As I step foot outside my house I notice the sun is rising, and the birds are singing. Life awakens! Is it getting lighter earlier…? — No matter what time it is, every single day, there are cars on the road. — Where are people going at 5 am on a Sunday?
I arrive at the studio at 5:40 am, as I have since day 1. I begin warming up my body, moving feels so wonderful! Nothing else matters for the next few hours, it is just me and my Yoga mat.
My journey of 21 days of Bheemashakti Yoga practice, ended Saturday. This morning, by default, I was up early, although I did sleep in until 7 am (on a Sunday morning) — I was unable to stay in bed, so I allowed my day to begin.
The journey
I think about my experience these past few weeks. Full disclosure — I made it to practice 20 out of the 21-day program — Looking back I could have made all 21 days and earned a perfect attendance bumper sticker. – No bumper stickers are issued for perfect attendance.
On day 11 (right in the middle), I chose a resting day. — In all fairness, when you have been rusty for months, and begin a daily practice of 2+ hours a day, the body begins to complain, the mind can play tricks on you, and the body may believe those tricks.
There was a conversation among some of my Yoga peers about this topic, they said sometimes the mind will set a condition and the body might respond to it — for example, if you experience a mild injury, your brain may say, “Remember to slow down, don’t go too far, it can hurt” — perhaps the body will be more susceptible and feel tighter or take longer to heal. Maybe once we release that condition in the mind, the body will be able to relax, mindfully open up, and surprise us.
The flow
By missing a day of practice, I attempted to honor my body and allow it to rest. I slept in (as much as my kid allowed) and had a regular mommy day, with a home yoga practice in the afternoon — challenged by my kid hanging onto my lifted leg, or tackling my standing leg, and invading my yoga mat when attempting a pose. — The joys and challenges of practicing with a toddler!
On other days I felt as tired and sore as I did on day 11 – or more – yet I made it to practice bright and early and I felt wonderful. As our teacher says, flow with how your body feels today and allow yourself to be surprised.
Another friend (with a perfect attendance record) said he aims to make the most out of every single day — “I wish I did not make Yoga practice today, said no one ever.” — So true!
We all practice for different reasons, some enjoy moving the body, some enjoy the community and social aspect, and some enjoy the meditative parts. — In one way or another, we all experience benefits that keep taking us back to the Yoga mat at 5:40 am.
The discovery
Every day was different for me, some days my body felt tighter and sore, and some days it felt more open and I could go deeper. — I get a glimpse of the possibilities of what I can do. — I love moving my body and going beyond my boundaries.
There is a discovery that comes with daily practice. It is a commitment to focus, self-discipline, and letting go—a lesson in compassion and self-acceptance. — I am reminded of my love for Yoga and the benefits for my body, mind, and soul.
In the past, I stated that “Yoga is the best choice I have made for myself.” — There was a time, in recent months, that this statement seemed so far and strange from where I have been, and I could not remember why I felt this way. — I do now, and I am deeply grateful for it.
❥ Namaste
P.S. If what you read here speaks to you in any way, I invite you to leave a comment below, and to subscribe, so you are notified when a new topic is published.