Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Yoga as a practice


They say (whoever they is) that it takes 21 days to make a habit. This rang true about 3 weeks in when I started waking up in the morning thinking about yoga. I've broken up my "homework" from my instructor into very short morning and evening routines framing and controlling stress. These times are quickly becoming the parts of my day I look forward to the most.


A quick word about stress: I realize comparatively I don't have a lot to be stressed out about. Obviously I've chosen a packed life and much of my stress is self induced in more ways than one. That said, I don't think it matters the amount, what makes a difference to our health is how we manage it. I, admittedly, do not handle it well. Yoga has brought that screaming to the surface and is slowly helping me deal with it better. Invaluable.


Yoga has reminded me how important routine is. A life of faith, a life of balance, a life that is centered and peaceful evolves slowly from the quiet moments of devotion. Whether it's prayer, yoga, meditation, exercise, whatever - we wake up one day unable to pinpoint exactly when it happened, but know deep within the core of our very beings - we are changed for the better.

1 comment:

Cura Animarum said...

We actually started offering 'Holy Yoga' at our parish last Spring to great response. Haven't tried it myself (no one wants to see that!) but all that you say about it here, I've heard echoed by those in our parish who have taken advantage of it.

As I study Benedict's Rule more and more I'm starting to understand just how important balance is too!