the universe.  For some reason, we all have this sense that if we hold on to an idea, a person, an emotion,  we will continue to move forward.  I’ve found that actually the reverse is true.  We have to ask ourselves, “what are we really holding onto anyway?”  Often, it is something that has occurred in the past that doesn’t serve us in the present. It is an anchor that holds us back.  I think it is one of the most difficult kriyas that we must implement in our lives in order to fuel our happiness and peace.

I struggle with this concept a lot myself.  It’s a need for control and avoidance of pain.  It’s so much easier to just hold on tightly to something, pretend that the circumstances have not changed, and continue to live in the past.  But the result is that you suck the life out of what you grip onto so tightly, and in that process, end up holding onto something that is long gone.  You say to yourself that you miss the potential of what was and what could have been in your life.  But truthfully, the “potential” of something is different than the “reality” of it.  In order to open yourself to the beauty that awaits you in your life, you must let go of the concepts and people that do not serve you.  There is a gift in remaining present in the moment.  There is a freedom there to go in any direction.  And only then, can all the good in life  come to you and through you.  Dr. Lawrence Wilson of the Center of Development states, “Your future will find you, if you let go of your past”.

Deepali’s piece of wellness: We may have control over our sails, but no control over the direction the wind blows.  Let go and see where it takes you.

Crossing the Finish Line

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finish lineThere is an indescribable feeling you have when you set your mind to something and then achieve it.  Yesterday, I felt the ultimate rush as I crossed the finish line of my 1/2 marathon.  It was pure exhiliration followed by full exhalation…..a feeling of accomplishment, gratefulness, and love, coupled with the aftermath of delicious fatigue of the mind and body.  It is a journey of giving yourself fully and wholeheartedely and then being able to relish in the view from the other side. 

I did a lot of thinking during my 13.1 miles.  As I reflected upon the many challanges I have faced in my life (as we all have), I thought about running as being a metaphor for life.  There are times you feel great and at ease, while other times you are challenged to your full extent.  There are moments of confidence followed by fear and self-doubt.  And then there are those crucial minutes when all you can do is place one foot after the next  in hopes of moving foward one step at a time, one breath at a time. 

 I realized that so many of our wellness concepts were interwoven into this run.  I was, without a doubt, exercising my mind & body throughout.  I had to be present and mindful to allow myself to have the mental and physical stamina.  I had taken the risk and challenged myself to go the distance – in more ways than one.  I felt gratitude for my health – the muscles, bones, and organs that allowed me to perform this task.  Finally, in the end, it was truly about letting go and knowing that each step was guiding  me toward my destination.      

So……how do we do this latter part?  Let’s discuss some strategies this week on letting go and going with the flow.  After all, there are countless finish lines to cross in our lives.  And each can be just as exhilirating has finishing a 1/2 marathon, if you can allow yourself to let go.  Stay tuned!

Taking the Risk in Life

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Some wise words to think about, as we complete our week on learning about the joy of risk. 

 

To Risk…….


To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental,
To reach out for another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self,
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure,
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing,
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love….live.

Chained by his certitude’s, he is a slave;
He has forfeited freedom,
Only a person who risks is free.

The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails.

-unknown

Stretching our Wings (#3)

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Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do something every day that scares you”.  I don’t think she was necessarily thinking sky diving or hang gliding.  The point is we all have the capability to take daily risks by the decisions we make.  If the word “risk” sounds too “risky”, think about the word “challenge” instead.  It has a softer tone to it!  We all need challenges in our lives, not only to build mental and physical strength but also to build our resilience.  How else would we be able to handle the twists and turns that life throws at us? 

I came across a couple of excellent articles written by Francis Lefkowitz, a contributor for Whole Living Magazine.  In her articles, she discusses her three basic risk-taking tips: 1. Form a Net, 2. Follow Your Desire, not Your Fear, and 3. Enjoy the Ride.  Furthermore, she explains the importance of taking risks in your life.   Her stories helped me to recognize that risk-taking (or challenging yourself!) really comes down to breaking the usual, mundane routine of your life.  How are you coming along with challenging your routine this week?  Keep me posted!

Stretching our Wings (#2)

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One of my favorite websites that I subscribe to is the the Daily Om.  Each day, I love receiving my daily devotion…..some words of wisdom that really make me think.  There is also a daily horoscope that is pretty much just another devotion, but it feels specifically related to you by your unique zodiac sign (mine is the watery sign of Cancer!).  I received a horoscope the other day titled,  “The Joy of Risk”.   And, although it arrived through my zodiac sign, I think it is everybody’s sign to follow!  Enjoy!

Stretching our wings

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When was the last time you really stretched your wings?  In other words, when did you push yourself a little bit beyond your comfort zone?  Taking a risk and challenging ourselves in our life journey is a big contributor to our wellness quotient.  It helps us to evolve and grow.  In my experience, it is the dichotomy between fear and exhiliration.  I remember making the decision to leave my hometown and  move to New York City for a while.  I was incredibly nervous  about the move , but, at the same time, the thought of moving excited me! (and, the experience was great!)

This week, I would like us all to stretch ourselves a little bit.  It could be as simple as driving a new route to/from work to something complex like finally making that decision to go back to school to pursue a dream.   There is a large range in between – maybe you want to take that salsa class or learn how to paint.  You might finally sign up for that 5K, 12K, or 1/2 marathon!  What is something new that you’ve been wanting to try?  Remember, you can’t fail!  Add some spice to your life this week by adding the ingredient of “risk” – a calculated one, nonetheless – to your wellness quotient.   Do ONE thing this week that stretches you.  It will send your soul flying!  ***Check back Monday for more reasons to stretch your wings****

Deepali’s piece of wellness:  You’ll never realize your true potential unless you push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Does the Shoe Fit?

