“Fire the judge and hire the witness.”

–Gurudev Shri Amritji

So many times in yoga class I look around and compare myself to others.

Why can’t I reach my toes like her?

Will you just look at that show-off over there doing the head stand.

Why is my body so inflexible?

It’s time to fire that judge inside my head. Just turn it right off and instead be the witness to how amazing my body and yoga practice has become.

Want a little tip on how to do this? Close your eyes! I can’t do it in every pose, or else I’d fall over, but when you can, close your eyes to quiet that inner judge. With eyes closed I can’t focus on others, and I’m free to witness what my body is experiencing.

Witness the beauty in life and in others, instead of always being a judge. This is a lesson that can and should be applied off the yoga mat as well. Except, please be careful with the eyes closed part!

Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras

61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra

Let your mind go and let the prana choreograph your body.

–Gurudev Shri Amritji

Prana is our energy, breath, and life force. When I’m in yoga class, if I follow this advice, it is amazing how much more enjoyable and rewarding the class is. Quieting the mind, focusing on my breath and letting that breath heal and guide me. Yoga is like a dance, and using your prana is the best way to choreograph it.

Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras

61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra

Don’t mind your mind—let it go and it will stop. When you are having negative thoughts, don’t react to them. When you react to your thoughts, they become real.

Wow, that is not only some deep stuff, it is also nearly impossible to do. I’m going to put this into practice over the next week and try to ignore all negative thoughts…I’ll let you know how it goes!

Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras

61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra

“When you change yourself, you change everything.”

—Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Amrit Desai)

Making a change can be really simple. All you have to do is change your negative or false perceptions of life and the people you interact with, and you can change everything.

Ah Changes, reminds me of my favorite song from David Bowie…look out you rock ‘n’ rollers!

Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras

61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra

I recently attended a Yoga Nidra workshop led by Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Amrit Desai), and I’m having a hard time trying to decide what the most important takeaway was. I learned so much but here’s one of the lessons I think is best.

We create our own world by how we create our perceptions.

In essence, we are all responsible for our interpretation of our interactions with others. We can either allow our perception to be good or bad, negative or positive.

Here’s an example that occurred to me just last night. I was exiting the Ohio Turnpike and pulled up to the tollbooth. I am very strategic about which line I get into and selected a line with only one car, thinking I’d be on my way quickly. Unfortunately, the tollbooth gods were not looking over me. The car in front of me was taking forever, and it was obvious from the tollbooth attendant’s arm movements that she was providing directions. I had two options here: I could either let myself get incredibly pissed off at this person for not knowing where he or she is going, not having the correct money to pay, and keeping me from getting where I needed to go or I could choose to be patient, give the person some compassion for needing direction, and not allow myself to get stressed out. I picked the latter, turned up the radio, and enjoyed listening to music. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you allow yourself to have a positive perception about a situation.

So many times I think we allow ourselves to just instantly have a negative perception toward something when we really shouldn’t. Why didn’t someone return my call or e-mail? We think, He must be blowing me off, or I must not be important to him, instead of thinking, I’m sure that person is really busy, and he will get back to me when he has the time. Why didn’t my husband put his coffee cup in the dishwasher? (Okay, I admit that is a hard one not to be negative about!) Probably for the same reason I always leave the bathroom light on. Why wallow in all of that negative energy?

We all have the power and are ultimately responsible for creating the perception of everything that happens in our lives! Wow!

“Yoga is really trying to liberate us from … shame about our bodies. To love your body is a very important thing — I think the health of your mind depends on your being able to love your body.”

–Rodney Yee

All you need is love. Love the one your with. Let your love flow and get on that Love Train!

Stop by every weekday for the Daily Downward Dog, my daily journal of cool yoga and meditation experiences!  Check out the Yoga category at the Cool Stuff Shoppe for great books, DVDs and yoga products. Thank you for clicking on the ads when you visit to help fund this site!

From feminist statements to slaying jabberwockies, we covered a lot of ground in April! And, the Daily Quote got a new format, so starting April 28, watch for daily posts with more content and fun about the great women bringing you these daily pearls of wisdom.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

–Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady of Song

Thanks for the words of inspiration Ella!

Monday, April 26, 2010

“There is a growing strength in women, but it’s in the forehead, not in the forearm.”

–Beverly Sills

Friday, April 23, 2010

“Life itself is the proper binge.”

–Julie Child

Go out and BINGE on life this weekend!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

“The only sensible answer to the question, “Who is smarter, a man or a woman?” is “Which man and which woman?”

–Estelle Ramey – please click on her name and read the bio of Estelle. An academic, scientist, and feminist, she was definitely a women who rocked and helped spread the word with scientific research that there was no hormonal reason for women not to hold executive positions, including the presidency.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

“Even though a number of people have tried, no one has yet found a way to drink for a living.”

–Jean Kerr, author and playwright

Damn – I was really hoping that could be a way to earn a little extra money in retirement!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

“I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch”

–Gilda Radner, incredible comedienne and actress

Miss you Gilda.

Monday, April, 19, 2010

“I can slay the Jabberwocky!”

–Alice Kingsleigh, aka Alice in Wonderland

I know it took me forever, but I finally saw the movie last night and I just have to say – I loved the fact that Alice is such a great heroine and role model for girls.  Have your six impossible thoughts every morning before breakfast, don’t feel pressured to do what everyone else thinks a girl should do, and take charge of your life! You go girl!

Friday, April 16, 2010

“Never underestimate the power of passion.”

–Eve Sawyer

I love this quote – it can have so many meanings.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

“The best things in life are free, but sooner or later the government will find a way to tax them.”

–Author Unknown

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

“A girl should not expect special privileges because of her sex but neither should she adjust to prejudice and discrimination.”

