Back on the Mat

Yoga isn't something that I came upon naturally. I grew up in a family that leans more redneck than hippie. My family values hard work, and part of proving that you put in a hard day's work, is coming home stressed.  I followed that mantra for years until it started to take a toll on my health.

My first yoga class was part of a healthy living series that my health insurance paid for. It was a weird, surreal experience. I remember lying on the floor, listening to bells chime; the instructor whispering, "let all of the tension of the day flow out of you."

"Not gonna happen," I thought.  "I can't believe I'm supposed to waste an hour lying on the floor. I have an hour commute home after this, then dinner to make. Why did I sign up for this. I'm so bored!"

An hour later, the bells started to chime again. We wiggled our fingers and started to "bring ourselves back to our bodies." I stood up, slipped on my shoes, and headed for the car. But boy, I felt weird. What was wrong with me?At that moment it hit me, I was relaxed. I don't think I had ever felt that feeling before.

I was hooked. Unfortunately, the evening class became harder to schedule so I moved into a home practice. I was practicing pretty regularly and getting great results, although recently I've slacked off.

I fell prey to a petty lame excuse, and you are looking at him. His name is Benjamin. He's wild and sweet all rolled into one, and ever since we brought him into our home, we have had to do some serious "baby proofing."

Benjamin loves yoga. He loves walking under me when I'm in downward dog. He loves chewing on my hair. And he loves bringing me his mouse, dropping it on the mat and meowing. Pretty distracting stuff when you are trying to get your zen on.

Don't worry, I have a solution. Benjamin is going to spend some time in the bedroom while I do yoga in the living room. What creative excuse have you used to stop doing something?