You know what I really love? VACATION!!!You know what I love on top of that? After having an amazing vacation, coming home to a clean house! There is something very gratifying about walking into a clean home, after a long day of traveling. The last thing I want to see is a mess. My husband and I have a 19 day vacation coming up next week. Therefore, I have dedicated this weekend to spring cleaning.While I would love to hire a cleaning service (maybe one day), I do take pride in keeping a clean, organized home. There is something therapeutic in deep cleaning your home. Well, at least to me. Perhaps, many would not agree with me.But I believe that a clean and clutter free home, leads to a peaceful, calm and clutter-free mind! Which on that note, I’m taking this opportunity to connect my spring cleaning to a yoga principal for you. See, you can practice yoga every day in some way!If you have been practicing yoga for a while you may be familiar with Pantajali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga, with the first two limbs being yamas and niyamas each containing 5 tenants of moral codes and restraints. The first tenant of the niyamas (the restraints: on how we treat ourselves and how to turn inwardly) is saucha, purity/cleanliness. While ancient yogis had, what I would call, some crazy ways to actually inwardly clean themselves, some that may actually churn your stomach; they also focused on purity of thoughts, tongue, diet and actions.Today, I’m applying saucha more lightly and on more of a superficial level. Purifying comes from an inwardly, disciplined practice while cleanliness is more external, both of which are connected. Applying saucha to our environment is just as important as purifying our mind, spirit and bodies. Our mind is a mirror of our environment. If our home is messy and we are surrounded by possessions we have hoarded over the years, our mind also is cluttered and distracted and may feel like you can’t find space to breathe, and you may actually feel scattered brained.I truly feel that having a clean, clutter free home is a sign of respect toward yourself, your loved ones and your yoga practice. A clean, organized home induces a relaxed mind and I believe even can ward off depression. Happy Cleaning! I know this post, may contradict a previous post of mine, but also part of practicing yoga is being in the moment and accepting what is and being purely present is each moment. Sometimes, our lives are busy and can get a little chaotic… and that is ok too. But sometimes, we set aside time to take a breath and organize ourselves. It’s truly about balance and being kind to yourself. Ahhhh, a yama, ahimsa. Ahimsa is practicing nonviolence. Not only being kind and not harming mother earth and other beings, but also not harming ourselves; our moments and our own thought processes. But I guess that can be another post.I know this post, may contradict a previous post of mine, but also part of practicing yoga is being in the moment and accepting what is and being purely present is each moment. Sometimes, our lives are busy and can get a little chaotic… and that is ok too. But sometimes, we set aside time to take a breath and organize ourselves. It’s truly about balance and being kind to yourself. Ahh, another yama, ahimsa. Ahimsa is practicing non violence. Not only being kind and not harming mother earth and other beings, but also not harming ourselves; our moments and our own thought processes. But I guess that can be another post.On another note, you know what I absolutely do not like doing? It kind of stresses me out. Packing! Fortunately my husband excels at that. It’s actually a win, win. For instance when we go up to camp, he’ll take the time before our weekend, to pack up everything up so nicely and he never forgets anything. Me? I’ll forget miscellaneous items, like, d’oh, my tooth brush. Like I said, packing stresses me out. After our time at camp, we’ll come home and he will unwind and catch up on emails and news while I unpack everything, clean and do the laundry. This seems to works for us!However, after my cleaning is done, I’m going to be kind to myself this weekend, and take my time and methodically pack my own suitcase. Then my husband will go through our checklist with me to make sure I have everything. I’ll have to let you know how I do.Zenfully Yours,
Jyll