In my creative writing program, I have one professor who is very fond of free writing exercises, which basically teaches us to write without thinking too much. Just write what comes to you and then hone it later and turn it into something special. At first, I found this kind of writing to be annoying, frustrating and too much damn work, since it’s all meant to be done by hand. But the more I do it, the more liberating it feels and the more relaxed I come out the other side. In a way, the free writing has become a form of meditation for me and I feel so much more focused and calm afterwards.
I’ve also mentioned in a few posts that it’s easy to feel like we don’t have time for ourselves and our yoga practices, considering how busy life gets. Sometimes, I almost turn away from my journal and my yoga practice when life feels too hectic, even though I know that these busy moments are when I need both outlets the most. So I decided to do a free write about why it is that I love yoga, what it gives to me and what I give to it. A few days later, after I sorted through the three pages of writing, I came up with three major things that my yoga practice gives me:
1. Solace. There is a peace that comes from internal reflection. There is no other way to get it.
2. Focus. I don’t always come out of yoga and meditation more relaxed, simply because this is the way life is. But I always return to the present more focused and centred.
3. Acceptance. I find acceptance of myself, my limitations, my capabilities and my strengths. Remembering these things about yourself is vital to confidence and moving forward in your practice.
So if you’re finding that you’re too busy to really embrace your practice and enjoy it for all that it gives to you, take ten minutes to write, without thinking, about what your yoga practice means to you. Write about all the good, the bad and the ugly, and then a day or two later, return to that writing and take out the main points that remind you why your yoga practice is so important to your life. I guarantee that it will make finding time to roll out the mat a little bit easier and a whole lot more satisfying.
Kelly
