I have been fairly busy recently. I have sometimes had to work late and my routine has gone thrown out a little. This doesn’t happen to me as much as a yoga teacher as it used to when I was a school teacher. It got me thinking about you, my readers, whether your my students or not. Do you sometimes find it hard to make room for yoga in your life? As we enter into the Christmas season, things seem to be getting busier for everyone as we make room for Christmas parties and shopping. During this time we often have to drop something in order fit it all in. In the midst of it all, do you find time for yourself?
I have had to be flexible recently about when I practice yoga. I am really grateful that each day, whatever is happing, I stop and practice. It is so easy to feel that there is no time to practice yoga when life gets chaotic, busy or when we are going through a difficult time. It sometimes seems there is no time to practice. I am very grateful that I have practiced long enough to know that this is complete nonsense. The busier you are the more you need yoga in your life. I am also grateful to you my student as you inspire me to get on my mat, each and every day, you give me so much dedication and I owe you the same.
There is always more work to be done, other things I should be doing but I feel it so important to just stop and have some silent time. Time away from work, email, Facebook, mobile phones, even socialising, time for you. This can sometimes seem selfish but I know that I have so much more to give as a result of this daily commitment to spending this time with myself practicing yoga.
Obviously the more time you have for this the better, remember though that just a few moments will help. Five minutes watching your breath at the bus stop, 15 minutes to do some sun salutations or making time to get to a yoga class. Yoga can benefit the mind in so many ways and when your very busy it may be hard to switch off even when your doing yoga. One of the many things I love about Ashtanga Yoga is that it flows from one position to another with connecting vinyasas, breath movements. This helps to keep my mind engaged with the present moment as it is so busy keeping up with what’s happening on the mat. I also love the challenge of ashtanga yoga, to attempt something impossible everyday and know that if I fail it’s okay.
Do you find time for yourself over Christmas season? Do you think it is important too?
