So it wasn’t really yoga, officially, but I did go to a stretch class a couple nights ago that was very yoga-like. And although the 30 day challenge officially ended 8 days ago, that was my little nod to the loveliness that it brought back into my life.
It was actually my first yoga class of the whole challenge. Because of my mommy status and my discomfort with leaving my little one at the gym kid’s corner, it has been easier to do yoga at home this past 30(8) days.
This challenge went through so many phases for me, and I really found myself shifting focus three times throughout the whole month. I petered out in my yoga practice after the first 10 days or so… and although I continued to stretch far more regularly than I had done before, it wasn’t true yoga, you know?
But then again, I guess I shouldn’t say that. Because one of the things I’ve learned through this, is that yoga isn’t just a practice you do on the mat. It’s a state of mind, and a way of being present that you practice in your life.
Either way… around the ten day mark, my family went on a trip to Half Moon Bay. That trip triggered my shift into the self-love aspect of the challenge, which I had all but forgotten about in my focus on the yoga. It was there that I remembered how to pause in my day. To breathe, and consider… what I really wanted out of that moment. What my body needed (food? rest? movement?), what my mind needed (a stimulating book? a tv show entertainment? the emptiness of just being, in front of a fire, with a cup of tea?), and what my baby needed… because it was just the two of us for long stretches of time.
I realized how much my days at home are filled with activity, without very much consideration for what I really want or need at the time. I’m playing with Mason, or making sure he’s entertained while I’m doing something else… and then when he naps, I go to the internet out of reflex. Do nothing terribly important most of the time, while I half-heartedly try and figure out what I wanted to do during that nap. And by the time I figure out what it is, and rush to do it, Mason is starting to wake up again. And over again we cycle.
Half Moon Bay was a great weekend, for all of us. And upon returning home, although old habits die hard, I’ve been able to bring more awareness… more Attention to our days. Which makes me a happier lady, and a more fully present mama and wife. And when I fall back into habitual mindless activity… I’ve been able to identify it much quicker.
My last shift was another mind, body centered focus… but a surprise one. A groupon deal prompted a friend and I to sign up for 30 days unlimited classes at The Bar Method. It feels like an amazing cross between pilates and dance techniques. And although it kicks my ass every time I go, I feel stronger and more capable in my body after every class. And the mental lift, energy and sense of discipline it’s giving me are an amazing handful of side effects.
So clearly… i think this challenge was rad. And although I was enjoying my life as it was unfolding prior to these 30(8) days… i’m so smitten with it now!
Soooo a huge thank you to Laura, who’s amazing blog led me to this challenge, to Betsy who dreamed it up, and to all the fantastically brave women who participated.
I know I posted this video in the last post on this challenge… but it’s just so gorgeous that I have to do it again.
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