Finding Balance in the New Year
This month I’m steering away from new year’s resolutions and focusing on how I can bring more balance to my life. In my first post, I discuss bringing balance back to my diet this month. We have been working hard at this, and I am happy to report that it is going very well. I’m most impressed that we have stuck to our commitment to eat breakfast every day. I’ve also had more energy and feel more buoyant (physically and emotionally). I know there will be ups and downs throughout the year, but this new routine is definitely having a positive effect on my mood.
Why It Takes Me 15 Years to do Things That Are Good For Me
Another way I strive to bring balance to my life is through physical activity. Because I spent my teen years and early twenties very concerned with my weight, I have always exercised. Despite daily trips to the gym, I never enjoyed fitness and I never wanted to exercise. It was just something I felt like I had to do to maintain my weight. I would force myself to go to the gym, but would never push myself hard during workouts. My interest in fitness changed, however, when I discovered yoga.
Believe it or not, yoga was first recommended to me during my late teens. It took me until the age of 31, however, to take my first class. I started yoga for three reasons.
- One: Shortly after Christmas in 2016 I bent down to lift up some plates from my china cabinet. When I stood up, a horrible pain shot through my back. I could not sit or walk comfortably for a number of days after. Fortunately, the movement only strained my back, but it scared me. I have a very active job and enjoy being able to move freely wherever and whenever I want. I did not want back pain (especially in my 30’s) to impede my lifestyle.
- Two: I graduated with my doctorate a month before starting yoga. I had free time, and I was looking to fill it with activities besides reading, binge-watching, or cooking.
- Three: My friend Christina is a yoga teacher and encouraged me to come to her class. I probably would not have tried yoga without her. I am very shy about trying new things, especially if I don’t know anyone, so having a friend there made it much easier for me to step outside of my comfort zone.
A New Experience
Even though my yoga teacher was my friend, attending my first class was still a scary experience. First of all, at my studio (Dancing Dogs Savannah) the teacher does not model the moves, but simply instructs and assists. The instructors also switch between sanskrit and English words for the poses. The first time I heard chaturanga dandasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, adho mukha svanasana, I had no idea what to do!
I kept watching other people out of the corner of my eye and tried my best to follow along. I also convinced myself they were looking at me and judging my novice yoga skills. As someone who has practiced yoga for two years, I can now say I don’t really notice the people around me, so I’m pretty sure no one else does either.
The second intimidating part of baptiste yoga is the room temperature. The room stays at around 90 degrees, and it can be a bit overwhelming. I started practicing yoga in the winter, which makes the heat a little easier to handle.
Beginning yoga was also a bit frustrating. I did not know the poses well, and would get irritated with myself and, at times, the teacher. After a few weeks, however, I started to memorize the class sequence and the poses and started to feel “blissed out” (Christina’s phrase) after classes.
Lessons From Yoga
Practice Not Perfection
One of the things I’ve grown to understand about yoga is that it is something you practice, not something you master. Some days I can balance effortlessly on one leg. Other days, I’m falling all over the place. Part of practicing yoga is not doing each pose perfectly, but embracing what feels right for you body during each practice.
Community Over Competition
When I first started yoga I was very self-conscious about my practice. There was always some yoga goddess in class (flawless bird of paradise pose in white yoga pants = Nickie blown away. I mean, who actually looks good in white yoga pants?).
Whenever one of these yoga goddesses would show up, I always wanted to emulate them. Luckily, yoga teachers are amazing at making everyone feel welcome and included. They also quickly let you know that yoga is not about comparing yourself to others or modeling a famous yogi you follow on Instagram. Christine, one of my teachers, always says: “I know plenty of assholes who can do a headstand.”
Although I know all this about yoga, I still have to reign in my ego on occasion. Recently, I attended a class where I was one of only two women. For whatever reason, I desperately wanted to show the men up, so I pushed myself extremely hard in every pose. I was worn out after about fifteen minutes, and spent the next hour struggling.
In yoga it’s important to build community, so my effort to push myself harder than the men was not only petty, but also antithetical to the practice of yoga. I have tried to curb this behavior by focusing on how I can build others up before/after practice. This is much more beneficial than focusing on how I can impress others with my poses.
Balance and Breath
Yoga is the perfect metaphor for balance because the practice revolves around effort and ease. Parts of the practice are very difficult and require maximum effort. Other poses are more relaxing. At times, effort and ease work together in a pose, even if that just means smiling when you are twisted up like a pretzel and your legs are burning and you want to give the teacher the finger. You maintain balance by focusing on breath throughout the practice. At first, it’s very difficult to breath and complete the poses. With practice, however, breathing becomes more natural.
Balance in yoga is just as important as balance in life. It’s unsustainable to move through life without taking a break. While I work hard during my day job, I look forward to the easier moments when I get home from work. Finding that balance makes me happier and more productive.
Yoga is for Everybody
Yoga has truly had a profound effect on my life. I love the way yoga makes me feel and I try to attend two to three classes a week. I even look for ways to practice when I’m on vacation (something I would never have imagined doing with any other activity).
If you are interested in starting yoga, please know you do not have to be thin, flexible, or young to do it. I let fear and self-consciousness keep me from yoga for 15 years! This month, I’m not only making sure to get my yoga practice in to help maintain balance, but I hope others will try yoga (or any activity you’ve been too afraid to try) as well.
If you Want to Start Yoga
- Research studios in your area and select a few to visit. Most studios offer at least one free class, so you can see if yoga is for you without making a financial commitment.
- You will definitely decide you love yoga, so treat yourself to some yoga gear. I know it’s basic, but I do love lululemon yoga pants and tank tops. I use a manduka mat, and it’s still going strong after two years.
Why Balance Matters
Maintaining balance is difficult, and sometimes physical activity and diet get overlooked. As much of a struggle as it may be to fit everything in, it’s important to prioritize the things that make you feel good. I feel my best when I practice yoga, eat healthy(ish), and take some time each week for myself. While these practices got a bit lost in November and December, they are back in 2019.
Note: While I am very passionate about yoga and believe it has positive effects on the body, it is not wise, however, to start any exercise routine without consulting a doctor.
Cindy says
You’ve made a very positive change! So proud of you commitment. What a great lesson you learned “. I have tried to curb this behavior by focusing on how I can build others up before/after practice. This is much more beneficial than focusing on how I can impress other“ I’m so proud of you! Is you Dad still going to his yoga class?