In this time where we juggle taking care of our children, working, managing chores, cooking, cleaning, shopping, organising our schedules whilst still trying to find time for ourselves and keeping in touch with friends and family; it can become stressful and overwhelming.
I find that waking up and practising yoga gives me space to breathe, ground myself, come into my body and switch off the mind chatter. When I do that inspiration comes, my energy is restored and I feel stronger and ready to cope with the day, or whatever is coming next. Of course there can be days when it is hard to get on the mat but I am always glad when I do and feel so much better for it.
Even something as simple as mountain pose (Tadasana) can change everything. It is an active and important pose, much more than just standing. It encourages you to engage every single muscle of the body and corrects the posture.
If I notice myself slouching I straighten my back and feel my abdominals engage, my shoulders loop back and then my thigh muscles engage, which takes the pressure off my knees (one of them I am working on healing at the moment by strengthening the muscles around it). I notice how much my yoga practice has affected my posture, fitness, physical and mental strength. I feel calmer and more able to handle challenges with a level head.
Posture is also important for mental clarity and meditation, I am learning this through daily practise and reading:-
“The most important point is to own your own physical body. If you slump, you will lose yourself. Your mind will be wandering about somewhere else; you will not be in your body. This is not the way. We must exist right here, right now! This is the key point. You must have your own body and mind. Everything should exist in the right place, in the right way. Then there is no problem. If the microphone I use when I speak exists somewhere else, it will not serve its purpose. When we have our own mind and body in order, everything else will exist in the right place, in the right way”
“Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” Shunryu Suzuki
It is easy to forget this and I constantly remind myself. I’m not saying that there won’t be times when we might lose composure, and even maybe ourselves in tough situations, but it is SO important to find time for a personal practice. Even if it is n't yoga, it may be some form of exercise, meditation, journaling, going for a walk, a day at a spa or even a couple of hours to ourselves. Whatever we need to do to bring ourselves back to the person that we know we are and want to be.
Be strong as a Mountain
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