The Opening of Doors....and a sweet cup of tea!

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!


That's it! That's my blog post for today! Just aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! One word! Pretty much sums it all up!

Namaste!

Ok....I'm just kidding. About that being it for my post today. But so NOT kidding about the word. Is it even a word?

Anyway.....whatever aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! is......it sums up today's yoga class for me on Day 3 of my 30 Day Yoga challenge. Seriously....even just thinking about it now as I write this.....FOUR hours after the class....I can still summon up the same feelings.

I chose to go to the Restorative class today. For a few reasons. ( And by the way....I say chose....because there are so many great classes to choose from at Balance Yoga Studio, that there's really something for everyone and everyone's schedule! Check them out at http://www.balanceyoga.co/ )
Anyway.....the reasons I chose today's class are not really relevant.To me, yes. To you, probably not. But what I came out of it with...... is.

I would have to liken the class today, with the similarity of savoring a sweet cup of tea after a long , stressful, busy and cold windy day in front of a roaring fire. Yup! Like yoga in a cup!

I walked into class after a busy day and I was even running a bit late. So..... frazzled is never a great way to start class, but so today went. (See...I am really trying to live with intention and be present, and just let the present moment be what it is. It is what it is. Did that even make any sense?)
Anyway- I was really looking forward to the relaxation of the restorative class. And while many of you right about now may be voicing your inner opinions about relaxing not quite being a challenge.......( or is that my inner voice again?? Mental note #2), then you try to run from your day into a wonderfully warm dimly lit room full of mats and bolsters and blankets and eye masks waiting for you. I know....doesn't sound hard at all.
But wait.........

So the basis of restorative yoga is practice poses that allow your body to deeply relax and encourages rest, relaxation, and healing from within. When deep relaxation is achieved the body, and mind, can nurture and heal itself. Yoga props, such as bolsters, pillows, blocks and blankets are used to assist with creating this relaxing environment. The room is warm, dimly lit, and soothing music is playing in the background.
Jealous yet???

But honestly....as relaxing and AMAZING as it sounds - and it was, restorative yoga can also be quite challenging in it's own right. You see....while settling down into a resting pose, on bolsters, opening up our heart center and perhaps our hips and rib cages....we also must quiet our minds. And as any one who has ever tried to meditate knows......that ain't no cake walk! So while my body was slowly melting into the bolster and my hips and shoulders were slowly opening up in a gentle stretch, ( working out the last few days of yoga) the work was being done in my mind. ( Or was supposed to be.) Return to your breath, the instructor would say. And I would....every time. But it was in between those moments...that I was making my dinner grocery list for right after class ( Thai Noodle Soup with tofu by the way-lemme know if you want the recipe!), and I was making a mental note of paying my daughter's preschool tomorrow, and wondering if I should take down the Christmas tree tonight. ( It's still up.)
But the point is.....all this deep opening, and healing and nurturing and relaxation can't happen...unless our minds are super quiet and still. And THAT my friends.....THAT is THE challenge! But..I have to say...and I pat myself on my back a bit....that during this class...I did feel I made strides much closer to what I know the outcome should be. And for that I feel intense satisfaction and gratitude. So....thank you to me! ( We should all thank ourselves once in awhile!)
And I just know that while I opened up and made space in my rib cages, and my shoulders, and my hips today...I also know.....that I opened a door, even if just a crack, in my mind and soul. And THAT is exciting. Because by opening up that door, I am opening up space to be able to be more present.

But really, really....I felt so great and energized after that class. I honestly felt like I could stay for the Vinyasa Flow class right after! And I would have... if I didn't have 4 hungry mouths waiting for my noodle soup at home! I still feel energized! And it could be from the deep stretch and opening I experienced....or it could be from the excitement at the prospect of what's to come.
Either way!
It's my cup of tea!
Wanna cup???


~Namaste~ from my heart to your heart


Peace,
Chantelle