I was hesitant
about committing to daily yoga. I wasn't doing any yoga at home
before January 2015. I only did yoga at my favorite yoga studio a few
times a month. I really liked the energy that is cultivated in a room
full of men and women who practice yoga, breathing and moving
together. I just couldn't imagine thinking up a regular home
practice. Then I contemplated the way I COULD add yoga to my home
life. Four sun salutations seemed possible, but 365 days seemed
daunting.
Four sun
salutations isn't very many, but what makes it something is its
daily-ness. It didn't take long for me to realize I was on to
something that would persist long after I crossed the activity off my
list. I felt better every day for having this quiet, five-minute
practice in my routine. Moving my body is important to
counterbalance all the sitting and writing and contemplating I do.
Even though the
list is completed as of today, the daily yoga will live on in my
life. I am excited about the ways the four sun salutations will
transform into other forms of practice as I feel ready to stretch
myself—literally and figuratively.
As the list comes
to a close, I've been thinking about the past year. I've thought a
lot about how in some ways the year has gone by really quickly and in
other ways very slowly. Marking time with a daily activity like my
time on my mat has definitely slowed the time. I am really glad that
I chose to mark each day's practice on a calendar. Otherwise, all of
the days would have bled together and it would have been hard to
remember when I made progress.
I feel stronger and
stretchier I ever have before. I am more limber. My head is clearer,
more able to handle the stresses of daily life. I like thinking
that at 41 I am stronger and more agile than ever before, and that
with this small daily routine, I will continue to gain in strength
and flexibility.
A friend recently
sent me this article.
I've been trying to pick out a good quote to include here, but the
whole article is so good, it needs to be read in its entirety. Your
daily things may be different from my writing and yoga, but his point
remains the same. The important stuff must be a part of our daily
routine.
Another friend sent
this video yesterday.
It inspires me to keep working and stretching in my yoga practice.
The old me would have watched this and said, “There's no way I'll
ever be able to do that.” The 41-year-old me says, “Won't that
be fun to work toward?”
Just another way this list has transformed
me.
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