Sweet! It's naptime for the little ones and I have a few minutes of downtime! : ) I've been wanting to blog all week, but haven't had the time! Here goes...perhaps in 10 minutes or less.
I've become quite an avid yogi lately...I am still pretty much a newbie for the most part, but I really enjoy it since starting almost 2 years ago.
I started off in a Beginners course after my youngest was born and quickly signed up for the Beginner's 2nd module. I took some time off from yoga, but when trying to balance family, work, school and life in general, I found my practice to be more important than ever.
Yoga really teaches to be in the moment and to listen to your body, your heart & your mind. It's very holistic, I truly love it.
I then took an Intro to Hot Yoga series and quickly fell in love with doing yoga in such a warm and intense environment. (I am always cold, so the heat feels especially wonderful)
This is how I got myself into a 40 day revolution.
I saw the mass email from the studio a few times & thought, nooo way I could commit to that. Then I started looking at the kids activities for the summer & knew if I didn't sign up NOW, I would never be able to do it.
Sunday April 17th was day ONE. We had our first meeting on Sunday afternoon and it was great. It made me feel very eager and excited for this challenge.
Each person in the group has a journal & a copy of Baron Baptiste's 40 days to personal revolution book. We get materials each week from our lovely and talented facilitator.
We started off by buddying up with another member of the group to touch base with during the week & then actually wrote a letter to ourselves. The letter is essentially outlining what we DID accomplish retrospectively (rather than what we will accomplish). I wrote the letter to myself as if I was thanking myself for completing the 40 day revolution.
We end up doing 5 days of yoga at the studio each week, and then 1 day of home practice. We also have a meeting once a week for about 90 minutes. (This week I'm doing 2 days of home practice because of Easter...but sometimes that's more challenging than going to the studio, believe me!)
I even went to a 7am HOT class. woohoo!
People will say to me, wow Keri you're skinny enough - do you really need to do 40 days of yoga?
As much as yoga is good for the physical body, it is also good for the mind & spirit. The more I get into this program, I realize that it's more than loosening your hamstrings...it's a real journey to contentment & relaxation. Do I sound totally new agey? My friends who know me as a very literal and analytic type A personality will be proud!! : )
In our weekly meeting this week, we had time to journal - it was guided by our teacher. It was pretty awesome to be FORCED to write something, and be forced to use that time just for ME.
That's the other really great thing about the program - alone time. Focused time.
I'm always busy, always doing things, and I'm sure people wonder why I've added this to my busy schedule.
My response is this: I am doing this for ME.
For once it's not for my career, it's not for my education, it's not for my husband & kids (although I'm fairly certain it will benefit them in the end with a happier, stronger, more relaxed wife/mother)
It's for me and no one else. I can't remember the last time I've done something just for me. (Have I ever?)
The quiet time, the wonderful feeling of stretched and sometimes sore muscles, the meditation, the positive intentions....it's all for me.
Moms need me time. Moms need contentment and commitment. This week's theme is PRESENCE. I can't think of anything better when you're with your kids. Truly being with your kids. Truly feeling relaxed and enjoying the moments with them. Not worrying about what's happened before & what needs to be done next. Live & love the moment.
I'm excited that the first week is done...and I've made it! I already feel more relaxed, worry less & feel like I'm breathing more deeply and lighter.
I know that my faith also has something to do with this "new" me - and I bring that faith into my yoga practice as well. That's another great thing about Baptiste's book - he definitely refers to the Bible quite often, but he also talks about the Tao, Buddha & other concepts and ideas as well. If you're considering the program, I recommend buying the book & reading the first chapters - I think you'll be hooked!
As one of the moms said in our meeting this week, after our first week she realized it's not just about yoga anymore. It's deeper than that. I can say Baron Baptiste was right when he said you won't be the same person after these 40 days....I'm only 6 days in and feel great already. I'm looking forward to what the remaining 5 weeks will bring : )
I'll be sure to blog about it, at least once a week anyway...in the meantime, enjoy your long weekend, enjoy the moment. Namaste.
: ) Keri
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