01. MY THREE POSITIVES.
1. A seminar, like a reset button on a computer, reboots.
2. Calm.
3. A holiday - a day off.
02. MY THOUGHTS AND DISCOVERIES.
I listened to Zhdanov's lecture on vision, and it's amazing how different parts of the body have similar problems and solutions. Some muscles are overstrained, others are weakened, whether in posture or in the eyes.
But beyond vision, he talked about a healthy lifestyle, in terms of giving up bad habits and where they come from.
How does it happen that someone becomes hooked on alcohol and smoking, even though the first few attempts make them feel nauseous and sick? And why even try?
He says people aren't to blame; the problem lies in the community he copies; this community sets behavioral patterns.
A typical example is a holiday. By the way, Happy May 1st. What should you do on this auspicious day? Eat delicious food and drink plenty of vodka (pronounced with a breath). It's not a holiday without alcohol, so why sit there and not drink? From childhood, a child absorbs this pattern, plus the forbidden fruit—you can't have it while you're little, but when you grow up, you can indulge.
Smoking is a similar story, plus the intellectual pattern, like Sherlock Holmes, who smoked a pipe to think better, and other heroes of books and movies.
Of course, from a yogic perspective, I would add an understanding of karma here—being born into a community of alcoholics is likely a consequence of forming that community in past lives. Or perhaps it's also a consequence of making money from alcohol. Previously, you sold it for sale, now you consume it yourself and can't give it up.
Now, children absorb our behavior patterns, and then their children and grandchildren. If no one changes anything, you'll be reborn and absorb the same old pattern.
03. MY YOGA INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK.
I was carrying heavy linoleum, overexerted myself a bit, and quickly recovered; before, I would have been struggling for a week.
04. MY GRATITUDE AND PRAISE.
To those who continue to overcome their own challenges.
05. I WANT TO PRAISE MYSELF.
I've driven myself so hard with the number of push-ups that I want to quit, but I've learned that consistency is key—I've drastically reduced the load and am enjoying it.
06. PERSONAL YOGA PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK.*
Yoga every day - Hatha, Kriya, Mantra, Pranayama
07. DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING.*
It's hard to concentrate on what I need to do.