Week 2 of Self-Care September is already over, and I cannot believe how quickly this month is flying by. So much to do, and so little time! However, busy beats bored any day in my book.
Say it with me. Busy beats bored.
Being so over-committed in every area of my life made it difficult for me to bounce around for yoga this week, and I only made it to one class! Eek. However, I did make it back to the gym. TWICE! I think that somewhat balanced only having time for one yoga session, and by the time I got to it on Saturday morning I really needed it. I was tired from the work week, my muscles were sore from the gym sessions, and I was downright grumpy.
The yoga class I attended was interesting. Like usual, I had a new instructor. If you remember, Trilogy offers the free community class on Saturday mornings and has a different teacher each week, so you get lots of variation in the classes. This instructor focused much less on our physical form, and much more heavily on our mental focus. We spent a significant amount of time at the beginning and at the end of the class meditating. The class was great for brand new yogis, because the moves were as basic as you could get and the pace was slow.
The slow pace drove me nuts for a minute. Okay, maybe five. Once I finally settled in, I began to appreciate what this instructor was offering me. She nurtured our spirits, coaxed us on our energy, and made me more aware of my breathing than any other instructor has been able to. Initially, the cynic in me revolted (but only on the inside, while I tried to look the picture of serenity on the outside) to all the mushy stuff and talk of spirit energy. However, I did my best to quit being so judgmental and to allow what she was saying sink in; to be open to new ideas and ways of thinking.
Yoga is unique in that it doesn’t constantly need to be pushing your body physically in order to challenge you. The mind can get the work out.
This class got a Zen Factor of 9/10. It was a lot slower than I anticipated, and in all honesty I would have preferred it to be more challenging physically, but it definitely brought all the benefits someone practicing yoga could want: acceptance, patience, and inner peace.
The more classes I take, the better my body and I get to know each other. I’d say we understand each other a whole lot better now than we did even two weeks ago. The more classes I take, the less I hate my inflexibility. The more classes I take, I can stretch just a teensy bit deeper. I feel more connected, more adept, and more mold-able to the present moment.
My body is becoming more pliable. More resilient. Stronger. More accepting. And so are my mind and spirit.
This Week’s Triumphs…
- 1 Yoga class. The format wasn’t what I thought I wanted, but it was just what I needed.
- 2 gym trips. That’s two more than I’ve done in at least as many months. Go me.
- Chargers win over the Seahawks. With 70,000 people in attendance and a temperature of 94 degrees in Qualcomm stadium, I had my hands full while working the game. However, we won the home opener! Which is huge. I love football season.
This Week’s Tribulations…
- Over 60 hours worked between 3 jobs. One foot in front of the other. I’m hitting my goals, and I’m using that as motivation to keep me going. You’re only young once, right?
- Totally neglecting my Leadership class. I haven’t been connecting with the course material or format. The most useful part is the required readings. The homework just feels like busy work and not a true representation of our comprehension. Still not giving up.
- The heat. San Diego has been in the middle of what seems like a months-long heat wave, which is peaking today. It’s hot. It’s humid. It needs to end.
My goals for Week 3 are: to continue to make it to the gym, try out some new yoga spots, and to basically keep doing what I’m doing! I look forward to a much needed day off on Sunday. Sundays are the best days.
Work hard. Dream big. And never forget- you can do anything you put your mind to.
xoxo
Sarah
Sarah Cueto 