Yogi Yaps

I kept up the ritual of doing my mantra meditation this morning. In a way, I doubled down by putting on a video meditation for my students but I only listened and I kept working. There are never enough hours in the day. And especially on Fridays, I don't want to work late.    I am humming or thinking Aham Prema to myself when I'm doing ordinary tasks. I found another chanting version of Aham Prema that also has flute music and sounds beautiful.   I feel like there are other people or energies out there that I struggle to manage because I feel that toxic energy of theirs, pulling at me in it's black, swirling mass like sticky, hot tar mixed with vapor, so that if clings to the air and my soul bristles at it.    I want to protect my energy. Sometimes I wish for an invisible shield. Sometimes I think about the psalm about the Lord as shepherd, my shepherd: thy rod and thy staff guiding and guarding me. Leading me to green pastures.    Does it always ...

 It's evening now but I did my mantra in the morning. It takes a few minutes and it's been easy to weave it into my schedule, though I kinda miss doing the other kind of meditations that are guided, like with The Mindful Movement channel on YouTube. That has also helped me a lot with preserving my peace of mind.  I don't anticipate many views on this writing besides my own. I just got this idea and it felt like divine inspiration. To write every day along with practing this mantra. I hope it will be rewarding to have done these things for 40 days. Even if it's just honoring *one* commitment to myself, I'll be proud of myself. I may have given up too easily on things in the past, but over the last few years, I know I've grown in my perseverance. My *not giving up* and following through on self care intentions. 

 I did the mantra the same way this morning, along with the youtube video of Dev Primal singing "Aham Prema." What I noticed as I chanted: the look and feel of the beads as I passed one bead after another through my fingers. I noticed their resemblance to green peas.  There is no room for worry when your mind and voice are chanting a mantra, and your haands busy with telling the beads.  I feel awkward with the japa mala beads, though I learned from Eat Pray Love that the Holy War crusaders introduced this tradition AS rosary beads. So, essentially, the mala beads were rebranded as rosary and became--at some point--a Catholic thing. Since I grew up in the Catholic faith (not intensely but mild-to-medium Catholic), rosary beads aren't unusual to me. There is nothing "woo woo" or new agey about rosary beads. Nothing that might provoke laughter or ridicule.  Chanting along with the song and the flute music, I feel self-conscious. Even by alone in my home, though my...

2/24/25  I completed the Aham Prema practice on my own today, to ensure that it was done before my busy day started. I've been doing a five to ten minute guided meditation culled from YouTube each morning before work, so it was easy to swap in the mantra video instead. I may do that tomorrow, too.  I listened along with Dev Premal's YouTube video. I noticed today as well that I was chanting "Aham Prema" while taking a shower and getting ready for the day. It was school vacation last week and this morning, back to the typical daily hustle, so leaning on the mantra this morning and focusing my thoughts only on that for about five minutes was helpful.  I held the mala beads in my hands and turned each one to keep count. It's something small but another thing to focus on while chanting. I noticed that one or two of the beads was slightly misshapen or dented. I noticed closely each time I completed a set of green beads and came to the white and red.  My day was busy, a...

 Sunday, 2/23/25 Today, I recited the Aham Prema mantra at home, along with a Zoom recording of the mantra recitation from yoga teacher Barbara. I closed my eyes for some of it, and I sat near a sliding door that faces our backyard. I often sit there when I meditate, as I can look out at the trees, the sky, and the snow covering the grass during this winter season. I sit on the floor, to feel rooted and grounded.  The funny thing is that the yoga teachers confided that you'll find yourself humming or reciting the "Aham Prema" meditation in your head during times outside of meditation and that is already happening with me. I began reciting in the shower, and as I was washing dishes. The Dev Premal youtube video is one that I enjoy listening to, and it's the one I heard in the studio yesterday. The rhytmn of the mantra is fluid and easy. The words sound soothing, while even if you're not reflecting on the meaning, you know it means "Divine Love."  I may no...

 This morning at JOY Wellness of Salem, NH, I started on a mantra journey with a few dozen other women. I don't know what the other yogis are seeking in practing the Aham Prema (I am Divine Love) mantra 108 times daily for 40 days. Yet, when I saw an email from the studio/business owner, Jennifer, I felt compelled to take part in this experience. It is reasonably priced at $22.00, available in person AND on zoom, which is flexible and that’s what I need. I know I’m not the only busy, full time working mom, seeking balance and self love. Flexible practices like this one, envisioned by the yoga teachers (Kerri, Erika, Jennifer, and Barbara), help make that possible for us.   This morning, I decided that I will blog each day about this mantra experience.     One reason I’m doing the mantra 40 day challenge is that I have been aching to express my voice and to be heard. I need to use my voice to remind myself that I’m steady and steadfast. I need to remind my...