Revelations while lying on the floor...

Source

At the end of every yoga class, we take a little rest. By this point, you're very sweaty, worn out, fully stretched out and ready for a little break. Usually I find myself hovering between consciousness and sleep, thinking about random things, even though I try desperately to "quiet my mind." My mind is not easily shut up.

Tonight however, my teacher began our relaxation with a little word about reaching deep within yourself, literally to your core, and allowing your figurative fingertips to graze over the eternal observer within each of us. It's not the mind that holds your fleeting thoughts and worries, it's something sits back and lets the transient details pass. Some people call it a soul or a spirit, but tonight I found myself imagining a deep well of childlike energy and enthusiasm deep at my core.

I remember what it was like to laugh and think of nothing else but that joyous laughing moment. The simplistic emotional state of being a kid. No worries, no stress. Lately these two things have made up a large percentage of my life. I kept having a memory of swinging in the sunshine as a little girl, letting my head drop back on the upswing and enjoying the free-fall on the way down.

It has been so long since I've just enjoyed the free-fall without the worry of what the bottom will feel like. I know that this is pretty normal. As life grows in complexity, thoughts become cluttered and life starts to feel heavy. But, occasionally you feel the lightness of life come over you as well. Tonight feeling the lightness of life, I cried in class. I did so quietly because I didn't really want anyone else to see, because I was a little embarrassed about becoming so emotional. But, I cried because if felt so good. I felt great to be light again and even though I'm being challenged personally and professionally right now, for that moment I felt the burden lift. It was a "satisfied sigh" sort of moment.

Anyway, sorry to get all deep on ya. But my wish is that everyone reading this might have their occasional revelation on their yoga mat, or whatever your outlet might be. I hope that in that moment you feel yourself lift and lighten, because you've given yourself what you need. And, I hope that you can take that lightness forward with you into your life and remember that ageless energy inside you that doesn't change; no matter how much your life does or how much adversity comes to you. You're still the kid on the swing, no matter how old you are.

Yogatastic Announcements!

I don't blog about it very often, but I am avid fan of yoga. I've been practicing for about three years and it has truly changed the way I think about fitness, health, balance and well-being.


This Saturday, January 23rd, is Yoga Day USA! It's a great opportunity for those who have never tried yoga to get a taste of the practice and maybe find a new passion! There are many, many studios/rec centers, etc across the country that are offering classes on this day (for free!) and you can find one near you by visit the Yoga Day USA website. I hope anyone and everyone who is interested in learning more about yoga will give it a shot. It's a great way to stay fit inside and out.
And now for local news. My yoga studio, Just Plain Yoga in Camp Hill, PA, is also offering a Beginners Yoga Class this weekend to benefit the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra! It's this Sunday, January 24th, from 4:00 - 5:00 pm and all proceeds from the class go straight to the HSO. Here's more information at Just Plain Yoga's site. It will be taught be my wonderful teacher, Tina Stroh, so I hope that you can come and Yogacise with me!

In other yoga news, here's what I am currently working on in my own practice. The Prasarita series is very difficult for me. While it's one of the more simplistic series of movement in the Standing Series of Ashtanga Yoga, I struggle with it because of my feet. I realized that I walk with my feet rolled toward the outer edge. This causes the tendons on the outside of my shin to be extra tight, so getting my head to the floor is impossible and my feet ache, ache, ache. My teach Tina tells me this will lessen in time and I can see that things are getting easier the longer I stick with it, but it's a challenge! Any other yoga enthusiasts who wish to chime in with tips, comments, what you're currently working - please share!