Yoga--Not Just a Phase

Full disclosure time: I have to admit that last year, when I first decided to start a yoga practice, I wasn't sure if I would stick with it. I'm one of those people who doesn't always have that stick-to-itness (and maybe you're in that club, too?).

Yet here we are, just about a year later, and I'm still engaging in this peaceful and mindful practice. To be honest, some weeks have gone by when I didn't bring out my mat. My home office is a prayer room/writing office/private yoga space, so I go into it often enough, but there were a couple weeks here and there that went by during which I didn't spend any time in my practice.

Interestingly, it mattered that I didn't. There was a difference, especially when it came to my problems with anxiety and stress, and I found myself returning to the mat.

Besides helping me manage stress better, yoga has been very beneficial to me in other areas. It's true what people say--you DO find yourself eating healthier, reaching for fruits more often than sweets or carb-laden chips. There are other benefits, too, other reasons to spend a half hour or more in your yoga space.

Have you flirted with the idea of making yoga part of your life? Or maybe, like me in the past, you went to a few classes, loved it but haven't made time for it again in your busy schedule?

After only one year as a "yogi" (love that!), here is my encouragement and advice to you:

1. Like any other lifestyle change/exercise (even though yoga is more than just exercise), consult with your doctor before starting.

2. Respect your body. When I first started last year, I watched videos and felt daunted by the fact that I wasn't as "bendy" as the instructors. My heels still don't totally touch the ground when I move into downward facing dog, nor do I sit cross-legged with my ankle up on my thigh. That's okay. That's why they call it a practice. Yoga is about more, much more, than just being "bendy."

3. Don't be overwhelmed by the different styles of yoga. Hatha, bikram, ashtanga, vinyasa--it's so easy to be intimidated by all the "arms"! The old adage really does apply here: "Everybody has to start somewhere." Though I have had a wonderful, real LIVE instructor, I've also relied a lot on YouTube videos. There are a plethora of them. Look for the words beginners, gentle, and even for seniors. Here is a good description of some yoga types.

4. You don't have to be skinny or have a 6-pack to do yoga. So if you were thinking about using this as an excuse, please don't! Don't cheat yourself out of this pleasure. On Pinterest somewhere, I came across these words: "This is the body I bring to my yoga mat." Over the course of this year, I've silently said these words as I unroll my mat. If anything, yoga will make you more accepting of your body.

5. All you need is a yoga mat and comfortable clothes. You don't have to buy everything all at once, especially when you're first starting. Little by little, you can decorate your space with plants and candles, and when you're ready, add a yoga strap, blanket, blocks, whatever you'd like. The same applies to clothes: a loose-fitting tank top and comfy leggings will work just fine. When you're ready, treat  yourself to pair of fun & colorful yoga pants!

What about music? You might want to set up your phone or Ipad to softly play yoga/spa music. YellowBrickCinema on YouTube has some beautiful, hours-long music to calm you and help you get centered.

6. Life happens. It also gets in the way. Don't come down on yourself; don't tell yourself you're not dedicated or serious all because some time passes before you return to your practice. No matter how committed you are to something, there'll be times when you don't unroll that mat, be it for reasons of being extra busy at work, family commitments, or health-related problems. Whenever possible, come back to it. Your practice will be waiting for you.

7. Make time for yoga. Make time for you. Yoga is something you do for yourself. Cut out half an hour of TV-watching or start to bed 20 minutes earlier, giving yourself a chance on your mat. If you make time for a vigorous workout, you can make time at least a couple times a week, if not more, for yoga.

My Yoga Practice

Happy to say that, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I began practicing yoga--seriously this time--since right before my 55th birthday last month. Even happier to report that, here we are a month later, and I'm sticking with it.

I should probably preface this by saying that I'm one of those people who "flirted" with yoga in the beginning. My first foray with it was when we lived in Jersey, back when the hubby and I had memberships to Bally Total Fitness. Time-wise, the class wasn't convenient for me, but I did get to attend a couple of classes--and loved it.

Sadly, it didn't last. My kids were younger, and I was writing for magazines and a few book publishers, so my schedule was pretty filled. Yoga, which isn't always as high impact as, well, beating up on a treadmill (though some forms are), ended up something I would someday like to take up, when I had time.

