Tonight’s yoga class with Jenniferlyn Chiemingo (JL) was exhausting and gratifying. I felt strong and took each vinyasa and chaturanga with careful calculation and — by the end of it — still had enough fight in me to try out some arm balances. To my surprise, I actually got the peak post: half crow, half koundinyasana. I continue to have a hard time with arm balances and often don’t even bother attempting them, so this was a personal feat. Oh, and if you’re thinking, “What the heck is that pose?,” it is actually a blend of two poses and not “official” in that sense, but here is a picture of each to help you visualize it. One leg is stretched straight out, while the other leg is balancing on your arm. Crazy, right?
Anyway, the theme of the class was priorities, with JL asking us what we believe is a priority to us and whether or not we are doing that/those thing(s). This seems like a simple thought, except as I began to list things in my head, I don’t know that I can check off all of my priorities. For example: have I been in touch with my family as much as I would like to? No. Have I allowed myself actual time for myself? Not really. Have I been taking care of myself (sleeping enough, eating healthy, etc.)? On occasion. But, there are other priorities like doing well in my graduate program and at work that I also have to consider. So what stays, and what goes? Well, there’s no easy answer. It’s just about balance, which is what this entire blog is focused on.
Here’s an excerpt from Melody Beattie’s “Journey to the Heart” (also listed under Readings for the Soul) that JL read at the end of class and really exemplifies the action we need to put behind our priorities.
Look around and you’ll see your answers. Your life as it is now reflects the priorities you have chosen so far. If something is happening too slowly, try switching your priority setting from low, to high.
Seems simple enough! Are there any priorities you’ve had on the back burner? Maybe now is the time to reconsider!
Seattle Yogi 