Just breathe

“Relaxation is the process of observing your tension”

When you’re ready for the week to be over and it’s only Monday....😫🙄😳🤦‍♀️

You Breathe.

Sometimes when it feels like the universe is f-ing with you, you have no choice but to surrender.

Surrender is actually an active position. It’s not passive. It’s a conscious choosing to take Control by letting go.

I’ve had a few days that have truly tested me. Everything and everyone seem to be at odds with me, or even out to get me. That’s just how it feels.

I found myself seething with anger today and ready to rip someone’s head off! 😡🌪

That behavior is typically frowned upon. So I figured I’d better do the next best thing—get on my yoga mat! 🧘‍♀️

I threw dinner on the stove, moved the couch, rolled out the mat, and got quiet.

I could have called a friend and “vented.” I could have eaten a bar (or two) of chocolate (damn you Halloween candy) I could have poured a glass of wine. I could have immersed myself in laundry as distraction.

But avoidance has been my go-to for too long. It’s time to face the music. Or the noise, as it seems. Time to lean in to my stress and distress.

Yoga has helped me tremendously with this practice of observing, surrendering, leaning in, and connecting with my breath.

My body asked for this reclined cobblers pose with the support of blocks under my knees to take the pressure off of my hips.

I listened. I surrendered. I observed.

Supta Baddha Konasana is a restorative pose that relaxes the mind, body, and spirit. In particular, benefits include: * Lowered blood pressure * A decreased heart rate * Decreased muscle tension * Reduced occurrence of headaches * Relief from fatigue and insomnia * Reduced nervous tension and stress * Relief from anxiety and panic attacks * relaxation of the abdominal muscles, which is soothing for intestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and for issues such as PMS * improving blood flow to the pelvis. * It opens the chest, allowing for deeper breathing and improved oxygen flow — this is particularly beneficial for those with asthma and heart disease. * positively stimulates the digestive organs, and improves digestion and elimination.

I stayed here long enough for my anger, tension, and distress to have a space to flow through me and out of me. And got up just in time for dinner to be ready to serve. Win-win.

My son had been in the room and I didn’t realize it. He snapped a pic and said “mommy you looked so comfortable! Weird, but comfortable!”

Well, I’m cool with being weird! And apparently he is, too, because right after I got up he laid on the mat in the exact same position!

Yoga for the win! 🧘‍♀️❤️🙏🏻