Resilience & Grace

We made it to the end of season 2.  In this episode, #40 "Let Go & Get Grounded" Mary shares inspiring ideas and ways you can bring harmony into the body and mind by slowing down, giving room for reflection, and creating a state of ease with our relationship to change.  Autumn is the perfect season to "let go". 

Explore the power of a gratitude practice shifting your awareness to aspects of your life you are grateful for.  A gratitude practice connects us to our innate joy.  You will experience a heart-opening practice that is independent of any challenging conditions you may be experiencing right now.  Step into the practice of gratitude.  

"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self" The Bhagavad Gita. 

Often the question is asked, what is the purpose of practicing yoga?  Is it to become more present, more patient, more flexible, more creative, more self-confident, more loving, more mindful - or to be?  This is the paradox of practicing yoga.  Do I have somewhere to go or is there nowhere to go?  The answer...Yes.  Both.  

Mantra is a meditation technique that helps you to take your mind to quieter, calmer levels of thinking. Mantras are often referred to as vehicles for the mind because with focus on the repetition of a mantra, other thoughts swimming in the mind dissipate and the mind shifts toward mental clarity and stillness.

The So Hum mantra has a special meaning in Vedic philosophy and is often the mantra given to those new to the practices of yoga and meditation.

So Hum is a phrase comprised of two Sanskrit words. The literal translations are:

• So: “That” 
• Hum: “I” 

Therefore, the translation of So Hum is “I Am That.” 

According to many Vedic scholars, “That” refers to the Universe, and therefore, the So Hum mantra symbolizes that we are all connected to the universal energy which continually nourishes and supports us. It is of the same concept of “oneness”, of being one with the Universe, and all that is in it.

So when we chant the So Hum mantra in our mind while meditating, we are saying, “I am ONE with the universe.”

Mary shares with you the benefits of practicing this mantra with the Dhyana Mudra. 

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Svadhyaya means, litterally, "to recollect (to remember, to contemplate, to meditation on) the Self." It is the effort to know the Self that shines from the innermost core of your being.  This Niyama asks you to pay attention to what you are doing, how you are doing it, and why you are doing it.  Svadhyaya challenges us to be honest with ourselves.  

Mary teaches yin yoga the first Monday of every month.  You can join her online from 5:30 - 6:30 pm CST and email [email protected] for the Zoom link.  Yin is a wonderful way to drop in and explore the different sensations of the body and thoughts of the mind.  It is a practice to boost your immune system helping you rest and relax.  

You can learn more about Mary online at www.mary-mccarthy.com

In this meditation, Mary guides you and invites you to become aware of sound, breath, sensations and thought.  With a witnessing mind, you enter into a state of peace.  You as the observer and the one being observed are One.  You will rest in a state of present awareness.  

Have you found yourself full of judgment?  You may be finding yourself these days feeling soft on the outside and hard on the inside.  Decision fatigue is real and we need our practice now more than ever.  Practicing yoga on our mat including standing poses and gentle backbends can help us shift.  Lessons learned on the mat can be taken into our lives off of the mat as we move forward with a strong body and a soft heart.  

Dr. Andrew Weil has taught the 4-7-8 breath to help reduce anxiety, help a person get to sleep, manage cravings and control or reduce anger responses.  This technique can be done anytime throughout the day.  Children can practice this as well to calm the mind preparing for a good nights rest.  

In this meditation, we will bring our awareness to our heart and mind.  With conscious awareness, we will bring a balanced presence to these two areas.  You will rest in the perfect balance between the guiding forces of your mind and heart.  

In this episode, Mary shares self-care rituals that help bring her into balance. Let's hear from you!  What self-care practices help you manage stress and bring balance into your life?  Share with us on FB and Instagram @yogabymary  Don't forget to sign up for Mary's monthly newsletter at www.mary-mccarthy.com  
Stay safe and well friends.  Namaste