Summer Exuberance

So here we are on the precipice of summer….a long awaited one at that! Soooooo how about starting to pay attention to what makes us happy? I know, I know it is a fairly large topic to grapple with. But again, we learn to be patient and observant in our yoga practices so......
I heard a reading from a book called The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown. (Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.) This book, as its title suggests, is a great accumulation of research on a movement of letting go, on becoming more mindful about what is truly important in our lives, what is worth working towards. Sounds familiar? Yep, we hear these messages in our yoga classes.

The chapter read was about Play and Rest (Chapter 7). It was about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth. Which is hard. In our circles,  the first questions people ask are, "Who do you work for? How many degrees do you have? How many weekends a month do you work?"  We seem to think that the more overtime hours we put in, the more exhausted we sound, the more important we are. Why is that anyway? When did this become a badge of pride? There are times in our lives when overworking is inevitable. When times are calmer,  Dr. Brown suggests taking a good look at ourselves by making two lists: one of things that bring us joy and meaning and another list of dreams. Making a list of "joy and meaning" - when things go well in your life, when you feel happy what does it look like? Dr. Brown and her family's answers included: "sleep, working out, healthy food, cooking, time off, weekends away, going to church, being present with the kids, a sense of control over our money, meaningful work that does not consume us, time to piddle, time with family/close friends, and time to just hang out". Comparing this list with their dream list - accomplishments and acquisitions mainly--bigger house, cars, large salary goals - on this list everything requires making and spending more money.

They realized that by letting go of the items on the second list, the things they wanted to acquire and accomplish, they would be living fulfilled NOW!! Not in the future, but RIGHT NOW!! Just as any changes in our habits, our outlook, our routine, this is yet another not-so-easy process. It does not mean that you will not move into that bigger house, have that car, get the degree, but it helps put things in perspective. It will make you realize if you really need it, or you want it because that is what you think you are supposed to want or have. Allow yourself more time and clarity of what is truly important and time to reflect on what makes you happy NOW.

Well, I went home and made my list. There were some surprises, some question marks, and some stuff to work through. It was a great exercise! It will take some time to live by it and I am aware that the list will change as my life circumstances change. One thing that I came away with was that meaningful work does make me happy. I am so happy every time I step on the mat. I am happy when I am teaching yoga. I am happy when I am writing. If I can be lucky enough to do those for the rest of my life...

I wish you good soul-searching, finding things that truly make you happy and enjoying them…..NOW!!!  'One of these days" is exactly now! Make this summer a SUMMER TO REMEMBER--the SUMMER OF NOW.  Embrace the important things and live your dream TODAY.  Discuss your list with your spouse/significant other/family/children/best friend and have them make theirs.  Create a list together and STICK TO IT! Keep each other accountable!! Toss out the stuff that no longer serves you. Embrace the stuff that sets your soul on fire!  Why is it when our schedules get hectic, our bucket-fillers get ditched?  Now how crazy is that??!!

Yoga teaches us to be present so let's take that off our mats and into our daily walk.  Look at your schedule and make yoga your sanctuary time on a regular basis so that your reflections on what's truly meaningful is cultivated each and every day…hopefully on your mat and off… Let us embrace the sunshine, the warm weather, the outdoors, each other and ENJOY our present moments!!

Yoga On!
Trish

Yoga is like organic farming for the body and soul

-->

Yoga is like organic farming for the body and soul

 

 We all have different reasons for coming to our mats.  We all have our own transformational journey that yoga has allowed opportunity for; for some a physical transformation, others a mental or emotional metamorphosis, and still others a spiritual awakening or deepening.  Let us remember how unique a gift yoga can be not only for ourselves but also those around us.  One of our yoga students came to their mat through a struggle.  With their permission, I am sharing their words with all of you. They are transparent, authentic, grateful, and everything that yoga embodies.  Take a moment to not rush through this tale.  Let this yoga journey speak to you as all of us can relate because we all have things that entangle who we were authentically made to be. We all struggle with false ideas.  I promise this shall resonate deep within your soul!

Like millions of Americans, I struggle with chronic emotional and mental health issues. I am no stranger to anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. They’ve led me to self medicate with everything from alcohol to marijuana to nightly doses of Benadryl. I am no stranger to addiction. I’ve fought and won hard battles with prescription painkillers, benzodiazapines, muscle relaxants, and sleeping pills. For years I have relied heavily upon substances to alleviate everything from frequent headaches to chronic infections, from acute muscle spasms to panic attacks. If there were a pill for it, I would take it. I would take it desperate for a quick solution. It wasn’t for lack of awareness. I simply told myself that I didn’t have the time for the kind of self-care and preventative measures required for true health. I am a single parent with too many bills, too many PTA meetings, too many part-time jobs, too much housework, and too many college courses. I have too many people vying for my time, energy and support. Who has time for silly things like breathing and stretching?

I wish it hadn’t taken me this long to get real with myself. To accept and understand that it is me and only me who is responsible for my health and well-being. That self-love requires far more action and way less excuses. And that yoga could offer me the long-term solution to my anxieties and addictions great and small. Does it sound like an exaggeration? If I were the reader, I sure would think so. Yoga seems so passive. It seems so simple. So optional. Well, I certainly cannot speak for all humans, although I would like to believe that there are humans much like myself in dire need of real strength and healing that would benefit from its powers. So, I wanted to share with you just how profoundly my life has shifted since I made yoga a part of my daily life, thanks to my yoga community. I want to share with great enthusiasm and amazement that not only has it improved my posture and self-confidence, strengthened my back and core, and provided relief from physical and emotional pain and stress, it has provided me with a daily dose of spiritual inspiration. While I have yet to delve deep into the ancient spiritual practice of yoga, I can say with great certainty that connecting with the breath and with the present moment are profoundly powerful practices with a wealth of health benefits. When you really start to care for yourself, you begin to feel better in general. And the better you feel, the more likely you are to care. It’s a beautiful cycle, a positive cycle.

It’s been easier for me to choose healthy, alkaline foods. After a practice, after I have had the time to feel my own strengths and weaknesses, search for balance, and tap into emotional pain deeply in need of release, the last thing I want to do is eat processed food, or have a drink. I feel good. And I worked for that feeling. I made the time to maintain my body, and in the process I managed to nurture my spirit and mind. What resulted are baby steps in all the right directions. By taking pause, I’ve come to realize that my way of living was unsustainable. I couldn’t go on that way and expect to thrive. My needs were legitimate. I do need something to take the edge off, to sleep better at night, to help me stay in the moment, and to help combat chronic disease. Yoga, for me, is a part of a very real, very potent path to holistic healing. It has made the impossible, possible. I’m writing to you as an addict who continues to struggle on the daily. But I am writing to you 100% sober, 100% capable, and 100% inspired to be my healthiest and to own my own healing. Yoga is like organic farming for the body and soul. Sustainable and nurturing, possible and vital. I give thanks for our yoga community and all the knowledge and support I have received here. I wish you all Happiness and Wellness. 

With a joyful heart, Namaste.

A Soleil Lune Student