“You can
always take child’s pose.”
I have heard
those words spoken so many times in yoga class but have never heeded. I always
think of yoga as part of my fitness regimen and, although it goes against so
much of the non-competitive yoga credo, I always seem to push through my
(physical and emotional) pain.
This past
Saturday, I found myself in my beloved Winston-Salem with my “wild child.” A
new studio in my former neighborhood was offering community yoga and kirtan.
Sullivan has been to yoga many times and has a strong interest in music (instruments
especially) so we opted to go. I was a little concerned, however, because he
just started a new daycare program in advance of kindergarten starting next
month. He is busier during the day and has no nap. Add a lot of other issues
brewing in our family and you have one discombobulated five-year-old.
Sullivan
started out well, but I told him he could go sit on the bench outside if he got
tired. About halfway through the class he whispered that he was done. Instead
of leaving, I suggested he lie his head down on the blanket and rest. He very
quietly and respectfully complied. Side note – love that kid!
At the end
of class, the teacher commended Sullivan. At first, I was apologetic. After
all, he petered out quickly. But he didn’t interrupt anyone’s practice and was
quite social with some friends who had also attended. We left before the kirtan
got fully underway and I tried my hardest to stay in my zen state.
It wasn’t
until the next day, however, that I learned quite a lesson from this yoga
class. Sullivan – of his own accord -- proceeded to show his dad how to sit in
lotus. He then did a beautiful down dog and standing split. What I didn’t
realize the day prior is that Sullivan had not taken a long, early savasana.
Instead, he had absorbed most everything. He was not only reverent but also observant.
He took it all in and applied it later…when he needed it.
I then understood
what my yoga teachers have been trying to tell me. I don’t always need to push
myself to the limit. Sometimes being contemplative and strategic is a much
better option. So today, I am taking a break. I went to the beach, spent time
enjoying things I love, read, and rested. I hope this makes me rejuvenated for
all the things I need to accomplish. I don’t need to be on the go all the time,
as that may not help me be successful in the long run.
Sometimes I just
need to take child’s pose. Namaste y'all.
