~Sunday, December 23, 2012
Relax
a little!—my
husband’s words last night as I was wrapping boxes and curling ribbons. So I decided to listen to him and joined him
for an evening yoga class.
Ouch! Ow!
Arrrgh!—this was supposed to be relaxing!!! I’m
always so frustrated with myself when I let so much time lapse between classes
and everything feels so much harder;
however, once the instructor starts speaking and teaching the “practice” of
yoga, it takes me to a trance-like state of body and mind, and the feeling of aaaahhhh transcends. Yoga is so much more than simply twisting
your body into challenging positions, or “wowing your friends with a headstand,”
as my teacher says. I have learned that
yoga is also about being in the present, and letting go of the mania, (the
mania that holidays tend to take us to, for example!), and realizing what your
potential is, AND coming to peace with it.
In a season of gift giving, we
also tend to forget about the everyday gifts we already have. I left my yoga class last night with an
intense gratitude for the gift of friendships, family, good health, and peace—peace
of mind, body, and spirit—which I feel is the most important step in attaining
a ‘present’ state of mind where you can visualize your unlimited
potential. The gift of the people
surrounding my life is the only reason I am able to achieve the goals I set out
to accomplish.
So, even as difficult as it may
sound during the holidays, take my husband’s advice and relax a little: Attend
a yoga class, go for a hike, or take your dog for a walk. Take a deep breath and sigh it out—aaaahhhh—your body will thank you.
