Over the past four years yoga has carried me through some wild times. I found it ever-so-randomly through a college internship gone strangely downward facing dog. And it has been a staple, a constant and a comfort in my life ever since my Teacher Training in 2010. There’s no great story around how or why I got into yoga. Considering the fact that my college friends and I were more into frat parties than drum circles, the story is simply that I, of all people, got into it at all.
That being said since becoming a certified adult by graduating college the thing that has carried me through some of the weirdest and most wonderful times in my life has been yoga. The thing I have leaned on during transitions, break ups & cross country moves has also been yoga.
I can tell my relationship with yoga is lifelong, because I always need it. I don’t just turn to it when things are rockin’ and rollin’ and I don’t run to it when the road gets rough. My yoga mat, my downdog, my vinyasa, my teachers have been there for me when I had a million things to do or when I didn’t know WTF to do. And now, following an amazing birthday where I was surprised by everyone I love in one way or another, I can honestly say that as I make my way (slowly) towards being middle aged (in 24 years) I know that yoga is my lifestyle, my religion and what I want to spend my life doing.
There is always time for yoga. There is always a reason to get on your mat. If ever you find yourself looking for a reason not to go to yoga I challenge you to make that the reason you do go to yoga. Am I getting too convoluted? Allow me to simplify:
Reasons you have come up with not to go to yoga:
- I have kids
- I have a deadline
- It’s early
- It’s late
- I’m afraid to get into it
- I haven’t been in a while
- I sweat a lot
- I feel fat in my yoga pants
- I’m having a terrible day
- I’m busy
- Work is crazy
- And, my favorite, I don’t have time
Now, reasons why you should go to yoga:
- I have kids
- I have a deadline
- It’s early
- It’s late
- I’m afraid to get into it
- I haven’t been in a while
- I sweat a lot
- I feel fat in my yoga pants
- I’m having a terrible day
- I’m busy
- Work is crazy
- And, my favorite, I don’t have time
You will come up with a million reasons not to go to yoga, but the bottom line is this: no one ever leaves a yoga class and wishes they hadn’t stepped onto their mat. Life is full of shit: great shit, terrible shit, mindless shit, errands and children and partners who don’t get why downward facing dog is like dropping to your knees and praying. But regardless of all that shit, you still have yoga class. And as I’ve said before: when you think you don’t have time for yoga and you have a millions reasons not to go, that’s when you need more than ever to grab your mat and get your ass to yoga.
In good times, in bad times, in busy times – it’s always a good time for yoga time.
XO
Heather C
Great points that can apply to anything that you should be doing for your emotional and physical well-being, but aren’t
Great points! I think everyone should do yoga. The first week of January, my yoga class was uncharacteristically full, and I could hear people at the back of the room mumbling, “I’ll never be as good as the women up front…” and they didn’t return. They don’t realize that a few years ago, I was the woman at the back of the room who thought that pigeon pose was a death sentence.
No excuse is a good enough reason to neglect you body and emotional well-being, and yoga is one of the best ways to care for yourself.
Nothing is more powerful than starting a class when you’ve been trying to talk yourself out of it for a couple of hours. Thank you for sharing. Desperately trying to find time right now. I miss it: 2 weeks, no asanas! Too long!x
2 weeks off the mat is THE worst. When are you going to practice?! Set a goal and make it happen!
I know! I feel almost like I’ve undone my good work and I hate using the ‘Too Busy’ excuse (!) but I work and then go straight to play rehearsals… if only they did classes between 11pm and 6am!
Going to make time today- it’s only Yin Yoga but pleased to be finally doing something tonight. Thanks for your support!x
Also check out Yogaglo.com. It’s an $8/month subscription and they have an entire library of classes they filmed direct from a studio in Cali with some of the biggest teachers in the U.S.
#practiceyogaanytime
XO
HC
But it only takes a few minutes for sun salutations.
I know that pain of departure, and it eventually takes me back to the mat. All in good time, and best of luck!
Great post and so very true! I love yoga and I know this will be a lifelong way of life for me. I always feel great after a yoga session and I have found adapting my yoga session to my needs is a wonderful help. if I’m tired, stressed, mad, happy, etc there’s a yoga practice for it. Namaste Heather
Namaste to you as well!
Reblogged this on Nytejokes.