1. Yesterday was my third time taking the jivamukti yoga class. I find this class both extremely challenging physically and incredibly mentally freeing at the same time. My arms were trembling by the end of the class from the poses. I’m mildly sore at this point, but thinking that more will hit soon. But what really got to me yesterday was the chanting and the talking by our instructor. We chanted “Hare Krishna” (more than that, but I don’t remember all the words) at the beginning and then later while we were doing a particularly intense pose the chant was playing loudly in the background. She encouraged us to chant loudly/yell/really get into it while we held the pose. I surprised myself by totally getting into that. And, surprise, it did help me hold a pose I didn’t think I could do. Wonder if I’ll be chanting that loudly as I get to hard spots in my long runs LOL.
2. I used to have wicked insomnia back when I had a full-time job. I tend to internalize the stress from work and it keeps my mind racing at night. I haven’t had it very often in the last few years. Last night, I had full-on insomnia. I just could.not.stop.my.mind. I hate nights like that. It was one of those nights when I probably would have been better served to have just gotten out of bed. Instead, I flipped and flopped all night long and then struggled to get out of bed when the alarm went off. Why does the sound of my alarm trigger an exhaustion that I wasn’t feeling prior to it going off?
3. Jivamukti means “Liberation while Living”. There’s a lot of spiritual talk during the class and we are frequently told to open ourselves up, to take chances, to offer our best to the world. Two things the instructor said yesterday really stuck in my head. One she’d said before (about some of the challenging balance poses) “So what if you fall? At least you tried and you can get up and try again.” I’ve been embracing that concept since the first class and trying to be more willing to say yes to new things.
Yesterday, though, she said something that really resonated with me. “You don’t have to wait for your life to be perfect to be enjoy it. You can be happy now.” This really struck me because I spend a lot of time “waiting”, a lot of time thinking about things that will be better in the future. When I finish paying off my car… When I get my mileage where I want it to be… When I get all the paperwork filed… When the boys are a older…
There’s always going to be something. There will always be more things I need to get done. There will always be more wants than there is money.
I need to embrace the now. I need to embrace the comfortable 5.5 mile run and not beat myself up that it’s not longer. I need to appreciate the good in my children and my husband and my life. Because otherwise, I have a feeling that insomnia is going to be my new BFF.
Enjoy every minute of today and now! Tomorrow is not promised … so don't let things stress you out so much (I know this is easier said than done). Everything has a way of working itself out for the best. http://www.dashingdiva.net
Fantastic way to live life, although I am sure it is easier said than done. Good for you for getting out of your comfort zone and taking this class. I hate insomnia! I don't get it often these days either (and did when working F/T also!)but when I do, it's just brutal the next day. Not going to embrace it! ; )
May be the best advice I've heard in a long time – "You don't have to wait for your life to be perfect to enjoy it". Nice.
Embracing "now" and not always trying to rush through time to the next thing is something I am working on also. I sometimes feel like I am always anxious for the weekend – for next month – for next year. I don't want to wish my life away!Sounds like a great class for the body/mind!
I love the concept of not waiting for everything to be perfect! I've definitely been guilty of this but I'm working on it!I tagged you for 11 things 🙂
Live for today… I focus on that, I have no clue what tomorrow holds so I'm all about this moment!
Love this post! I try to live in the now as much as possible – my Dad passed away last May, and it has definitely changed the way I see things. I try really hard to truly experience things, because I've learned that most things are fleeting, and I want to hold on to and cherish them as much as possible. That being said, I try not to dwell too much on the past or on the future. I love the saying, "Don't waste today worrying about tomorrow."
Have you ever tried keeping track of the insomnia and seeing if it correlates with anything beyond stress? Sometimes factors like hormones can be a BIG part of why some people experience bouts of insomnia…but only sometimes.As for mantras, I like the following two, which I'm positive I repeated often on the blog:"You're not in competition with anyone, not even yourself.""Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
Aah insomnia – she and I have spent some long nights together. I like your instructor's way of thinking. So what if you fall. Not delaying happiness. I think we can all take something from your yoga class.
Love the idea of that yoga class. I like to sing out loud when running gets hard. Sometimes I think it's wasting energy, but maybe it's building it??I usually can't sleep most nights, but the week after a marathon, I sleep like a baby. And go to bed early (totally unlike my normal schedule). I'm in that mode this week. Have you tried something like melatonin?
Awesome post. Instead of insomnia, I eat. You (and the instructor) are right about enjoying the "now." It's going to be a mindshift, but one I should start exploring.
I really enjoyed this post. I needed the reminder to live in the now and not worry so much about things I can't control.