Sometimes it's so hard to get motivated to do any form of exercise....shoot, just any form of movement. Especially as winter approaches, our brains and bodies want to go into hibernation mode. There are those mornings when you wake up, hit snooze and can't imagine rising for at least another 30 minutes. Then when you are finally vertical, you're late for work, child care, a meeting...yoga class! But, in those moments of lethargy and crankiness, try to remember how good you always feel AFTER your yoga class. (This holds true for any exercise you do...a brisk walk, spin class, Zumba...whatever it is you do to get the blood moving and the muscles warm. Think about how you will be feeling when you're done.)
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| Ganesha....remover of obstacles. |
Most of the time, that's what gets me to class when I'm feeling sluggish, cold, unmotivated, you name it. Knowing that once I finish my yoga class, I'll feel ten times better than when I woke up. (And, that not going only makes me feel more "icky" and likely a bit guilty....neither of which I really want to carry with me all day.) To top it off, if I do go to yoga class that day (or just get up and do my home practice), the rest of my day will be on a direct path for calmness and joy. I may give myself many really good reasons that support my staying home, staying on the couch or staying in bed. But, I need to use my creative mind and senses to imagine the moment when yoga class is done...and how I feel. I've usually got a smile on my face, my muscles and joints are exhaling and loose, I have more energy and confidence for the rest of the day, and I have that light, mellow feeling that I can't quite describe. There are so many good reasons to use the end of yoga class as the motivator to getting my mat. And once I do arrived on my mat, the first thing I practice is being present in the moment. I remind myself to be mindful of how my body feels today, aware of my breathing, to notice when my mind may be wandering off as I gently lead it back.
Be present for your full practice....allowing the mind to be free from worrying, stress, or even happy thoughts about your new beaux...just allow it to be focused on one thing only...your yoga practice. This helps to create that delicious, calm feeling that consumes your body after class has finished. So....are you going to yoga today?
Be present for your full practice....allowing the mind to be free from worrying, stress, or even happy thoughts about your new beaux...just allow it to be focused on one thing only...your yoga practice. This helps to create that delicious, calm feeling that consumes your body after class has finished. So....are you going to yoga today?
~Namaste~
by Brooke Nisbet
RYT200
Yoga Teacher | Wellness Guide
