How do you take care of yourself in your everyday life?
Hi! My name is Eva, and I have been teaching restorative, vinyasa and yin yoga at this wonderful studio for six years. As a restorative teacher, I teach people how to relax. There is a saying: teachers teach what they need to learn.
A much-needed rest
I recently came back from a three-month break from teaching to attend to some medical issues and take a much-needed rest. I had been getting wound up by my busy teaching schedule and had felt for months that I needed a break. At the same time, mixed feelings of guilt kept me from taking “me time.” I finally decided to do it, and I’m glad I did.
The break was a beautiful and chaotic time of reflection. Because of the type of surgery I had, I could only stay in one position for four weeks, and I needed a lot of help from my family to get up and move around. For someone who is very physically active, I felt truly vulnerable for the first time in my life. It was a humbling experience, because I felt helpless to do anything. I developed a newfound respect for this body that has served me well and has helped me serve others too.
Alone with my thoughts
It was also at this time that I had to deal with my mind, because my body had to remain still to heal. I had no choice but to be present with my thoughts, whether I wanted to or not. They both entertained and annoyed me.
Then something unexpected happened as the days and weeks crawled by. After a long time, I began to relax with my thoughts. They were still there, loud and obnoxious as ever, but my focus shifted into a watching, observing state. I felt less involved, and thoughts floated in and out more freely and quickly.
I like the analogy of a house with both the front and back doors open. A bird can fly in through the front door, stay for a while, and fly out the back door when it is ready to leave. I was finally able to feel relaxed in being still!
Meditation without an agenda
What came out of that period of rest was a meditation practice I am so grateful for. True meditation for me now is:
- Sitting in the most comfortable way possible, with no agenda
- Not having too many rules about doing this or that
- Allowing the whirlwinds of the mind to move as they please until they are ready to quiet down
- Simply sitting and watching for whatever time is available: two minutes, three, four
- Closing my eyes and taking ten deep breaths
There is a sense of relief in letting go of what a meditation practice “should” be.
Serve yourself so you can serve others
Every day now I take a couple of mini “me time” breaks, especially when I need them, and I find myself smiling more. I sit, close my eyes and let the experience unfold naturally. It is different every time. This is how I take care of myself.
When you serve yourself, you are able to serve others better. There are many ways to serve you. How do you take care of yourself? I invite you to come take a restorative yoga class at Revolution. Restorative is a relaxed, meditative practice. Come and enjoy!
Peace and love, Eva
