I’m reading a fascinating book right now entitled “Hell Bent.” It’s a memoir about competitive yoga, which is a bit of an oxymoron, since yoga’s not yoga if it’s competitive. Having said that, it’s an interesting read about this bizarre world where yogis twist themselves like acrobats in Cirque du Soleil.
I say this as a way of procrastinating…what this post is really about is the fact that I haven’t done yoga in three months. And I feel really shitty about it.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I have attended maybe 5 or 6 classes in the past 3 months. But you get the picture. I’ve fallen off the wagon and I can’t seem to get back on.q
It started innocently enough– I got sick, a really bad cold– and I clung to it for several weeks. Then my back pain, which I’ve dealt with for almost half my life– got far worse. Nothing in particular caused this worsening. But I used the pain as an excuse to stop.
Herein lies the rub– when you have chronic pain, the worst thing you can do is use it as an excuse to quit healthy behavior. Because at the end of the day, you’ll still be in pain. But you’ll be less healthy.
My yoga mat is lying in its brightly flowered bag on the floor of my garage. It’s dirty and dusty. My yoga clothes are at the back of a drawer in my closet. I’ve no idea where my gym ID card is. It’s been pouring for days, and I don’t want to leave my house.
But as soon as I publish this, I’m getting up and going.
I have not exercised in a few months, but am getting back on the wagon, too. Sickness, the holidays and my kids’ sickness have laid a whammy in our schedule.
However, I am not beating myself up over it. It was nice to the take the break and when I put my workout clothes on yesterday, i was excited to get back in the game. EXCITED. So, taking a break is a nice thing because it makes you appreciate the activity.
Looking forward to hearing your posts about your yoga routine.
I hope I CAN get back into the routine! I just have to remember that I’m happier when I’m working out regularly than when I’m not. Enjoy your new workout regime, Kelli!
I hope you went, my dear, seriously! Yesterday evening I had my first yoga class since early December and it felt marvelous!! Today I signed up for 14 weeks of “core focused” yoga. I had been at this studio last year once, for the only paid yoga class I’d ever had and now I’ve paid for 14 more and I’m so thrilled! I can’t wait to be able to attend three yoga classes per week. I’ll be here cheering you on as you go back to being fit and healthier!
Yea, Lilian. I really hope I keep it up. I’ve missed it.
I hope you made it–sounds like you did! My beloved yoga teacher came one night to class moving verrry slowly and gingerly–she had hurt her back but her sub couldn’t come. By the end of the class, she was walking like a different person. It was a lesson I’ll never forget. She was strict about little except listening to your body, and so I know she didn’t push it but it did give her great relief. Hoping you find the same, and soon!