Day Ten and My Encounter with My Monkey Mind

Day ten of my thirty day challenge was the battle with my "monkey mind".  The "monkey mind" is what yogis call that persistent self-chatter:

Did I forget to put my clothes in the dryer again? … I need to clean my car… Crap, I didn’t pick up pet food! …    I really should make my bed sometime this summer....Woah, I let my toenail polish get this bad? … Are you CRAZY!  You are in a room that is 109 stretching your body in ways you've never done before!  RUN!!!!

And this is what she looks like


Well day ten was the day for my monkey mind and me to have a nice little tug-of-war.  When I walked into the studio I had one goal in mind.  Do NOT take a pose out.  Attempt every posture.  Even if you fall out or get tired, keep going!  Get right back into the posture and try.  Now in a hot room, after ten days straight, and feeling oh so tired, this probably wasn't the best day to make this challenge, but I'm stubborn.  I was going to do it!  And this is when my monkey mind and I started our conversation. 

Basically, she kept telling me things like, "You are thirsty."  "You've been doing this for 10 freakin' days. You deserve to take a knee."  And believe me she is a noisy little bitch!  

I really did try to not listen to her, but I had this epiphany.  Many of the teachers during practice will tell us to "love our body".  That our body LOVES us for what we are doing.  So instead of letting my monkey mind take control, I began to let my body know that I appreciated the persistence.  Now I know some of you reading this may feel like I have lost my mind.  I promise, I'm ok.  No, I'm better than ok.  I took a deep breath!  I'm talking a REALLY deep breath!  As the air left my body, I literally felt the calmness quiet the monkey.  

At the end of 90 minutes, I was able to attempt every pose.  And just to let the monkey mind know we were still friends, she and I shared a fruit bar, and life was good!  

My life transformation in the "Torture Chamber"

So....the other day I was talking to my daughter, Brittany, about my new love...Bikram yoga.  She said, "Mom, you should blog about this.  You are so passionate about it!" And so begins a new post...yes, yes I know, it has been awhile!  But so many wonderful things have happened to me in the past few months that I MUST write about them, and even if nobody reads it, it is there for me!

So picture this...I'm sitting at the faculty room, eating lunch with all my wonderful colleagues, and we were discussing some of the things that we do for stress relief.  Believe me there were many "fun" ideas!  I have always loved yoga, so I was sharing how wonderful my class was the night before.  One of my friends suggested Bikram yoga.  When she explained what it was, I was like, HELL NO!!  But the more she talked about it I could see that it impacted her.  Then another teacher friend chimed in and said that she too had started going to Bikram.  I don't know why, but I said I would give it a try.  The minute I said it, I had a huge ball of anxiety that just started turning in my stomach.  I went home and read everything I could about it.  107 degrees, 26 poses, 90 freakin' minutes...are you kidding me!  But I couldn't back out now!

Thursday, May 24, 2012 I walked into Bikram Yoga Sandy, and my life changed forever.

Honestly, it is hard to explain how.  I am .... hmmmm....at peace?  Seems crazy, considering that the room is known as the "Torture Chamber", but somehow I found something that fulfills me both spirit and body.  It is AMAZING!

On July 17th, I completed my 30th class!  And starting July 24th, I started my new challenge....30 in 30 days!  I'll keep you posted!

Balance

I was in yoga last night and we were doing this balance pose.  I kept tipping to one side and then I would overcompensate and tip to the other side.  Frustrated, I stopped, took a deep breath and focused on this little picture in the front of the room and found my Balance!  It was an amazing feeling.

I came home feeling very much at peace.  Meanwhile, the cable company was calling wanting payment, the pile of essays were stacked up on the desk, the TV was going, people in my life are struggling and needing me.  I needed to find Balance!  So I took a deep breath and let the "noise" around me slowly quiet down.  The cable company would get their payment and what the hell...if it is shut off for a few days, do I really care?  Which prompted me to turn off the TV nobody was listening to.  The pile of essays...there will always be a pile.  What I have learned after 20 years of teaching, one paper at a time and eventually you will get to the bottom.  Breath...focus on that spot...and the spot I focused on was people in my life needing me.

I have always cared deeply for people.  It is a part of me that not only can I NOT change, but I don't WANT to change.  I feel peace when I know I can be there for other people.

And then all of the sudden....Balance!  

Namaste

Easter Sunday

Today brings a new awakening into my life.  I use to be a religious person, but now I would classify myself as spiritual.  No matter what the beliefs Easter has always been a time for starting something new - a rebirth.  This past week has been that.  I love my life.  This rebirth rejuvenates my soul.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful.  So, I went outside and cleaned off my patio.  Awwww the outdoor living space.  What I love most about my little place.  Happy Easter and here is hoping for a bright awakening :)

Shopping, Chopping, Preparing...Oh My!

Today, I took a trip to the grocery store determined to only walk out with healthy food.  I did pretty well (I couldn't pass up the chocolate Whopper Easter eggs)!!  Then I took an idea from my daughter and did all my prep work when I got home.  The concept is that once it is prepared I will eat, or pack it to take with me. So...this is what I did.  I made five mini salads, chopped up the celery, and the carrots already came in little packets!  Lucky me!  Picked out a GREAT cantaloupe and chopped it up.  What a great idea, Brit!  I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

Here's to a healthy eating start!!

  

Motivation

Begin Life Today - Day One