Namaste

I just took part in a wonderful restorative yoga class.

While at Healing Tree, I am not sure I ever ventured into a restorative class, thinking it would be to slow, or that since I didn't have any physical injuries at the time, it might not be that helpful.

But I can truly say now that there is a sense of bodily and emotional peace, lightness and strength that has come from my restorative practice.

Trust me, it's also difficult to slow the body and mind in these ways for me. For an hour-plus class of slow movements and rythyms, I tend to talk to myself, plan the rest of my day, and watch the weather outside. I know this is not true meditation in the sense that my mind is still, but as my thoughts run through it, at least my mind is calm. At least I find spontaneous smiles on my face and abrupt awareness of how appreciative I am for a simple stretch or change that comes over my muscles, joints and skin.

It can be a challenge to practice yoga, or to slow down at all, when my life feels the most busy, perhaps even the most out of control. But it is so centering, so encouraging, and so good for my blossoming sense of discipline to committ to a practice that only does me good.