A revelation

So, I'm taking a yoga class this semester and it has been really interesting. I've learned a lot. It's been a lot more than just stretching and relaxing (which, I'm not going to lie, were my original expectations); we've had to work really hard. Not only are we building muscle strength, but we're spending a lot of time quieting ourselves, listening to what is happening inside of us, which is really not an easy thing to do.

That has been really enlightening.

When we sit down in class and are focusing on just the physical, like our breathing, our arm position, having good posture, stretching muscles that we don't normally stretch, all kinds of other things seem to pop into my head at the same time.

I think that yoga class is one of the only times that I have where I just sit quietly and am not distracted by facebook, the tv, my phone or homework and that opens up a lot of options. When we sit and quiet ourselves, that's when a lot of heavy things come out for me.

I'm learning to recognize my needs, my feelings that would otherwise be buried deep inside. Yoga is bringing out for me a lot of things that I need to deal with, and time to do work through it and I'm really grateful for that.

I have realized that it is so valuable to sit quietly, to just listen to yourself, so become aware of what is happening inside you. Not only is it important to know what is happening physically but spiritually and emotionally as well.

Take a moment. Sit quietly. Spend some time listening to yourself. See what comes up for you.