Resonating Moments: Lessons From the Week
Welcome to "Resonating Moments." Each week I share one lesson from parenting, teaching yoga, practicing on my mat, and simply living life. I like to think of this blog feature as a conversation about the stuff of life. My intentions for sharing these lessons are twofold: (1) to make a personal effort to record moments that resonate or ring true (Chime) with who I am at my core, and (2) to offer what I have learned in hopes that you can relate and share about your experiences in the comments below.
Here's what I learned this week:
Sure, I am efficient. I can multitask with the best of them, but am I present?
Lesson from life: Being an efficient multitasker is a blessing and a curse. I have to admit, there are days I am impressed with how much I can accomplish. In reality, those are usually the days that I go to bed too late because I chose to keep working instead of resting. What does work look like exactly? In any given moment, it can be a combination of writing emails, editing an article, posting on social media, and sending a text—all of these tasks happening concurrently. Or driving to pick up the girls from school and answering emails at traffic lights while talking on the phone for a work call. Can you relate? Sure, I am efficient. I can multitask with the best of them, but am I present? How does all this multitasking get in the way of self-care? These are the questions I am reflecting on now. What's multitasking look like for you? Do you feel present or distracted? Let's talk real about this one. Share in the comments.
Lesson from teaching yoga: Since redefining my teaching goals in a post earlier this month, I've noticed several subtle but significant shifts in my teaching, one of them being that, the more simple I keep my language and cues, the stronger my words and overall class are. I observed that, the more concise my words, the more fluid the flow. If we want our students to think as little as possible when they are on their mats, then the less noise we throw at them, the more they can drop into the experience of their breath and bodies. Teachers, do you pay attention to the words you use and the amount of space you fill with your words? Do you teach from memorization, saying the same thing all the time, or are you essential with your words? If this topic is of interest to you, check out Brad Young's guest post Drop Your Script, Create Connection.
Lesson from my mat: This week I have been paying attention to the length of my inhales and exhales. In doing so, I learned that my inhales tend to be shallow, and sometimes I skip right over them and take several long exhales, especially in twisting poses. Paying attention to my breath in this way has caused me to think about how balance in our breathing is just as important as balance in our bodies and lives. I wonder what the imbalance in my breathing is showing me about imbalances in my life? Hmmmm. I will be reflecting on this for some time, I imagine. Do you notice if you favor inhaling or exhaling when you practice? What's your sense of how your breathing reflects your state of mind or health? Please share in the comments.
Lesson from parenting: Lately, my girls have been really blowing me away. They both have a new maturity about them, from their mannerisms to their vocabulary and how they use their imaginations. I learned this week that, the more I consciously choose to drop stress and worry, the more open I am to the amazing attributes of my children. When I can take a breath, shift my focus from one stressor or another, get out of my head, and stand aware in the present moment, I enjoy my life so much more, especially my life with my children. How do you put stress aside? Please share in the comments.
Perhaps some or all of these lessons resonated with you as well. If so, I’d enjoy learning how! Please share in the comments below.
Other Tidbits of Inspiration and Information
On Self-Care:
Do you want to know how to make time for yourself? Maybe you want to know how yoga poses can help you manage your mommy stress. If these are hot button topics for you, I invite you to read about Keya Williams, founder of Nourished Motherhood, in this month's YogaView. Keya shares how yoga keeps her honest, calm, and helps her navigate the unpredictability of daily life.
On Learning From Failure:
"If you’ve ever tried for something and fallen short, you know the sting of failure. But chances are, after coming out intact on the other side, you also know that crashing doesn’t say anything about who you are as a person. It is simply a step on the journey toward success, and yoga has a unique way of reminding us of this." Does this sentiment inspire or resonate with you? If so, check out Erin Motz's article 5 Lessons Yoga Taught Me About Failure. It's a fun read, and I think everyone can relate to one aspect or another of Erin's story.
On Being "Too Nice":
This is one of my favorite reads of the year. Cayla Schafer's article, For Everyone Who Has Been Called "Too Nice," is brave, poignant, and exposes what's really behind "nice." She writes, "Maybe the people who are the nicest, most positive and uplifting are the ones who have gone through the most upheaval. They know how to offer genuine words of encouragement because they have had to become their own biggest cheerleaders." Pretty true, right? If you have been called "too nice" or have told others they are "too nice," this read is quite insightful about the power of those two words.
Do you have any good reads you would like to share? Leave them in the comments!
WORKSHOP ALERT! Save the date!
Yoga in an Overwhelming World: Exploring Sukha and Sthira
November 15, 2015; 3-5 PM; Shine Yoga, Perkasie, PA; $40
I invite you to join me and my dear friend and fantastic yoga teacher, Colleen Clemens, for this special workshop! Learn more and register here.