How Sticky is Your Mat? Or Did You Slip Off Your Mat?

Life changes and we change with it, right? Our time is taken by running here and there, people, work, family, and much, much more. Where does the time go? Is it the middle of January already? And how are those New Year's Resolutions coming along?? Have you resumed your Yoga practice since the Holidays? Are you attending class once or twice a week? Have you returned to your mat at home or do you even have a home practice?

Breaks in routine are good. They keep us alive, flexible, creative, and interesting. We never really go back to the exact same routine, even though it may seem the same—there are tweaks and twists, like the kaleidoscope. They all change the picture of our lives.

So…what does this have to do with slipping off your mat? There are times in our lives that prevent us from keeping a regular Yoga practice, or anything else that happens on a regular basis. So, how can we make time for ourselves, a practice, or maybe even a soak in the tub with some bath salts? Self-care.

First, recognize that when you pull out the mat, you are a different person than the one who rolled it up some time ago. Your body may be significantly different, too. I practiced Yoga “off and on” for many years. Each time I returned to practice, I had lost some space in my body. Sometimes, I found it again, and in some instances, the space is still ‘lost’. I am still searching for my Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana). Have you seen it? I also used to play racquetball. I left that sport for a time and when I went back, I found I just did not have “it’ anymore. The speed, endurance, vision, ambition---all gone! I was different.

If you slipped off your mat for the duration of Winter celebrations, the Fall return to school, the Summer of travel, or the Spring of yard work, babies, children or loss of interest, consider a return to the mat. At home, perhaps you can remember a few postures that felt good. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) feels great and stretches the whole back of your body. Maybe you feel like testing your strength and balance by lifting one leg toward the ceiling in a Three Legged Dog.

Remember for balance, what you do on one side do on the other side. Life and Yoga are all about attaining balance. If you stretch the back, stretch the front. Perhaps a Sphinx pose is possible. Lying front down on the mat, bring the elbows under the shoulders, forearms extended forward and on the mat. Stretch your head, neck, shoulders, back long then begin to lift your head, neck, shoulders, heart and torso as you're able, to look like a sphinx guarding a pyramid. Let your chest drop between your shoulders to feel the skin of your belly stretch. Take it easy now….you have not done this for a while!!

You stretched the back and front; maybe you are inspired to search for side poses. And then back to class, working into a home practice once again. And pay attention—to you, your body, your mind, spirit. They each shift with each breath and movement. With each step back onto that sticky surface we call a Yoga mat, you come closer to getting stuck forever, like I did.

See you in class----Tuesdays at 5:30—On Your Way Home—Be There!

Peace

Betsy Brothers RYT

P.S. Check out Gracetree’s February "Pair of Hearts Promotion." Bring yourself and a friend, or two!

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