Movement Medicine: Calm

I will be the first to tell you, that without the proper balance of sleep, food, activity, creativity, and caffeine, I can be a little less than pleasant. Because of an increase in my work load and a decrease in my physical activity, I could notice myself becoming a little crabby, and perhaps a little less than kind to my loved ones.

A flare in a chronic condition has had me off the yoga mat for a few weeks, and it seems like the longer I'm off the yoga mat, the harder it is to get back on, no matter how much I miss it, or need it. I always fear regression in my practice, and in those weeks without practice, the body quickly erases lean muscle and forgets flexibility.

But the body also remembers what is best for it, and has it's own muscle memory to make up for weeks of no practice. So at my wits' end today, I found myself back on the mat for the first time in what felt like ages.

Not wanting to push my body too far and needing a gentle guidance, I selected this video from the wonderful Adriene Mishler to follow. This particular video was titled Movement Medicine: Calm, which sounded exactly like what I needed.

And that is exactly what it turned out to be.

The video is great for those who are new to the practice or returning after a break. It manages to stretch out hip and shoulders that may need a good break from working in front of a computer. And without being too strenuous, it manages to bring a little heat. And it's only 17 minutes, which means it can be tacked on to any busy schedule, in less time than it would take to watch a sitcom.

At the end of the video, I finally had the inner calm that had been missing all these weeks without yoga, and I had the energy to look at my work load, not as daunting or exhausting, but as just another endeavor to triumph.

I recommend the video for anyone who needs to take a moment for themselves, mind and body.