I went to yoga class yesterday, to try to smooth out all the tensions that developed while I was away from my regular routine. Due to scheduling issues, I ended up in an ashtanga yoga class–way more intense than the classes I usually attend, and full of unfamiliar asanas (aka headstands and other upside-down poses). Shortly after the class began, I was feeling somewhat like that creature in Kafka’s Metamorphosis–out of sorts and inept. "I’m so not good at this," I told myself, as I toppled over for the umpteenth time.
God help me, I so wanted to quit! But the teacher kept inviting me to reposition myself and try again. And then, a voice spoke from somewhere deep inside, repeating of my favorite mantras, "Be the neutral witness, discerning without judgment." I won’t say I transformed immediately. I won’t say the poses came easily. But as I swatted away the inner chatter, I felt the knots begin to untangle, and my body eventually elevated itself into the correct position. Ong namo, guru dev namo. I bow to the teacher within.
I’m thinking about the lessons I learned in that yoga class and how I can apply them to my writing. After several weeks away from the keyboard, I’m a distance from my manuscript. I’m struggling to reacquaint myself with my writer’s voice, to find my place again on the page. I’m knotted up especially about how to approach the modern-day Nancy Drew segments–how shall I weave them into the past-tense story? Before I can move forward, I need to recenter myself. So I’m encouraging myself to breathe in awareness and acceptance of where I am now, releasing all judgments so I can relax and play.
Namaste, my friends. Here’s to another day of stretching toward the Light. xo
You sound like you’re on the perfect path. I know you’ll get to where you need to go.
Acceptance. That may be harder than twisting yourself into the hardest poses. But you’ll do it.
Thanks, Jeannine. I feel confident, and then…not. The Art of Detachment is very much a work in progress. Did I mention yet that it’s not easy? 😉
::stretches with you::
It is awesome that you didn’t give up!
::snugs::
glad to see you post!
It’s unusual that I didn’t give up. I’m a scaredy-cat about standing on my shoulders/head! lol
LOVED the post of you, your hubby and chubby baby. What an adorable, loveable family unit you are. xo
Thank you! XOXOXOX!
Namaste
You’d like the Aqua Yoga class I take on Mondays & Wednesdays =)
The water is a great resister/balancer.
and your story will come when you are present just close your eyes and take deep cleansing breaths and you’ll be ready [& deep down you -know- this]
I like that — I bow to the teacher within–
–LiZ
Re: Namaste
I’m not a fan of water sports, but I think I’d enjoy aqua yoga. Especially if I could take a class with you!!!
Your encouraging words breathe energy into my head and heart. Thank you so much for giving me something to think about. xo
Maybe you would like to try Texas yoga. You get on a brahma bull and hold on for 8 seconds. Make the ride and fall to the ground. After they pick you up, you will go to the bathtub and enjoy soaking your battered black and blue body. You can ask for one of those fancy coffees but they will give you a cup of cowboy camp fire coffee. That is some real strong coffee made to jump start anything.
Now go get that cup of coffee and sit down in a nice lawn chair and relax. The writing will come.
Great post! I once took a yoga class with my husband. We thought it was going to be easy. Boy were we wrong. After we were able to walk again, about a week later, we bought a video tape and did a milder version at home. We really enjoyed it.
p.s.
Love that kitty!
I was surprised, too, by how vigorous and challenging yoga really is. Do you still do your video? I’ve toyed with the idea of buying one, but I really enjoy getting away from home, as well as the personalized instruction.
Sorry to say we haven’t been doing the yoga anymore, but we go to the gym and work out on cardio and weight equip.
I was surprised, too, by how vigorous and challenging yoga really is. Do you still do your video? I’ve toyed with the idea of buying one, but I really enjoy getting away from home, as well as the personalized instruction.
Great post! I once took a yoga class with my husband. We thought it was going to be easy. Boy were we wrong. After we were able to walk again, about a week later, we bought a video tape and did a milder version at home. We really enjoyed it.
p.s.
Love that kitty!
Ha–too funny! Somehow I have a hard time reconciling rodeo ridin’ with yoga.
Coffee and relaxation out in nature…for sure, that’s a wonderful way to let go of the tension. I’ll invite Inspiration to my backyard bistro table, encourage her to stay for a long visit.
“I bow to the teacher within” and I’d add “and without.”
You are definitely on the right path, Melodye. Walk outside with your morning cup of vanilla hazelnut coffee, stand barefoot on grass that’s sprinkled with morning dew, close your eyes and breathe in the sounds and scents of nature. Your story will come when it is time and in the meantime, let nature connect you to the present.
Yes, oh yes, I honor the teachers without. Nature has such a way of grounding me, and I appreciate the gentle reminder.
Ever since I was 10 years old, I have always trusted nature to ground me when my life was in turmoil… and in all those years she has never failed me.
“I bow to the teacher within” and I’d add “and without.”
You are definitely on the right path, Melodye. Walk outside with your morning cup of vanilla hazelnut coffee, stand barefoot on grass that’s sprinkled with morning dew, close your eyes and breathe in the sounds and scents of nature. Your story will come when it is time and in the meantime, let nature connect you to the present.
very nice!
Thanks so much! I love reading your posts–lots of insights, enveloped in a great sense of humor.
very nice!
Headstands and upside down poses, oh my!
Sounds like you’re centering back into your writing groove beautifully, Melodye. Sometimes allowing the dissonance to jangle a bit actually helps us find harmony. It’s when we try to control things to go either way that knots us up.
I know, right? There must be an important lesson from the universe in all of this, because when I went to one of my usual yoga classs last night, the substitute teacher had us doing inverted poses, too.
And oh boy, are you spot-on about dissonance and harmony, control and release! Leave it to a musician… 🙂
Headstands and upside down poses, oh my!
Sounds like you’re centering back into your writing groove beautifully, Melodye. Sometimes allowing the dissonance to jangle a bit actually helps us find harmony. It’s when we try to control things to go either way that knots us up.
Don’t we learn lessons in some of the strangest places and circumstances? Big kudos for swatting away those pesky inner-voices, Melodye!
“Don’t we learn lessons in some of the strangest places and circumstances?”
We sure do, providing that we’re open to receiving them. 🙂
Indeed.
Don’t we learn lessons in some of the strangest places and circumstances? Big kudos for swatting away those pesky inner-voices, Melodye!
Sounds like your writer’s voice is right there waiting for you at the keyboard. Butt + chair = pages.
Here’s to good luck in sitting down at the keyboard and having the courage to press keys.
So well put, and thanks for the gentle nudge.
Hope to see you at PFL sometime soon. We’re doing a First Two Pages exercise tonight, if you’re interested…
Despite the frustration of the class you sound peaceful here and I think that must have to do with knowing you can do what you have to do next, that you are writer enough for the challenge.
I love the way nothing in your life escapes your observation.
I have the tools, I think…I just need to figure out how to use them to best advantage. Perhaps that’s true for most of us who are puzzling our way through challenging passages?
And…Susan!! What you’ve said in that last sentence speaks to the very essence of who I was and am, and I’m blown away. Thank you for observing and connecting with that part of me.
I have the tools, I think…I just need to figure out how to use them to best advantage. Perhaps that’s true for most of us who are puzzling our way through challenging passages?
And…Susan!! What you’ve said in that last sentence speaks to the very essence of who I was and am, and I’m blown away. Thank you for observing and connecting with that part of me.
Despite the frustration of the class you sound peaceful here and I think that must have to do with knowing you can do what you have to do next, that you are writer enough for the challenge.
I love the way nothing in your life escapes your observation.