By: PJ
[This is first of a series of posts about self-care and life perspective]
Although self care is important to me, it seems to be one of the first things to get pushed aside. Parenting, career, housework, grocery shopping, and cooking seem to take precedence. Juggling these responsibilities while working a stressful and complex job had created a lot of unnecessary stress.
During this trip, I want to focus more on self care. I even mention it in my MISSION STATEMENT! Stress management is a part of self care, and two of my favorite stress management techniques are exercising and doing yoga. These give me the opportunity to think about things, clear my mind, and find my “flow”. Think of flow as getting in the groove. For me, it is a way to relax my mind and process information/situations.
Yoga is an important factor not only for my stress relief, but for inner peace and connection to the universe. At times, it can also provide emotional release (This was extremely important when I had a health scare a few years ago and was faced with my own mortality). Yoga allows me to be “in the moment” and feel grateful for all that I have and all the people in my life.
I love to practice yoga outside as nature is also important to me, so combining both is always a joy. In 2017, I had the opportunity to practice outside at the ARISE Music Festival with several hundred people. Shiva Rea led the practice and took our attention outside ourselves in the cosily spaced group so as to not be self conscious. This will always be a memorable moment for me.
Recently, while in Antecortes, WA, I had another memorable yoga moment. When I came around the corner of the house we were staying in and saw the view, it took my breath away. They had a gorgeous deck, a quiet flower garden, and a stunning view of the bay and mountains. Upon seeing this, I couldn’t wait to do yoga there.
The next morning we had decided to just stay put and not drive anywhere, so I seized the opportunity. The others were settled and doing their thing, and I had the moment to myself. It was the perfect temperature. The birds were singing, there were no clouds in the sky, and I had an unobstructed view. This scenery and the feeling of the sun on my face while practicing yoga allowed me to slow down and enjoy just being there, then. This sparked mega-joy and rejuvenation.
This solitary experience at Anacortes was just what I needed, at exactly the right time, given the hectic first few weeks of our year of travel.
My first yoga practice of the trip was phenomenal, and I am grateful. Another memorable yoga moment for the books.
