Skip to main content

Post Holiday Yoga

Wednesday, December 26, 2018
So much cheese.

So much champagne.

So little yoga....

I'm writing this post at 9:52AM, way later than I usually ever start a post on a normal work day.  I'm lucky in that I get a wonderful holiday break all the way through to January 2.

Yes, like most, I intend to "de-tox" after the new year, but I know that I'll be in much better shape for that de-tox if I go into 2019 with a strong yoga base.  Long story short, I'm going to use the time I have off to rededicate to my practice.

Physically, I feel bloated, full, and sore.  I have over-indulged in food and drink for nearly two weeks now, and I feel like it's caught up to me.  I tire easily, I crave more junk food than normal, and my spirits are up-beat, but not very energetic.  I'm going to intentionally move with a good deal of strength on my mat today to sweat things out, but I expect to be blocked in several areas (forward bends, inversions, etc.).

Mentally, I feel steady, but I've had irrational fears and anxieties flitting through my head.  I can usually push those negative thoughts to the side, but, sometimes, my brain fixates onto something, and I can't move it out.  Too much coffee, and low-self-esteem from my all-cheese-all-champagne diet has made me feel a little bad about myself.  lol

I laugh at my anxieties and fears when I'm on my mat, and I burn through them, and any other negativities that are running around in my heart/mind/body/soul.

Time to meditate, and sweat it out.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 (Part II)

I'm writing this on my mat, having just come out of Savasana.

I don't even know where to begin.....

I went on an emotional, physical and spiritual journey in the 60-70 minutes I spend meditating, praying, and moving in/out of my Asana (postures) sequence. 

I felt good, bad, horrified, delighted, shamed, proud, unsure, certain, vulnerable and protected.  I know this sounds like tripe, but it's true; I believe that physical postures and sweating/heating your body releases things (both good and bad) to be sent up through your mind, body, soul, etc.  Think of Luke Skywalker when Yoda was having him balance rocks whilst in a handstand; he's successfully holding a one-armed handstand while lifting stones with his mind.  So focused was Luke that the windows of reality aligned for a split moment, and he saw a glimpse into the future. 

No, I'm not saying that yoga practice grants you glimpses into the future, but the physical strain and discipline dissolves things in your body that you're holding onto (whether you know it or not), and they dissipate and disappear as thoughts, ideas, (both good and bad) and you keep moving through it.  It's a metaphor for life, if there ever was one. lol

Mentally, I'm feeling proud and refreshed.  Physically, I'm drenched in sweat and proud of what I accomplished on my mat today.  I know that the first time I go back after a hiatus of a week or more, the practice can seem easy, my body is cooperative and almost wants to be moved deeper into each post, I'll be stiff as a board tomorrow, but I'll simply warm up again, and break through it again, as I did today.

Life is good.

Namaste

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Good Enough

Thursday, December 19, 2024 Feelings and emotions (in general) are things that I advise anyone to be aware of, but to never let them control you (a feeling isn't real and an emotion isn't real either, despite what Pixar and Inside Out, etc. all have to say to us about emotions).   The emotion/feeling of being "good enough" can work for us and against us (some days we feel more than good enough and some days we don't); whether "good enough" is working for us or against us, it should still be observed, but never focused on much.  I woke up not feeling "very good" and or "good enough" and or blah blah blah...... I am happy that I'm on my mat, and beginning my practice as I know I will feel better afterwards.  Time to begin... Part II: As always, I write the initial post before my practice, and I write the Part II immediately after I've concluded my practice.   My perspective and outlook has changed so much from a few hours ago.  ...

Monday Yoga

Monday, July 24, 2023, After an enjoyable and yoga-less week and weekend, I'm back on my mat. We'll see what today's practice brings.  It's 5:20am, and it's time to begin... Part II: As always, the first update is before I practice, and Part II is written immediately after my practice is complete; usually about ~2 hours later.  I was stiff.  I was sore.  I was unfocused.  I was bloated. No matter how "uninspired" a practice can be, it always refines you into a better version of yourself.  For that, I'm grateful.  Time to enter the world.  Namaste

Tuesday Yoga

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 Last day of April 2019. I woke at my usual 4:30AM this morning and had my hour of coffee and contemplation. Physically, I'm feeling good.  Slightly sore and stiff, but feeling overall well. Mentally, I'm feeling fairly well controlled, but I can sense my brain flitting from one thought to the next.  I'm going to focus on controlling my thoughts this morning, and add an extra "omph" to my physical practice to help sweat out any over-active tendencies. Spiritually, I'm feeling well.  I'm secure, solid, and whole.  Time to sweat it out.