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A Change Is As Good As A Rest

Monday, April 27, 2020 (Part I),
For the past week, I've allowed myself to "slip" into a sort of mini-vacation.

I put quotes around the "slip" because there was nothing "slippery" about it; I was fully aware that I was putting my attention to other things, and creating a, somewhat, new routine with my mornings, and days.  That new routine didn't incorporate my yoga practice.  Why?...  Simply because I allowed my attention, my brain, my thoughts, etc. to float around a little bit in the mornings, and I allowed more than my normal "structureless" time in the mornings until it seemed futile to unfold my mat, and go though my practice.

How did I feel in this 10 day yoga-hiatus?...

Honestly, I didn't feel too bad, but I did feel a bit of shame that I wasn't starting my mornings with my normal routine.

I'm back on my mat this morning, at a reasonable hour, and I'm committing myself to practice each morning of this week.

What I did miss, more than the physical nature of the practice, was the changes my morning prayer and meditation ritual has on my affect, and demeanor; what an odd thing to miss, right?

In the past week, where I did not begin my days on my mat, I would, at times, feel "disconnected" from things.  I felt like, when a strong, weak, or medium sized emotion would come up, I wouldn't understand the emotion as well as I'd like to.  I would normally be able to lasso, and corral the emotion, to understand where it came from, and thus, how to modify or manage the emotion but, without starting my day on my mat, I wasn't able to do this as well.  Nothing too serious bubbled up but, like everyone, throughout the day, your thoughts will float where they want to.

I did feel that I wasn't the "driving force" behind what happens in my life, and I was "floating" wherever the wind would decide to blow me, on any given day; I allowed life to "happen to me", instead of happening by me, and through control from me.

Overall, it wasn't a bad week; I biked, jogged, and worked on my lawn and garden (#dadlife); don't get me wrong, I also lived in a 24/7 cycle of snacking and Disney+....and it was pretty awesome.  However, I did lack a certain feeling of pride and accomplishment, at the end of most days.

This week, however, I'm going to bring routine and structure back in; this begins on my mat.  Time to sweat it out...

Monday, April 27, 2020 (Part II),
I dove into this mornings practice, and worked through my body, worked through my mind, and worked through my spirit.  I feel completely renewed.  I'm writing this immediately after my practice, still on my mat.

I practice a loose style of Ashtanga Yoga which follows a predetermined sequence of Asana/Postures.  If you're looking to expand, and deepen your understanding of yoga, a great beginners video on Ashtanga Yoga can be found here.

I end my practice with an energizing sequence of backbends; a great how-to video for beginners can be found here. 

I'll close and say that, last week, when I wasn't beginning on my mat, as I usually do, I was not living to my full potential as a person; this is ok for a period of time but, if allowed to continue, I believe this would lead to depressive emotions.  I am happy to have taken my break, and I'm happier to have begun today on my mat.

Namaste



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