Yoga: One Step in Learning Self Care

My journey with yoga, is thus far, short. I guess it was a little over a year and a half ago that yoga came into my life. I can’t help but think of that saying that teachers come into your life when you need them the most. I’ve never been a very physical person. Even as a kid, I liked the quieter activities like reading and coloring. Oh, except for riding my bike - that was a summery kind of freedom that nothing can match. I hate anything about sports, and I hate sweating. I like nature walks and kayaking, but I don’t like to exercise just for the sake of exercising.

This was until I found Body Positive Yoga with Amber Karnes. This was truly an amazing find for me. I’m usually not an auditory learner, so when I stumbled upon the podcast, I was skeptical that it would work for me. But it did. It’s a thirty-minute practice-anywhere podcast and I really feel great after I do it. I have the Podomatic app on my phone, which has made things even easier.

It resonates with me because of the way it meshes mind, body, and soul. This is essentially the goal I’ve been working toward - strengthening all three. I also can’t ignore the analogy between the balance I have been trying to find in my life as a whole and the balance I work toward on the mat.

Self care can be one of the most difficult things to learn, but it’s such a beautiful feeling. Women are still regarded as caretakers, and many times, this results in the neglect of oneself. It’s so easy to forget to care of you. Most of us aren’t taught how. I want to get to a place where my mind is quieter, my soul is louder, and my body is stronger. I want to radiate the best energy that I can.

With physical skill not exactly being my strong suit, I was surprised that I could learn even basic yoga from a podcast with no visual cues. Amber is nothing short of amazing as she inspires you to be there spiritually and explain exactly how to move your body. The thirty-minute practice is relaxing, yet stretches, and strengthens my body perfectly while I build balance.

I still haven’t dedicated myself to the practice as much as I would like, but I am a work in progress, and I aim to do better. Some weeks I don’t even get it in at all. But, I have my yoga mat and yoga blocks, and I have hope. I have issues with my neck and back and a few rounds of cat and dog feel wonderful. If you look at the reason these poses are named as such, there is so much sensibility. Other creatures instinctively know how to move their body for optimal health and wellness. Somewhere along the line with the development of our collective mind, humans have forgotten that animal instinct. I, for one, aim to reconnect with my body and soul. I must say that my favorite pose is warrior one because it exemplifies who I am in name and stance.

I would love to hear about your experiences with yoga or your favorite poses.

~ Peace and Love, Tracey

© Tracey Love, 2015. All rights reserved.