When I was younger, life would often just get too much and I would have sleep for hours in the middle of the day. It was a way for me to cope with my crippling anxiety.
Fortunately, since I’ve unpacked the last of my childhood baggage (which, as many of you know, was some heavy sh*t) I don’t have to do that quite so much.
Unfortunately, now I don’t rest at all until my body forces me to. I love yoga so much and I have so many ideas I want to make reality, it’s fused the wiring on my stop button.
This, of course, is why I need yoga: as anyone who’s know me for more than ten seconds knows, I’m good at the effort but not at the letting go. I often joke with my students that I’m a good teacher because I am not naturally balanced (is anyone, really?). I understand what it’s like to gogogogo until you run yourself into the ground.
When your body says STOP!
Like Albert Camus said,
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.
So here I am, trying to listen to my body, rather than hear it and then ignore what it’s saying.
I’m resting up, and writing, in beautiful, if wet, Gippsland (at Mirador Springs in case you were wondering).
No phone reception, and more-or-less on an internet fast (so if I owe you an email, that would be why!).
Taking a break because I KNOW I need one. The fatigue told me so.
I suspect that I will always be on the highly-strung end of the spectrum. And I will probably always work a little too hard: it’s how I cope with life, plus I really do just love yoga so much, I want everyone to drink the kool-aid. Er, I mean, get the benefits of a yoga practice.
But right now, I’m going to take a nap. And then a walk in The Nature. If the rain stops for long enough, of course.
What’s your body saying today? Are you listening?
Moving from Stability: Understanding the Pelvis in Posture (Online workshop)
Myinsens
Curvy Yoga by Anna Guest-Jelley
Wow! I’ve loved hearing what all your super-wise bodies have to say. Sounds like you are all really tuned in, too. Leanne? My body ALWAYS says comfy pants. And it’s also keen on The Voice
And AhimsaMaven? Same here babe, same here.
My body has to physically tell me to stop – asana has been such a saving grace in my life along with running that it’s become ingrained for me to practice as often as possible…
Sounds beautiful, darl. I know just what you mean. Lucky for me, my autoimmune condition sends loud and clear signals to me these days, for when I need to slow down or stop. I think that sensitivity is a gift, even if it means we can’t work as hard as we used to (when we weren’t as sensitive and therefore would burn ourselves out more easily).
Enjoy your break x
I’ve *finally* started to listen; weekly chiro appointments and a 6 week intro to yoga course that starts tonight (thank you Miss Fawell!). It’s amazing how the noise and chaos created by two little toddlers muffles the cries of a tired, exhausted body. Who’d of thought it?! Enjoy your break
I can totally relate. Feeling a little overwhelmed and exhausted myself. I’m always on the go, and never give my mind a rest. God knows, it could to with a huge dose of chill! A nap sounds rather delicious right now…
Today my body said “get to yoga but be very very careful while you are there.” I’m so glad I listened instead of staying in bed with a bad back. Back is feeling so much better for it!
WOW. I sooo need to find a yoga class where I live. I often have to sleep during the day to cope with my anxiety because i’m so exhausted from constantly fighting the thoughts in my head. Oh the peace and quiet would be wonderful. Thank you for inspiring me.
My body is saying the same as yours love – slow the hell down, you know it always ends the same way! It’s also saying “Meditate” as well as “Sofa”. “Soup”. “Comfy pants” and “The Voice”. Enjoy your retreat honey. xx
“My mind thought that idea…”
Apparently, my body has shut down and can’t type.
Today my body told me to forgive, to apologize. My mind that that idea was a bunch of horseshit. My mind said, “You’re in the right. Why the f*** should you apologize?”
I decided to listen to my body. And even though the apology was left on a voice mail and I didn’t get to make full contact, I felt so good afterwards. I took a deep breath, my shoulders felt lighter. And then my body told my mind, “See that, you stupid twit?”
(Got a text response a few hours later that was full of love and appreciation.)