I know what you're thinking. What the?! It's not that simple. All those poses... you have to be super flexible and a tree-hugger or an animal activist, throwing paint on people that wear fur, right? No way. I'm normal. I love hot tea, indulge in good, dark chocolate every now and then, and have a penchant for long baths and rag mags or trashy romance. I wear Converse and jeans, am not always in the mood for a salad, and definitely don't hug trees. The bark makes me itchy. On the other hand, I have learned a great deal in just two weeks that I would like to pass along.
1. Do something you're afraid of doing. For me, this was a hard one. I am very much into my comfort zone, wear the same jeans and tank tops, go to the same Starbucks kind of girl. I don't stray often. The greatest lesson was realizing I was going to make a fool of myself a couple of times at least, and doing it anyways. The feeling passes, and calm ensues.
2. Breathe. This one seemed too simple, even for me. Yoga, however, is based on breathing. You get into all of these deceptively complex poses and the most important thing you can do is breathe easy. That's the key. You know what? When I was stuck in traffic on my way to school, all I did was take a deep breath and stretched my back a little, and instantly, I felt better. More calm. Coffee doesn't even do that for me.
3. Taking care of one part of you makes you want to work on the rest. I am gaining back some much missed flexibility. Now, I want to lose the weight I gained back, I find myself wanting to take the dog for a walk around the lake, salad really doesn't sound that bad, and meat doesn't sound all that awesome. Chocolate and a good mint tea are still necessities but they're balanced with other things that make me feel better and more comfortable in my skin.
4. Don't be so hard on yourself. So you don't fit in your skinny jeans right now. Don't panic. Make it a goal, and give yourself a time limit. Make a list of the things you need to do to achieve that goal, and post it somewhere where you constantly have to look at it. Give yourself some pleasure during the pain and reward yourself for each step that's accomplished. I can promise you'll make it.
5. Cut the fat from your life- and I don't mean food. There are people out there that are just as bad for you as eating a dozen donuts in a sitting. They're not worth your time, effort, or heartache. Although it may seem hard to let them go- I know that this will be one of the most difficult steps for me- make it a goal, and make a list. Cut them out at your own pace, and don't let anyone tell you how to do it. Love yourself during the process, and you'll find that you're more full without them, not empty like you thought you'd be.
6. Build a network. I know that learning yoga from a DVD sounds less intimidating than going to a class. Although it's not bad to supplement your classes with at-home practice, you won't get the new community and camaraderie that comes with going to a class. There are fantastic people out there, willing to be there and support you. You just need to be a little brave and reach out.
7. Be thankful. I have a lot of harbored emotions about everyday activities that I never speak out loud. Sometimes, I feel like I'm going to burst with all the negativity that surrounds me. Yoga has taught me to channel that into other places- look for things to be thankful for rather than looking for the bad in each situation. On the days that I can't seem to focus on the good things, I don't try to force myself to. I scream into a pillow, have a good cry, or bitch it out in my journal. However, I do not spread my negativity to others. Each has their own cross to bear, and I don't need to add to it by being negative.
8. Be one with nature. This doesn't mean I hug trees- like I stated before, I find that completely uncomfortable. I do keep a small herb garden outside, and I make sure I love and tend it. This little slice of nature is my personal green aspect- I use the herbs in cooking or teas, or just to make sachets or use in the bath. I take the dog for walks by the lake, just to be outside. Breathing in fresh air will give you a new perspective.
9. Pay it forward and keep it simple. Go through your closet and get rid of everything you don't wear anymore (you can keep those skinny jeans). Take them to a local swap or thrift store and donate, and while you're there, go searching for something new to you to remind yourself of the good you just did for someone else. Make it something you wouldn't normally buy, like a hat or a new scarf, and keep it somewhere to remind you to be good to others. Have some spare change? Donate it. Pay for a friend's coffee. Spread your feeling of well-being and dole out some genuine compliments. Being good to others will make you feel good in return. Don't believe me? Try it.
10. Celebrate! Don't look for an excuse or a milestone. Did you get up this morning? That's a cause to be happy. Remember that every little setback can be a place for personal growth and learning. Don't let the small stuff irk you, and just work towards everything taking care of itself. Love, be loved, and share the love.
As my journey continues, I will continue to share it... even the hard parts, and especially the funny parts.
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