During Chair Yoga we began a conversation about Ahimsa.
Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras some 200 years after Jesus.  These Sutras are guidelines to living and words of wisdom.  It reads much like the book of Proverbs of the Bible.  The Sutras contain the Yamas which are a list of ways of being that help us live well with others. The first Yama is Ahimsa.  Ahimsa literally means "non-harming" or "non-violence".  Ahimsa is about living with  compassion in all that we do.  It covers our physical actions, our conversation and our thoughts ." To practice ahimsa is to be constantly vigilant, to observe ourselves in interaction with others and to notice our thoughts and intentions." (from Beginning the Journey an article by Judith Lasater about yoga sutras.)
During, I challenged everyone to compare Ahimsa with the Y's core values:  caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and their faith values.  What are the similarities? 
The other questions to ask is....where does ahimsa touch our lives?
We will continue this conversation!!!
Click on the button below to read the article by Judith Lasater.  The beginning is a nice introduction to the Sutras.  The articles continues with a few good paragraphs on Ahimsa.

March 30th, Kathy S. (member of Wednesday Chair Yoga) and I will be attending "Peace of Mind Day Retreat" at the Serlingpa Meditation Center in New Bedford.  It is a retreat led by a Buddhist Monk and teaches participants about relaxation and meditation while also refreshing.  I have never taken a retreat like this but am looking forward to a day of relaxation and learning.  That day also happens to be Holy Saturday.  Seems like a good day to meditate and prepare for Easter. I will share our experiences with you.
www.MeditationInMass.org for info on the Retreat

Yesterday after our Chair Yoga class, Deb approached me to say she would be attending class intermittently.  Deb explained her Dad had been diagnosed with cancer again....I think 4th time.  He had made the decision to not follow treatment but to stay comfortable until the end.  Deb and her sister are taking turns to make sure Dad has what he needs.  This will be a special time for Deb, her sister and Dad as they share and celebrate the time they have had together.  They will have some very special moments in the weeks and maybe months to come. It will not be easy to watch Dad go through the changes.  Please keep Deb and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday in Chair Yoga we had fun practicing some finger exercises.  Clicking on the green button bellow
will pull up a PDF version of the Finger Exercises hand out.  Feel free to share the exercises with family and friends. These exercises can be done most anywhere and any time.  Today Paul and I were out doing errands.  As we drove down the highway, I was bored and frustrated. I did our finger exercises and the I felt myself relax.  (My fingers felt good too!) 
Where have you been practicing your finger exercises?

When I sent a text to Paul (my husband) last night that I was "headed home", Paul sent back, "dinner is ready."  My mind started wondering what dinner was going to be if it was already done!  Paul had bought some Chinese food on his way home.  It was good.  My fortune cookie paper said, "The road to knowledge begins with the turn of the page." That statement seems so true.  Much of what we learn is through reading.  As a kid, I loved curling up with a good Nancy Drew book.  As an adult, I love reading historical novels, autobiographies and books about subjects that mean something to me.  Holding a book and turning the pages feels special to me.  I have to admit there have been books I was asked to read during my graduate work that, well...did not do anything for me!  Unfortunately, with busy-ness I have put reading to the very bottom of my list....maybe even on the next page.  I have so-o-o-o missed reading. A co-working has been sharing his Yoga Journal magazines with me.  I have made extra effort to read these magazines which in turn has stimulated me to do further research and reading.  Reading gives us a chance to expand our knowledge and ourselves.  I try to imagine what life would be like without being able to read....How would I read a newspaper? How would I be able to go online? Lots of learning would be lost if I could not read. Yes, we also learn through our experience, observation and practical work, but that is balanced by our reading. 
What does reading mean to you?
Have you experienced helping another learn to read?
Please share.