I was quite dedicated to a loyal yoga practice for a great percentage of my life.
I spent over a decade working as a yoga instructor and I have been to more classes than I care to recall. If it’s in a yoga room, I’ve probably done it, from Ashtanga to Kundalini to Yin to Vinyasa Flow.
Despite the variety and uniqueness of teachers, studios, classes and styles, you are bound to notice themes and overlaps. Yoga-tropes, if you will.
“Ground through your feet.”
“Take deep breaths deep into your belly.”
“Listen to your body.”
Some of them make more sense than others, and a few will make more sense as you practice more (and then there are those that make absolutely no sense and never will).
More recently, I’ve gained an appreciation for one that I heard so frequently but never really appreciated.
“Acknowledge yourself for simply showing up today.”
I never understood this. I didn’t understand why I would be congratulating myself just for being in the room.
They would continue to emphasize that I could lay on my mat the entire time, not move a muscle, and despite my lack of effort, it would still be an accomplishment for me having made it to the class. This did not compute for me.
And then I had children.
I had children and realized that any amount of time I can put aside for myself is very much a miracle.
The fact that I would even plan to put aside time for myself -- that is not only solely time for myself but also in support of my physical and mental health -- is a tremendous feat.
I know there are some moms out there that are absolutely rocking the socks off life.
I am not one of those. If I manage to get out of my pajamas before I’m seen in public, this is an accomplishment in and of itself.
So, if you too are someone that’s just barely sucking in gulps of air before getting pulled under the ocean of to-dos, or maybe you’re rolling on a metaphorical yacht and you’re fully-equipped, regardless, I think we do get to claim that acknowledgement, that self-recognition.
We deserve to pause on our mat and recognize that it truly is an accomplishment having had made it there, to put that time aside for oneself in a busy day-to-day that doesn’t always make that an easy task.
Get your down dog on peeps. I’ll see you there.