The $70 mat may sound extreme, but when you've gone through 2 other ones and slip and slide all over the place when you're supposed to be grounded - it doesn't make for a very yoga-esque mindset. So, I got the highly recommended non-slip pro. There. Justified.
Anyway. Yoga fucking rocks. No other way to say it. Not only does it allow me to get out of my own head, but it's transformed my body to be more flexible and strong. I sleep better (between feedings), I run better, but best of all - I calm down easier, which has been an essential tool during these rough toddler times.
I'm not perfect. I lose my cool, I raise my voice. But what yoga has taught me is that it's not about when you have these moments, but how quickly you recover from them. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I've learned to walk away and focus on my breathing to bring myself back down to neutral. From there, I feel better equipped to deal with the situation at hand. And when I do overreact, I am quick to catch myself. I always find myself apologizing to Lyla when I become frustrated, and then explain why mommy felt that way. I remind myself that things are only stressful and overwhelming if you allow them to be. We create our own anxiety. If I don't want to feel that way, it's a simple as not allowing myself to. But getting out of your own head is, once again, easier said than done - especially in those moments where both kids are crying and everything seems chaotic.
But yoga has given me the power to control myself, and use my energy where it needs to be, and keep it from where it doesn't. If I dwell on how hard a situation is, or how overwhelmed I feel, then I'm destined to struggle. If I remind myself that this moment will pass, and that tomorrow is a new day, then my glass is half full. Optimistic is the only way to be.
So come on, Mr. UPS man, and bring me my ridiculously expensive but life saving mat!
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