Ever since my first session of yoga (I remember it was with my good friend, YM!), I had never looked back. I remember feeling brilliantly exhilarated yet miraculously calm on the mat, physically challenged yet relaxed, and spiritually invigorated yet serene. It is a practice of juxtaposition. It is a salubrious tradition of holistic well-being for both our mind and body.
Since then, I had brought my yoga mat to myriad cities for overseas work trips, and had always depended on this reliable companion to immerse myself into a cocoon of tranquillity and peace on my lonely and sometimes stressful journeys abroad without my beloved family. I had escaped to yoga in times of stress, despair and anxiety - and never failed to emerge stronger, happier and calmer.
Since the Bees came into my life, I had lesser opportunities for the standard 90-minute practice, but 2 years ago, I started a daily practice of just 20 minutes a day, in between that precious, halcyon respite after I fetch Big Bee to school in the morning, and before Little Bee wakes up. Well, almost daily - there are times when I do feel a wee bit lazy!
The intensifying light of the rising sun and the sweet, light morning air, coupled with a short yet gratifying practice, provide that fundamental fulcrum of insight and context that usually pulls me through a weary workday without the Bees. It gives me that sanity, that perception and most importantly, that realisation that life is ever so beautiful, manageable and liveable. And if I encountered a particularly debilitating workday, I would engage in a gentle practice after the Bees slept to ease my mind into a state of repose, putting everything into benevolent perspective again.
I tried imparting the practice - although not on a regular basis yet - on my feisty and fiery girls, especially on days with vile, incessant spats of sibling rivalry. A 30-minute practice will never fail to cheer up their grouchy little souls and lighten their minds.
Vivacious and unfettered Bees towards the end of a yoga practice
It is definitely a lifelong journey for me, and I am currently trying to renew my personal challenge of involving Hubby in a regular practice too!
5 comments:
Heh you start them early!
I've also been trying to get Dean to start... without success.
Heeehee... never done yoga, but those pictures of your kids doing it are so so cute! :)
oh I once had an intimate affair with yoga too. Absolutely changed my life during the 2 years when I was practising. I have not been able to do it on my own though; somehow I don't find it conducive to practise at home, even when I am alone. I can't imagine starting my boys on yoga haha!
viv: Yes, in fact, I started yoga with the girls a year back :)
Fon: I used to be fairly successful with hubby when we were staying at our old place. But now, with the smaller space, he is not keen! Hmph.
MamaJ: Thanks! You should start yoga - really rejuvenating for both the mind and body!
Domesticgoddess: It is truly rewarding to start a short regular home practice...you just need to take some time and will feel its rewards. Perhaps you can start with some nice, preferred yoga videos? Till now, I need to practise with a video, otherwise, I find it not as reviving if I just practise on my own without a visual guide. The video will act as a strong discipline for us to practise as well.
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