–Betty Friedan, feminist writer and activist

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

“I have a brain and a uterus, and I use both.”

–Patricia Schroeder, U.S. Congresswoman

Monday April 12, 2010

“One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter.”

–Francoise Sagan, French playwright, novelist and screenwriter

Friday, April 9, 2010

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you?”

–Erma Bombeck

Totally agree Erma, but I also firmly believe that housework is something that should be subcontracted (if possible).

Thursday, April 8, 2010

“Taking joy in life is a woman’s best cosmetic.”

–Rosalind Russell

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

“It has long come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

–Elinor Smith, a pioneering American aviatrix

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

“I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.”

–Gloria Vanderbilt

Monday, April 5, 2010

“Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

–Sharon Schuster

Let’s all get a little absurd this week. It’s on my to do list!

Friday, April 2, 2010

“Young women today often have very little appreciation for the real battles that took place to get women where they are today in this country. I don’t know how much history young women today know about those battles.”

–Sandra Day O’Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

This quote has motivated me to get more information about the early women who rocked up here on MariaMedia.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

“My dad always used to tell me that if they challenge you to an after-school fight, tell them you won’t wait — you cankick their ass right now!

–Cameron Diaz

Thought I would start out April with a bang. Go get em!

Need more daily quote fun? Check out the Daily Quote Archives for February and March 2010.

Stop by every weekday for the daily quote from Women Who Rock. Your daily serving of fun, attitude, and brilliance courtesy of an amazing woman!  Check out the Women Rock category at the Cool Stuff Shoppe for great books, DVDs and merchandise from these great women. Thank you for clicking on the ads when you visit to help fund this site!

Over the weekend I was out of town and needed a yoga fix, so I went to the local library in search of a yoga DVD. I was anxious to try a new workout video and hoping to find a great new instructor. Unfortunately, the selection was not the best and included titles like Yoga Weight Loss for Dummies. Yes, I do own a few books in the For Dummies series, but when it comes to yoga, I was skeptical and a bit of a yoga snob, thinking that the Dummies could never do it justice. However, I let my morbid curiosity get the best of me and had to check it out.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised after I finished the 37-minute workout. It provided a combination of standing and mat yoga postures blended into a flowing sequence that kept me moving and definitely got my heart rate going. I even broke out in a little sweat.

Of note, a standing version of cat-cow that will become part of my regular at-home repertoire to keep my back stretched.

The good: This video is perfect for someone short on time and seeking a combination of yoga and aerobics to get that daily fix of endorphins. It provides helpful tips throughout the workout, along with posture modifications.

The bad: If you are seeking a soothing yoga workout, this DVD is not for you. You will need to block out the unfortunate choice of background music, and there is no shavasana at the end. How can a yoga video not have savasana?

All in all, I would recommend trying it if you like to do your yoga practice in the comfort of your home and need a quick yoga fix. You can always add your own shavasana! Try looking for it at your library or buying a used version on Amazon.

Yoga Weight-Loss Workout for Dummies

Got a great yoga DVD to recommend? Please let me know – I’m officially in search of great yoga DVDs!

Stop by every weekday for the Daily Downward Dog, my daily journal of cool yoga and meditation experiences!  Check out the Yoga category at the Cool Stuff Shoppe for great books, DVDs and yoga products. Thank you for clicking on the ads when you visit to help fund this site!

Or better yet – how can I live a better life story.

I love this time of year, when all the buds on the trees come out and I can see the gray bare branches turn to green, pink and yellow right before my eyes.  It’s kind of like mother nature writing us a new story every Spring, and I never get tired of hearing it.

I feel like this last year of my life has been my way of rewriting my story. I was able to get unstuck creatively and spiritually and in essence, edit my life to make a better story. I’m living a more satisfying life, living in the moment and getting off the couch!

There’s a great new book out there by Donald Miller about this exact same topic - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life.

I heard about it today on Chris Brogan’s blog and after reading all of the reviews, I can’t wait to read it.

Thanks for listening to my story these past few months – your comments and feedback have helped me live a better story, and I hope they inspire you to do the same.

It is official; my gray hair is now considered trendy. Apparently, it’s all the rage on the fashion runways, and younger women are making a statement with silver and white highlights in their hair.

I was born a redhead, but over the years it has darkened to an auburn shade and now is filled with natural silver highlights provided by age, daily dosages of stress, and a few golden highlights thrown in courtesy of the sun. Much to my hairdresser’s chagrin, I’ve never dyed my hair and never will! I know it would make me look younger, but I figure I’m saving lots of time and money. I don’t have to worry about showing my gray roots or having a bunch of chemicals seeping into my scalp. And I just feel like we shouldn’t be ashamed of getting older—my motto is: Go with what you got and work it!

So, imagine my delight when I opened the Sunday New York Times yesterday to read an article titled “Gray: No Longer Premature,” by Ruth La Ferla. The article is about younger renegade-type women who are requesting silver highlights in their hair and making quite a fashion statement in doing so. If you have the time, definitely read the story, and also check out the comment highlights below the story.

Evocative, subversive, inaccessible, cachet…wait a minute, these are all words being used to describe gray hair! Young women are seeking out this color, and older women are paying $1.3 billion each year to cover it up. Wow, I’m feeling kind of special for sticking to my guns and not covering up my beautiful trendsetting silver streaks!

Is this a nod to their older, wiser sisters or perhaps a wish to be more cougarlike or are they mocking me? I don’t really care…I’m just going to choose to believe that I am making a fashion statement.

I absolutely love this comment from plt brooklyn and had to repeat it here:

My colorist’s name? “Father Time.”

It is the nature of youth to wish to seem older; it is the nature of the older, to wish to appear young; it is the nature of humans to wish to alter nature.

Young people’s silliness is part of their charm. And my well-earned gray hair, is part of my charm!