#pitaiyo

As a PITAIYO instructor, we conclude each class with a different affirmation, and they change weekly.  As of right now, we are focusing on the 9 week ‘Just Be’ series.

Week 1: Just Be Unreasonable Week 2: Just Be Courageous Week 3: Just Be Powerful Week 4: Just Be Peaceful

Week 5: Just Be Racket-Free What Being Racket-free Involves: Give up being right (and righteous), especially when you know that you are right. 

You can be right...or you can be in relationship with our fellow human beings.  If you insist on being right at the expense of the other fellow's humanity and self-esteem, you leave yourself alone, lonely, and with enemies.  Win people over with love, not with argument and criticism.   Be like Gandhi: never diminish the dignity of any of our fellow human beings whilst being totally committed to your stance.

I STRUGGLE with this one!  Be Unreasonable --Got It! Be Courageous, working on it! Be Powerful, I’ve come a long way. Be Peaceful, I’ve also got a better handle on it! But RACKET FREE? C’mon!! 

Backgroud on me-- I’m the oldest of 4 kids in my family. And the oldest of almost 30 grandchildren.  I’ve always had this idea that I’m right no matter what anyone says, and I tend to stick to it.  As I have been learning a lot lately, I’m not actually always right, and even when I am, I don’t need to prove it.

Just last week, I had a client do me a solid favor (without me asking him to) - I thanked him, but in the same breath I told him that I would have rather done it myself.  Another client was standing in on the conversation and told me that I should be more than grateful that he had done so.  Well if that didn’t just make me more annoyed.  I couldn’t put my racket down.  The three of us kept going back and forth about what was the right way and how the others should react, etc. until we finally just said forget it.  He left, she left, and I was upset. 

Why was it so important that I be right? Why was it so important that I keep arguing and potentially hurt one if not two of my clients’ feelings that night over a nice gesture?  The outcome would have been the same either way, so why not say thank you and move on?

All it was was me trying to be important and let my ego feel fulfilled. That’s all I had wanted.  And instead, I wasn’t right at all, I hurt their feelings and I may have lost a helpful connection.  

It’s not about being right.  It’s not about getting the last word in.  It’s about embracing each and every situation with love.

That is such an important quote to remember when you are engaging in anything with anyone.  Remember that treating people how you want to be treated is by far the most rewarding way of communication. Your ego wants you bend, your ego wants to take over situations for you and go up to bat.  Stay aware, stay racket-free. Embrace those you love and don’t love with love and compassion and just be racket-free.

PITAIYO! Here we go!

Recently, PiYo has become a thing. But, PITIAYO, that's the real THING! --

PITIAYO is a combination workout incorporating the principles from Pilates, Tai Chi & Yoga. PITAIYO is also an acronym for Put It Together All In Your Orbit!  What is IT you may be asking?  IT is the thoughts you think, the foods you eat, the people you CHOOSE to interact with, the places YOU CHOOSE to go.  IT is anything that YOU choose to do!  Your ORBIT is simple, it's your life!  It is all about you.  When people tell you the world doesn't revolve around you, smile and tell them "Okay, but guess what, my orbit does, and I deserve nothing but happiness!"  

This week, our meditation, mantra & affirmation focuses on the lenses that we view life through. 

Let's get started.

What is the lens that you view life through? 

|How do you view life?  Is it bright, positive, looking good? Or is it dark, cloudy, negative and just downright awful?|

How did you wake up this morning? 

| My fiance slept over last night.  (Such a weird thing so say since we were living together for almost 5 years)  I woke up because my body knew that it was time to get up and moving.  He rolled over, kissed me and said "good morning beautiful." Needless to say, I woke up on the right side of the bed and in a good mood.|

What did you eat? 

|Today, I woke up and got showered with enough time to actually make myself breakfast.  It wasn't super healthy, buuuuut, that's okay, because it was breakfast and I was happy I was able to eat before work!|

Was it nutritious? 

|Yes & No, I had two fried eggs & toast + coffeeeeeee!|

Was it satisfying? In what way? 

|YES!  My favorite breakfast!  I was able to take my time and enjoy every bite and every sip!|

Now, let's take the satisfying lens and take a look into our lives.

In what area of your life could you be more satisfied? 

|Work life -- Currently, I work 30 hours at a vapor store, 1 hour at the PITAIYO boutique, and 1-3 hours at AFF teaching class.  I was studying to be a certified personal trainer through NASM, but, it was an online course and I wasn't able to really dedicate as much time to it as I needed to and did not pass my test... Which leads me to wanting to further my learning to teach a better PITAIYO & group exercise class.|

In what way? 

|I want to be my own boss, I want to help people better their lives through living a healthier lifestyle.|

Why is that?

|I don't enjoy working for someone else.  I know this takes time to be your own boss, but I am working towards that!|

What steps are you taking to improve your day? 

|I am living in the moment and loving life.  I am making sure to make every day count.  Every lesson learned.  I am living my life!|