Photo from Om Paramapoonya (http://om-paramapoonya.hubpages.com/hub/morning_yoga#)
I’ve always been a “morning person,” but lately I’ve found myself waking up feeling a subtle anxiety and internal pressure, my mind immediately going to the list of things I have to do today, the pile of papers on my desk, the bathtub that needs to be scrubbed, the work-projects I never seem to finish. I think I’ve just been gone from home too much the past couple of weeks, with our vacation to the in-laws’ sandwiched in between long work days. I’m an introvert, and when I have too many days in a row away from home, or in big groups of people, without enough solitude, I feel a little crazy.
Yesterday’s Intermediate Flow class at the studio was great—but I realized afterward that what I’m needing even more than asana practice is “inward time,” more meditation.
So, this morning I did the Youtube video that Amy posted yesterday, “Yoga in Bed Morning Stretch.” I just loaded the video on my iPhone and propped it up on a pillow beside me in bed. It felt so nurturing to give myself this 10 minute “buffer” between sleep and starting my day’s activities. Easy supine stretches, gentle twists, seated forward bends—nothing fancy, but it really helped with the low back stiffness I’ve been having.
At the end of the video I decided to sit and meditate for a few minutes. It was exactly what I needed to quiet the litany of my mind’s “To Do List.” My goal for this final week of the 30-Day Challenge will be to spend quiet time in meditation every morning. I’m hoping that I’ll find time for a longer meditation session some days, but I’m sure I can do at least 10 minutes before I leave my bed on those mornings when I have to get up and out of the house early.
Namaste, Yoga-Friends!
Joanna
