yoga

It has been awhile since I have shown up on the Yoga Mat
Running has consumed my time
And I haven't carved out any space for anything else
But tonight I pushed myself to slow down
To show up and release what no longer served me

My shoulders were heavy
My body tight
My mind racing
Some of the poses we held felt like an eternity
I struggled to be in the moment and concentrate on my breathing

With each pose and reach I felt my body lengthening
The stress in my shoulders released
My mind was clearing
I felt taller, and stronger 
Even if my legs were shaking

I surrendered to the moment and I let go
I saw things from a different perspective
I regained confidence in myself
And reaffirmed what I already know, that I can do what I put my mind to
As long as I show up

What I love about Yoga is your ability to go at your own pace
To listen to your body and do what it needs in that moment
There is no judgment from others
Just a silent knowing that we are each doing what we need
And we got through the hard part, we all showed up

I leaned into the discomfort
I breathed in deeply and stood on the edge
I pushed through and practiced
Time and time again
I made it through and I am better for it

I can feel in my body that I need this
The stretching, the quiet, the releasing
I carry around so much with me each day
It is a beautiful thing to slow down 
To surrender and to listen