Day 11

I got my hair cut yesterday. I got it chopped. Like, it was down mid-back and now it’s not even past my shoulders. I went in, thinking I was getting a trim. And then, right as she was starting to cut, I was all….no, I want something different.

Tonight we had a yoga meal. What’s a yoga meal you say? It’s part of the 40Days workshop. You have to stay in your seat. Whatever you need must be on the table already or you don’t need it. No conversation while chewing. You can have conversation, just not with any food in your mouth. Swallow completely before talking. It’s more challenging than you think. Wait until your food is completely chewed and swallowed before picking up your next bite. No more than two handfuls of food on your plate. Finish those and then wait five minutes before taking any more food. Wait until food is completely digested before eating again.

I have been super wigged out and sad the last several days. I do believe it is because I am not emotionally eating. Great incentive to do a program like this right? You’ll be wigged out and sad! Hurray! But I do feel the sadness lifting. I feel things happening. I cut my hair, a sure indicator of an energy shift! I’m doing yoga everyday (resting on the 7th) and I am noticing my range of motion is greatly improving. I didn’t know I was getting all old and contracted, but I’m feeling very open in my shoulders, noticed particularly when I back the car out of our skinny driveway. Some days I can’t make it to the yoga studio but I practice at home, and shoot for at least twenty minutes. Once I get going, my body tends to ask for more. I wind up doing it for 35-60 minutes. The hardest part is starting.

In class, we start out in child’s pose, and it’s supposed to be restful but that first child’s pose is never restful for me. My hips are so tight. It hurts to “rest” that way. By the end of the class I’m limber, I can melt right into child’s pose. It feels good. I breathe.

I love the rejuvenation classes. I love the slow flow classes. I love the basic classes. I love the “hot” classes. I love having a variety of times and classes to choose from. I love seeing progress. One day I can’t do something and then the next day I can. I love coming home with damp clothes and throwing them down the laundry shoot and taking a wicked hot shower.

The program isn’t about eliminating anything per se. I thought it was going to be like that but it’s not. It’s about being conscious. Knowing yourself better. Making time for yourself. Being more present in the world. Not neglecting yourself. 

I think a lot of the sadness, and anger I’ve been feeling is about that. About the neglect. It’s sad when a woman can only muster up enough time to get her hair cut twice a year. It’s sad when she can’t find time to trim, let alone paint her toenails. It’s sad when she’s only had two overnights with her husband in ten years. When she can’t take a shower without a kid coming in to talk her ear off through the curtain. It’s sad when she can’t have an uninterrupted meal or cup of coffee. And sometimes it makes me mad. And then I resist my feelings and pile on the guilt for feeling angry and sad. I have so much! How dare I feel sad or mad.

No clear solutions on how to alleviate my overhwhelm. For now I’ll just keep hitting the mat and see where it takes me.

Namaste. LOL.

 

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10 Responses to Day 11

  1. Oh, my god. That video was perfect — and hilarious. I’m embarrassed to say that it’s EXACTLY like that at most yoga studios here in Los Angeles. Scary, actually. But I do love yoga, and in all seriousness your post today was very inspirational. I nodded throughout — and admire you for following through.

    Namaste.

  2. Me says:

    I think I need to take another yoga class some time soon. Thanks for the reminder.

  3. Kerry says:

    That video was HILARIOUS! I’m so glad this class has given you so much opportunity to live mindfully.

  4. kario says:

    I LOVE THIS! I love that you’re doing it so fully and acknowledging the feelings it’s bringing up for you. And I love the notion of a yoga meal. We are so doing that once a week from now on!

    And, ahem, pictures of the haircut, please…

  5. -e- says:

    I find this post SO inspiring. Just the step of awareness is a huge one, the one that breaks the cycle and shifts your goals. I so share the sense of exhaustion. It is powerful to realize just HOW little you do for yourself, and makes it easier to pause and shift.

    Keep up your mindfullness…

  6. Meg says:

    I’ve been trying to get back to the mat. I know how good it feels….it’s just making the time; the space. If you can do it, surely I can do it. Thanks for the reminder. We all need them from time to time.

    Hey, Yoga girl…wanna grab a bite?

  7. Dee Ready says:

    Dear Michelle,
    Your posting was, as others have said, inspirational. Inspiring. I know I need to do something like this, but I wonder if yoga would work for me because of the Meniere’s.
    Bending over is always tricky with that disease. Well, I’ll go on line and see if there’s anything about that. Thanks for sharing all that’s happening. You are on an exciting and yet quiet and reflective journey. Living in the moment. Living consciously. That’s so important. And so easy to forget to do.

    Peace.

  8. amber says:

    ” I have so much! How dare I feel sad or mad.”–

    yep. beeeeeeen heeeerrreee.

    🙂

  9. Courtney says:

    My stepsis has done the 40-day thing multiple times!

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