Day 139 Musings

Sunset waves on the pond

When we focus on what we can get out of yoga, we miss the point.  We also place ourselves in physical danger while sabotaging our relationship to our practice.  To realize the beauty of yoga in our lives, we must never forget that the prize is in the process.

~ Rolf Gates & Katrina Kenison, Meditations From the Mat

It is Day 139 of my year-long challenge to practice yoga daily.  As each day goes by, I think I ought to write something about it here at Ye Olde Blogge, but after pondering a while, I come up with nothing.

Sunrise in the kitchen

I can describe to you some of the physical benefits of my daily practice.  For instance, I can sit comfortably on the floor and rise up from said floor with grace rather than groans.  I feel more comfortable in my body now than I have in years.  There is a looseness in my movements, a calmness that starts on the outside and works its way in.  I have days when the movements and breath connect and flow, making me feel as if I’m floating along on the river of yoga.  I have days where it all feels forced and my thoughts are everywhere except with my body, there on the mat.  Most days are somewhere in the middle.  Good, not great or terrible.

Geese on the pond at sunrise.

Most of the lessons I’ve learned so far are very much like the lessons I learned during my year-long outdoor challenge.  They’re not tangible enough to translate into words.

It’s like trying to grasp the wind.  I can feel it, but I can’t see it or catch it.

At any rate, I am still on track and practicing daily.  The changes I’m experiencing are gradual.  I expect those changes will stick, just as the changes made during my outdoor challenge stayed with me.

Izzy at sunset

Old Man Winter is back for another brief visit.  We might even be able to get out and ski a little by tomorrow or Sunday.  I don’t think there will be enough for the ski areas around here to lay tracks, but we might at least be able to ski around the pond and the meadows.

Bella reminding me to exercise.

We don’t have any big plans for the weekend, mostly due to the possibility of snow squalls.  It’s best not to travel anywhere if you don’t have to when the lake effect snow machine kicks on.  We’ll probably stay in, keep a fire going in the fireplace, watch a movie or two, kick back, and relax.  Perhaps work on our vacation plans.  I’ll be telling you all about that soon.  Just a few more things to line up and it will be official.

How about you?  Any plans for the weekend?

Yoga teaches that everything is connected.  Movement influences breath; breath influences the mind.  What we eat affects our bodies and our moods.  Our thoughts, words, and deeds shape those around us.  Life, in essence, is a series of ripple effects.

~ Anna Dubrovsky, Yoga Journal, May 2011

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