Welcome to December, the season of holidays. Ah, the holidays...a time that's supposed to be for relaxing and reconnecting and celebrating. In reality it's often something quite different, as we all know. A friend of mine told me yesterday that he has a phrase for this time of year that starts with Thanksgiving, then on to Christmas/Hanukkah, and finally New Years. He calls them the "Trilogy of Horrors." Now, that's a bit extreme, but we had a good belly laugh over it, and I know that for a lot of people that's actually a pretty good description of the knots they tie themselves up in during this time of year. Don't forget that yoga can help you to relax, de-stress and untie those knots during the holiday season.

Here's a theme to contemplate for the month of December (it's the one I'm currently reflecting on). Appreciation. Can we bring a sense of appreciation and wonder into our daily lives, on a moment-to-moment basis. As the season picks up, the pace of life can accelerate to the point of near-insanity, and everything begins to feel like it's going by in a blur. Appreciation requires time. We have to slow down in order to really look at the shape of clouds going by, or take in the simple magic of twinkling holiday lights on the window across the street, or feel how amazing it is that this body can actually move and stretch and breathe deeply. So much to delight in and marvel at. So easy to miss it all as it speeds by. Take the time. Slow down. Start each morning with a simple intention. Today I will appreciate what life brings my way. I will not focus on what I don't have or don't like. I choose to turn my gaze in the direction of all that I do have.

Many, many blessings for a wonderful, easy, comforting, peaceful and appreciative holiday season.