I recently went with my friend Rachel to a Yoga Session at Good Life Fitness. The theme was creating "Space". We went through regular yoga poses - downward dog, warrior pose, dolphin, etc. but I loved how as we progressed to more difficult poses the instructor spoke with us the entire time, reminding us to watch our breath as well as be aware of our surroundings. I walked away from the session feeling entirely refreshed.
Yoga felt so much more gentle and tender towards my body than my usual visits to the gym - which usually involve timed intervals of lunges, burpees, tricep dips, and squats (I'm doing a lighter version of Kayla Itsines BBG Workout).
Rachel had also mentioned Youtuber's Channel Yoga with Adriene. Carlos had gone out for the evening, and knowing I'd spend the evening on my own (and after a long day of work today, and feeling tired and lethargic!). I was being hard on myself around everything - work, relationships, my body. At the time there were some things on my "to do list" I was dreading to get to, and felt that I had to really drag my feet doing it. I knew that at that time I needed some positivity and nurturing. I decided to do the Yoga for Gratitude video.
What I liked about the video is that she gently encourages you to listen to your body, and do "what feels right". We spend so much time doing what other people tell us to do, being what we think others (society, parents, etc.) expect us to be, I think we forget to listen intuitively to what feels right. I've spent so much of my life trying to fix and change everything about myself to fit a mould. I feel that through mindfulness practice I've slowly been transforming how I view myself and my experiences. What's interesting is that nothing has changed about my circumstances or how people treat me, but my emotions, thoughts and reactions to everything has - and its made all the difference.
As I continued through the Gratitude Video, Adriene takes you through different poses and breathing exercises, and she encouraged you to think about what you have gratitude towards.
I started listing a few things off, my boyfriend, my family and friends, Lynne & Kevin, my parents, my relationship with my Dad, my co-workers. Then I started listing a few other things - having a roof over my head, having a better relationship with food, being thankful for my body - even if I'm not 100% satisfied with it. I can be thankful that I am healthy, that I can think clearly and be aware of my feelings even if I'm sad, down, or tired (especially what I was feeling at that moment), I was thankful for having a job and having opportunities afforded to me at work where I can grow, contribute and make a difference in people's quality of life - whether my employer or the clients we work with.
I felt.. lighter. The thing I was "dreading" to work on, I finished in 5 minutes. I was able to approach it with a very non-judgemental approach. The "negative self talk" that I did prior to the Gratitude exercise dissipated. The thoughts were still there but they seemed to have a lot less power over me.
I hope to continue the Yoga Practice, I feel much more body-positive about myself and it frequently reminds me to listen to my body and intuition - what feels good, and what feels right to do.
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