Yoga is said to balance the body, mind and spirit while offering wonderful stretching and muscular benefits. As a proponent of balance I decided to give it a try.
My gym has a number of different classes for the varying levels of experience and workout desired. I opted for the beginner level to learn the stances and get into the spiritual or meditative aspect of yoga.
Much to my dismay, my body struggled to get into the poses and my mind began to reel. The harder the position, the more my mind meddled. I found myself getting more and more frustrated as I was unable to get into the positions, let alone hold them.
I kept thinking how relaxing yoga looked. I wanted so desperately to get into the Zen of yoga, let myself go, quiet my mind, and experience balance. I began to focus more on my mind which of course made matters worse.
Since I was a newbie the instructor was generous with her time and helped me with foam blocks and extra blankets. I had never seen them used on TV or in the peaceful photos that I wanted to become. I felt like a yoga failure, my body hurt and struggled, my mind interfered and my spirit was deflated, not exactly my ideal yoga experience.
An hour and a half later the instructor had us lie on our backs and listen to the gentle waves of the ocean that she provided on CD. Again, my mind started to berate me saying that I couldn’t do this, I was not flexible enough, I was not peaceful enough and I was definitely not in yoga balance.
My mind, body and spirit were not in alignment during the class. I started to buy into the negative feelings as we wrapped up the class and was wondering why I thought that yoga was right for me.
Just then, the instructor stopped me on my way out of the room. She offered words of encouragement and said that she too had trouble quieting her mind in the beginning.
She said that the mind of a mother is unique, it holds so much and loves so unconditionally; it deserves to be given ample time to relax and be cared for in return.
Thank you oh Yoga Mentor!
I heard what you were saying and I appreciate that you took the time with me. I will be back, I will try to be patient with myself and I will allow my experience to be nurturing instead of forcing a false sense of balance.
For now I am going to take a hot shower, sooth my sore and aching muscles and nourish my bruised spirit by hugging my kids.
Off to make another Mommy Milestone.