For Christmas, my sister in law and her family bought me a new yoga mat. I had been lusting after Jade Yoga’s Harmony Mat in red wine. How can you not fall in love with a red wine colored yoga mat?
I’ve only used my new mat when I go to the studio. I don’t want to inadvertently stretch it out on my carpet or somehow ruin it unintentionally. This afternoon after work I was craving yoga. Yoga on my red wine mat.
I decided I was going to practice in my dining room, a space where I hadn’t before. It’s laid in a beautiful Brazilian cherry floor looking out into our front yard through white bay windows. All I needed to do was to move my kitchen table out of the way. I easily did just that.
Shortly after, Ted walked in to see what I was doing and he said, “Dang! You’re good at creating space.” I smiled as he walked away in hopes that I’d find a practice to do just that. It’s odd how life falls into place some days more than others. I logged into Gaia and staring back at me was a 45-minute practice with Clara Robert-Oss, Exploring the Elements: Creating Space.
It hasn’t been on my heart to blog a lot these last few weeks. A week ago, Ted’s father passed away. I found myself longing to be alone with my husband and his family. Gentle souls who know so much grief; and happiness.
I cut my savasana short tonight. I rolled onto my side, sat up and bowed, thanking myself to take some much needed time on my mat. I picked up my laptop and wondered how it is that we cultivate space for ourselves, and our needs in a world that can be so demanding. I keep learning how important this time is. Maybe, the more we love ourselves, the more love we have to offer to others.
Each night this week before I’ve fallen asleep, I’ve found myself thanking God for being alive. I think it stems from all of the death that has surrounded our family over the last few years. It makes me want to live an intentional life, and intentional living isn’t always easy.
May I continue to create space, in my heart and in my life, to shred my habits that are so easy to hold on to and live a fuller, more intentional life.
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” -Brene Brown
Thinking of Sam 