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Running has always been my choice for a good cardio workout.  I feel like I get my entire body moving, not to mention the delicious endorphins that put me in a state of euphoria, known as “the runner’s high”.  I felt great  today after completing my 10-mile  run.  

Running is a great form of exercise for physical and mental wellness.  Physically, it is an excellent way to lose weight, build muscle mass and strong bones, when coupled with a healthy diet.  It works almost every muscle in your body below your face (unless, of course, you are cringing the whole time!)  and gives you maximum return on calories expended (roughly 500/per hour depending on your weight).   Running helps to lower blood pressure and improve the elasticity of your blood vessels, including those in your heart. Psychologically, it allows stress reduction, increased happiness, relaxation, and better sleep.  It helps you build willpower, perseverence, and consistency in your goal setting – qualities that you can definitely carryover to the rest of your life.  You can read more about all the benefits in Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running, by Danny and Katherine Dreyer.  

Running is also a relatively inexpensive means of exercising.  After all, the only thing you need is the beautiful nature outside your door and a pair of sneakers……or do you?  The latest hype in the runner’s world is barefoot running, a concept I’m a bit skeptical about.  The latest research, conducted by Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, took a population of runners from the US and Kenya and identified different running patterns.  Lieberman and his colleagues found that those people who ran with shoes landed on their heel first, putting a greater load through their bodies, thereby increasing risk of injury.  Those that ran barefoot, landed on their mid-forefoot first, allowing for better agility and shock absorbance.  I’ve had many people ask me my thoughts on this, and I think more research is needed – especially, to include people like myself, who have no foot arch and, thus, severly pronate (inward-rolling ankles).  I don’t think I could run without my orthotics supporting my arch and placing my lower body in adequate biomechanical alignment.  For me, I am still able to land on my midfoot by tilting my body slightly forward when I run.  I do, however, have friends who have bought the new “barefoot running shoe” and claim it is great.  They report a lighter feel to each step, as though they are gliding over the pavement.  Bottom line – see if you can borrow a pair of these “barefoot” covers and try them on a treadmill before making the big purchase!  Also, you would want to know how much cushion each specific one has, especially if you’re a trail runner. 

Shoes or no shoes, I still think running is a wonderful way to build stamina – physically and mentally, on and off the course.  I’ll be participating in the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon in Orlando in two weeks.  See you there – I’ll be the one with sneakers on!

Deepali’s piece of wellness: whether you run, jog, or walk,  fill your wellness quotient by doing  at least 30 min of aerobic activity/day.  You will reap more benefits than just having a fit body!

Change IS the only constant

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I’ve gotten back into watching Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday nights.  This has been a decent season.  There was one episode several weeks ago that I luckily had DVR’d.  I caught myself rewinding the last 2 minutes over and over again to hear Dr. Meredith Grey’s voiceover talk about  the concept of change.  I’ve included it below:

“When we say things like, ‘people don’t change’, it drives scientists crazy.  Because change is literally the only constant in all of science.  Energy, matter – it’s always changing……morphing……merging…….growing……dying.  It’s the way people try NOT to change that is unnatural – the way we cling to what things were instead of letting them be what they are; the way we cling to old memories instead of forming new ones; the way we insist on believing, despite every scientific indication, that anything in this lifetime is permanent.  Change IS constant.  How we experience change……..that’s up to us.  It can feel like death, or it can feel like a second chance at life.  If we open our fingers, loosen our grips, go with it, it can feel like pure adrenaline.  Like at any moment, we can have another chance at life…….like at any moment, we can be born all over again”.

I thought this was beautiful, and very true.  Why is it that we resist what IS?  I am guilty of this like 99% of the population.  But I do strive to go with the flow……to avoid fighting with myself and paddling upstream.  It’s so much easier to let go……but letting go, often DOES mean to let something in you die, in order to give birth to something else.  And, like Dr. Grey stated so eloquently, we can either keep focused on the death or feel the adrenaline from experiencing a new life.

My first post…….

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Welcome to my blog!  I’m very excited to begin.  When I thought about the title I would use, I thought about what the word “wellness” meant to me.  It’s certainly the buzzword all over town these days.  Being of East Indian descent, I wanted to use a word from the ancient language of Sanskrit to describe how wellness pertains to all of us.  The word “kriya” fit.  Kriya literally means ‘the action of the soul’.  We are all on this journey to live our fullest potential – from the aspects of mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. The soul is always evolving……it is, therefore, always in motion.  In yogic terms, this starts with our breath.  The wellness kriya, to me, is the process by which we all strive to become more of who we truly are…….that perfect, authentic self that  lies deep within us.  We accomplish this by engaging and incorporating 7 actions  – the ingredients that I feel make up, what I call, our wellness quotient.  Those seven kriyas are:  Exercise the Mind & Body, Take a Risk, Feel Gratitude, Be Present, Believe in Spirit, Embrace Change, and Let Go.  Living our lives with these actions in mind will increase our wellness quotient and allow us to follow our truth.  Each week we will look closely at one of these categories.   My purpose is to empower others to believe in themselves and to provide teaching tools for unleashing their true potentials.  Let’s start peeling down the layers and get to the core!