Yoga
Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
Martha Beck
Yoga. It’s something I’ve wanted to try for years, but I found it intimidating. I admire people who use yoga as a spiritual practice, a way to connect to the Source, a way to stay peacefully centered in an increasingly chaotic world. I saw yoga as something for “them”- the spiritual masters, those quiet, Zen-like folks who can meditate for hours on end and seem to be at peace no matter what’s going on outside. Let’s just say that I am not one of “them.” I am addicted to busy- I like having a full calendar, I like getting stuff done. And when I’m not getting stuff done, I am busy making lists of what needs to be done.
Quiet, for me, was tough. When I am quiet, I can’t hide my negative emotions. I can’t get away from myself. Lately I have had to make myself turn off the TV and the radio, shut down the computer and (gasp!) silence my cell phone. I am so used to being over stimulated that the quiet can be overwhelming.
It did get easier. I learned that when I am overly focused on the outside world, I am disconnected from my soul. I have also figured out that reconnecting to my soul can make what’s out there much easier to deal with. I’ve walked in the early evening, when the sunlight shines through the trees and the world is winding down. I’ve sat perfectly still under the big tree in my backyard, hypnotized by the sound of my own breathing. I found that my favorite way to get quiet is to relax in a hot bath full of bubbles- no lights, no music, just silence.
Slowly, the fear of failing at yoga faded away. I read the above quote one evening, and a light bulb went off. I searched online, and I signed up for a level one yoga course being offered at a vo-tech near my house. It’s funny to me that the Universe knows exactly what we need before we need it. My first class was yesterday, and it was just what I needed to de-stress from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days.
When I first walked in, I saw one of “them.” This woman looked like one of the most peaceful human beings I’ve ever laid eyes on. She quietly arranged her mat, covered her shoulders in a beautiful sari, and started humming as she twisted her body into positions so complex my only thought was “She must be damn good in bed.”
Thankfully, the rest of the class consisted of people like me. We looked around nervously, text messaged friends from our cell phones, fidgeted. As I signed the release form, I thought to myself, “I’m so glad I wore makeup. Hopefully the paramedic who comes to my rescue is hot and single.”
Well, it turned out to be better than I expected. The dim lights, soft music, and soothing voice of the instructor calmed my thoughts, and the tension melted away from my muscles. Some of the poses were difficult (“You want me to put my feet WHERE?”), and I didn’t quite understand the concept of three-part breathing (I was surprised that air was still reaching my lungs in one of the positions) but I am learning to be gentle with myself. I am proud of myself for simply showing up.
Yes, I’m new at it. Yes, I suck at it. And you know what else? I love it.
Martha Beck
Yoga. It’s something I’ve wanted to try for years, but I found it intimidating. I admire people who use yoga as a spiritual practice, a way to connect to the Source, a way to stay peacefully centered in an increasingly chaotic world. I saw yoga as something for “them”- the spiritual masters, those quiet, Zen-like folks who can meditate for hours on end and seem to be at peace no matter what’s going on outside. Let’s just say that I am not one of “them.” I am addicted to busy- I like having a full calendar, I like getting stuff done. And when I’m not getting stuff done, I am busy making lists of what needs to be done.
Quiet, for me, was tough. When I am quiet, I can’t hide my negative emotions. I can’t get away from myself. Lately I have had to make myself turn off the TV and the radio, shut down the computer and (gasp!) silence my cell phone. I am so used to being over stimulated that the quiet can be overwhelming.
It did get easier. I learned that when I am overly focused on the outside world, I am disconnected from my soul. I have also figured out that reconnecting to my soul can make what’s out there much easier to deal with. I’ve walked in the early evening, when the sunlight shines through the trees and the world is winding down. I’ve sat perfectly still under the big tree in my backyard, hypnotized by the sound of my own breathing. I found that my favorite way to get quiet is to relax in a hot bath full of bubbles- no lights, no music, just silence.
Slowly, the fear of failing at yoga faded away. I read the above quote one evening, and a light bulb went off. I searched online, and I signed up for a level one yoga course being offered at a vo-tech near my house. It’s funny to me that the Universe knows exactly what we need before we need it. My first class was yesterday, and it was just what I needed to de-stress from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days.
When I first walked in, I saw one of “them.” This woman looked like one of the most peaceful human beings I’ve ever laid eyes on. She quietly arranged her mat, covered her shoulders in a beautiful sari, and started humming as she twisted her body into positions so complex my only thought was “She must be damn good in bed.”
Thankfully, the rest of the class consisted of people like me. We looked around nervously, text messaged friends from our cell phones, fidgeted. As I signed the release form, I thought to myself, “I’m so glad I wore makeup. Hopefully the paramedic who comes to my rescue is hot and single.”
Well, it turned out to be better than I expected. The dim lights, soft music, and soothing voice of the instructor calmed my thoughts, and the tension melted away from my muscles. Some of the poses were difficult (“You want me to put my feet WHERE?”), and I didn’t quite understand the concept of three-part breathing (I was surprised that air was still reaching my lungs in one of the positions) but I am learning to be gentle with myself. I am proud of myself for simply showing up.
Yes, I’m new at it. Yes, I suck at it. And you know what else? I love it.
posted by BlossomingSoul at
10:27 PM
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