Fast-forward to last year, the last few months. A friend of mine at work, great lady named Wanda, began holding Yogafit classes for employees. I went to one class, during which something clicked as it had before.

Don't know if it makes sense, but my body, itself, likes yoga. It was almost as if I understood that this was for me.

And Wanda said something during that class that resonated with me: "Make whatever adjustments you have to make. Listen to your body. It's YOUR practice."

I realized that I had made a lot of excuses as to why I would "do" yoga someday. Everything from "I don't have time" to "I'm not that flexible" and my old standby, "But I burn more calories going to the gym!"

That last one really felt short, especially in light of the past couple of years. Let's face it: At one point you pass this threshold where you no longer believe exercise (or any physical activity) is only in your life for the purpose of losing or maintaining weight. Eventually you realize that physical activity has too many other benefits to relegate it to the "only when I'm trying to lose weight" corner.

And yoga is so much more than just a physical activity.

So now I try to make it to Wanda's Wednesday night class when I can, plus I practice along with videos. I'm pleased to be able to say that I've been waking up early each morning, giving myself enough time for my practice (anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes on weekdays before work). After several weeks, I'm also familiar with enough poses that I'll put on meditative soft music and work on both the poses and my breathing.

No more excuses. And guess what? I can still make time for the treadmill or a 5K walk around the lake or a mountain hike without giving up my yoga time. My only rest day is Sunday--and even then, it feels like something is missing because I haven't rolled out my mat!

There's always time for taking care of yourself. Yoga is something I do just for me.

For me...and the body I bring to my mat each day.

It's never too late to pursue something that has always called to your heart, as yoga has done to mine. 

Namaste!

Burning Calories WHILE You Write!

Though we could have stayed one more day soaking up the sun in Myrtle Beach, me & Bill decided to come back earlier. That was a great idea since you KNOW I had tons of laundry to do yesterday!


With all that out of the way, I'm able to enjoy this last day off from work. We 40-somethings get up early anyway, force of habit, so I was out of bed not much later than I would've gotten up from work. Breakfast was heavenly! Enjoyed it out on the porch while doing some scribbling on my WIP.


But you know how it it when you're back at home; you're also back to your routine. For me, exercise is part of my routine. It's not just something I do to keep fit; I've done it for so long that it's just a part of my life now.


Instead of going to the gym, which I can do any day, I decided to head out for a walk on the greenway. Just me, my Ipod, the trail in the woods and the book I'm working on right now.


Because walking is so much more than just exercise. It's a writing tool--at least for me, it is. Writing isn't something that should be always be done within the confines of your workspace, whether it's your private office at home or on a bench in the park on your lunch hour, or wherever you do your writing. There's that part of writing that's done without pen or PC, that part of the creative process that occurs before we get anywhere near a notebook or keyboard.


Now since I'm working on a book that will be written under my Consuelo Vazquez pen name, I listened to a bit of Celia Cruz and Tito Puento during that hour. When your feet, clad in sneakers, are hitting the trail, and you're closing out all the clutter that life throws at you, and you're connecting with nature (especially in the morning, it seems), the muse will meet you there.


Parts of the story began to unravel. Especially for someone like me, who doesn't write quite as much as I used to, it's nice to know my imagination still works! LOL! Stories are amazing things. But they have to amaze US first, the authors. If they don't, they'll never touch our readers, and that's a fact. This story, that is as yet in its baby stages, scenes of it became very clear to me as the sunlight peeked in through the trees and washed onto the footbridge ahead of me on my 3 mile-long walk. Like a movie that plays across the screen of your mind, for those of us who rely on the "unheard" rather than a complicated outline that's going to change several times before the story ends, anyway.


Now home, I'm putting off trying out our new pool until I get back from Office Max. I'm going to follow the advice of another writer I once read, who suggested treating yourself to some "back-to-school" treats. Since, yes, I DO write by hand first (usually) and then type it into a document on MS Word (sometimes you need to "touch" the story), I'll be picking up a couple of neat, new notebooks, pens and pencils and other fun junk, and then I'll be ready to write.


So if the weather's nice out there, writers, put off the gym today. Load up your MP3 players with whatever music that's apropros for your current WIP. Lace up your sneakers. Find the nearest park, woods, wherever there are trees and birds and the scent of fresh air.


The muse will be there waiting for you.


And hey--your heart will thank you, too! ;D