Restorative Yoga and Support

Several weeks before Emily's due date, I found myself hospitalized after what I thought would be a routine Dr's appointment. Late that night I found myself wide-awake and unable to get comfortable. A nurse helped me change positions and basically used lots of extra pillows to surround me with support. I don't remember exactly what position I was in, but I will never forget that feeling. I still remember being able to lean into that support, relaxing and finally falling asleep. A few hours later a healthy Emily arrived!

Emily is almost 18-years old .... I haven't thought of that night in quite awhile but I was reminded of it yesterday while attending a Restorative Yoga workshop.  If you haven't tried restorative yoga you really should - it is amazing. Gratitude-filled shout-outs to Tara, a great teacher and Sage Yoga a great new studio. The poses are very relaxing and restful - for body and mind, hold times are longer, and blocks, blankets, bolsters, etc. are used to provide support. 

(Picture Credit)

 As I entered each pose and turned to my breath, I found myself opening to the sensation of being fully supported. Throughout the remainder of the day, as I recalled this sensation of being supported, I thought of times in my life when I have felt supported and times when I have not. I also thought of times when I needed support but didn't know how to ask for it or struggled to lean into support that was offered. 

I am getting better

at asking for

and

 leaning
into

support.

I ended the day with profound gratitude for my yoga practice, my yoga teachers and for the Aarons and Hurs in my life who have lifted up my hands, strengthened my feeble knees and propped me up when I was too tired to stand. (Exodus 17:12, D&C 81:5)

I am grateful for them.

I hope they know who they are.

I want to be like them. 

Have You Been Grounded Lately?!

I don't ever remember being grounded as a kid - I'm not sure if that indicates a memory issue or if it is just further evidence of the fact that I was (as I have always maintained) a model child. The reality is probably that my parents realized that grounding was more of a punishment for them than it was for any of us :)

I have been thinking a lot lately about the notion of being grounded.

You can

gain ground

cover ground

break ground.

You can ground

 a pilot

a plane

a disobedient child.

You can

hit a ground ball or ground out

use ground forces or engage in a ground attack.

There are

picnic grounds

proving grounds

legal grounds.

I have spent a great deal of time over the past two years

learning how to become grounded.

I learned it at the gym

I learned it on the yoga mat

I learned it in a therapist's office

I learned it during dark days and long nights

I learned it in the bright light of rediscovered
choice
connections
and
courage.

I now know what it feels like to be grounded.

I also know what it feels like when I am not grounded.

Sometimes I am grounded.

Sometimes I am not

and so I continually practice

but more than practicing

it has become a practice

it is how I choose to live my life

on the days when it is easy 

and more importantly

on the days when it is hard.

what grounds you?