Some days you just need a good reason to get out of bed and onto your mat. Lately, our impending move is motivation enough to rise and shine but when I need incentive to honor my practice first, I turn to dedication. This is my way of easing into the day, especially if it’s going to be a busy one.

This week I began each practice with a special dedication to stay focused on my greater purpose. Here are the seven different themes I chose to reflect upon.

#1 Surroundings – Because it is certainly a blessing to live in such a magical place – Sedona, AZ, my number one devotion is to my environment. All I need to do is look out my window to get a good appreciation for my connection to this place.

#2 Family – I send out my positive vibes to those that are most dear to me so that we can all be connected in love.

#3 Wisdom – This is something I have grown to appreciate more and more over the years. A special acknowledgement for those that have come before me and provided me with the teachings that have gotten me here.

#4 Health – It’s important for me to realize that I have to commit to this practice to stay in good physical and mental health.

#5 Awareness – Different from wisdom, awareness is the insight I need to expand myself and continue on the path to happiness and further awakening.

#6 Present Moment – Keeping the spirit of now is paramount as we move into the holiday season. We cannot let the smaller, more material things consume us. Think stillness, solstice, peace.

#7 Change – This is big one for me this month. To embrace it and let it flow over me is a challenge. I vow to make more room for the twists and turns that I will be experiencing as I make these new transitions.

I hope these suggestions will help you get more dedicated to your practice this coming week. It is a pleasure to share and connect!

As promised, I am now using this blog to supplement my new book, Yoga Posts: Building a Steady Yoga Practice One Day at a Time. This week’s post refers back to Chapter #5: Dedicate Today. If you wish to start at the beginning, please look to my first post.