What yoga’s telling me
2007 October 16
Yoga is telling me that I got old while I wasn’t paying attention.
Yoga is telling me that I have never before had a grippably wobbly belly and that it gets in the damn way.
Yoga is telling me that I have seized up in all sorts of uncomfortable ways.
Yoga is telling me that growing that enormous second child really did do weird things to my hips.
Yoga is telling me that I rarely draw a full breath.
Yoga is telling me that I almost never stand straight up.
Yoga is telling me that knitting (typing, driving, sleeping) screws with my shoulders.
Yoga is telling me that I had better go easy on myself.
Yoga is telling me to push just a little harder.
Yoga is telling me to take it slow, but go deep.
I should probably keep going.
BKS Iyengar would also suggest you use props in order to ease into asanas and eventually achieve proper alignment.
(I only mention this because of your second to last observation–I worry when people say they will “push a little harder” yoga wise. That way lies injury.)
I hear what you’re saying. And you’re right that I need not to push because although not apparently competitive, I get all cross when my body doesn’t do what I think it should (ha!) be able to.
So I was going to say that what I meant was in the vein of “not giving up” but perhaps I will just think harder about just being where I am right now. And not pushing.
Thanks.
Yep. Aging is officially in process in this body, too, and I really don’t like it. I mean, I enjoy the history and the wisdom gained (what little of it there is), but the physical effects of two giant babies, a desk job, lack of exercise and vending machine snack abuse…well.. yoga and walking and running are all singing a similar song in my ear.
But yeah. We have to keep going. It’s the only way to keep it at bay.
Yoga is honest, no?
I hope you are spending lots of your yoga time relaxing and breathing. That’s my favorite part.
Ok, I want to play too:
Yoga is telling me to come back to regular practice.
Yoga is telling me that if I come back we’ll fall in love again, and it will help me be clear minded.
Yoga is telling me that my body is my home, and to honour that by treating it respectfully and feeding it the oxygen and stretching it deserves.
Yoga is telling me that support networks of like minded people are right there, waiting to invite me in- I just have to get to the door.
Yoga is telling me to have patience with myself, and if I am going to empoly this self destructive version of me for the time being- to have compassion for that- but for GOD’S sake come back to practice soon.
I should probably listen to that yoga chick, too. Make sure you tune in to Jeopardy! tonight (10/17).
Sounds good, really! All except the grippable belly (I have one now too!)
Old Chinese proverb …
Hurry slowly.
I’ve gotten older when I wasn’t paying attention, too.
I have since reacquainted myself with the Bowflex that is behind me as I keyboard…
And I’m doing some herbal, homeopathic stuff..
yes, yes, keep going!
I recently started exercising and for the first time I’m enjoying it. I hated knowing that I should be exercising for my mind’s sake, and yet being unable to do so.
Your yoga is telling me I should be doing yoga.