Kendra's Favorite Things

How many times do you get annoyed or stressed out throughout the day? Whether it be from spilling coffee on yourself on the way to work, (I know I'm a big klutz, but please tell me that happens to other people?!) getting cutoff on the freeway, or realizing there is mayo on your sandwich when you specifically asked for "no mayo." There used to be a time when I let all these little things get to me, they'd bottle up and eventually turn into a big thing that annoyed me.

Now close your eyes (well, don't actually close your eyes because then you won't be able to read any further) and imagine a place, or an activity that allowed you to release any and all of your bottled up emotions and left you feeling refreshed and renewed. This is what my yoga practice is for me.

When I walk onto the mat, whether it be at 6am, or 8:30 pm, my mind is normally wandering, but over the course of a 60 or 75 minute class, everything is slowed down. I am able to intake everything that I want in my life, and release all of the feelings, thoughts, hurt and emotions that are just simply taking up space in my body. I leave the mat feeling like a better version of myself, every time.

Last night in practice Sommer mentioned something that really hit home to me and everything I've been going through in my life. "Evolution is not always forward moving",  we were in Fixed Firm Pose, which is a pose I am normally comfortable with, but last night it just wasn't feeling right. Sommer mentioned that sometimes the best way to move forward in a position is to actually take a step back. This is so true not only for our yoga postures, but also for everyday situations in life. Sometimes if our emotions are telling us that we need to take a step back, it is inevitably the best way to move forward when the time is right.

Namaste,
Kendra