Yoga — Days Three & Four

Theme: UNDERSTANDING

I tried something different yesterday. I attended a yoga class in the evening after work. This was only the second yoga class I’d ever attended. And I had never waited until 5:30PM to do my yoga. Usually, I practice yoga at home, in the privacy of my office (with the door shut). I also tend to hit the mat first thing in the morning before I start my work day.

I think that’s why I’ve been so good about doing yoga regularly. I found the perfect time and place for me to create a true “habit.”

Without reason

Yesterday, leaving my house for yoga in the evening turned my entire day on its head. This shouldn’t be a big deal, but for some reason it seemed to be. I guess I have trouble with a change in my schedule.

This resistance to change may be why the best way for me to embrace yoga has been to make time for it EVERY DAY — not every other day, not on the weekdays only, but EVERY DAY. You see, I’m not really a here-and-there or let-me-see-when-I-can-fit-it-in kind of gal. Once I make a plan I want to stick with it. For me, making an exception or veering off-course can be a slippery slope.

And the worst part of it is that I often make big, unrealistic promises to myself. Then when I make mistakes or get off-course, I begin to dislike myself and to feel lousy. And then, suddenly, I don’t just get off track and behind on my plans, I begin to feel like I’ve failed.

I felt the beginnings of this self-loathing come on last night and again today as I got busier and busier. In fact, changing my yoga routine threw my entire schedule off, meaning that I didn’t have time yesterday to send off the emails I needed to send and to write my daily blog. That’s not all. I realized this evening that I was also at risk of missing a second day of blogging.

Here’s what I usually say to myself in these situations

Today is only April 4. How could I have already failed? I’m such a loser. This is why I will never get my novel published or find my dream job or stop eating cheese. I am disorganized and lazy and a failure.

But this type of destructive self-talk didn’t happen this time around, and here’s why: No matter when or where I practice it, yoga is like magic for me….

A growing awareness

Yes, I was disappointed that I didn’t write yesterday — especially since I promised myself I would write every day this month. And, yes, I am staying up super late tonight to finish today’s blog. But thanks to yoga, I’m cutting myself some slack. I now have a new understanding — something that I think everyone could benefit from (and something that I wish I had embraced before the age of 50):

• Life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about doing the best we can at a particular point in time.
• Life isn’t about doing the same thing that everyone is doing. It’s about finding what we’re good at and sharing our gifts.
• Life isn’t about following rigid plans or refusing to change. It’s about being flexible and willing to try something new — even in a new place and at a new time.

I now understand that changing plans can bring new discoveries.

I believe that even small stretches can make a big difference.

And it’s tough to write late at night when I’m so tired. I hope this blog makes sense!

Until tomorrow…GOOD NIGHT!