I went to my third yoga class today in Atlanta. I have forgotten how much I love to do yoga. With every class, I move and stretch every single muscle in my body, and I get to slowwww down my breathing. In Ayurveda, breathing is known as prana, or the life force. Basically the less we breathe, the more we prolong our life span. I definitely slow down my respiratory rate during class, so I guess I'm adding more "life onto my span."
So some people who know me well, know that I cannot bend forward with straight knees and touch my toes. Even during high school, when I ran track and spent a ridiculous amount of time before workouts stretching, I could NOT touch my toes. I blame it on my long legs. My legs are so long that I have to freakin sit on a pillow to drive, a fact that is often received with much snickering, even from those near and dear to me (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!).
Well, I'm pleased to say, that I am getting quite close to touching my toes!! This after only 3 classes. You have no IDEA how much this means to me. Some people have lofty goals in life. These may include to become the best physician ever, or to be the fastest runner, or to be a good parent or a good spouse. One of my goals, and I kid you not, has been to to be able to touch my toes. Who knew that I would get closer to this goal in residency of all the times in my life??? I'm more limber than I've ever been before!!!
Yoga has also helped me become more meditative. I saw this quote on a bumpersticker today and I felt a connection with it. I think that words appearing on a bumpersticker can cheapen the idea or thought behind the words, but this one definitely caught my attention:
"We are not human beings with spiritual experiences, but we are spiritual beings with human experiences."
Dr. Aarons, one of my favorite college professors of all time, taught me to never quote a phrase without proceeding to explain it in your own words, but I think I'd rather just leave this one without any commentary. Hope everyone reading this entry is well!
1 comment:
haha. Well, a goal is a goal. Well done. Now can you hide your palms underneath the soles of your foot while bending down straight. (you would need ape like arms like me to do that now wouldn't you) ;p
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