I'm going deep here, so stay with me. Equanimity is the focus for week 3. Equanimity. Webster defines it as "evenness of mind especially under stress." I'm going to have to say this is not my strong suit. I lose it under stress. I hate pain and discomfort. I don't like loud noises and am easily startled. I don't like it hot and I don't like it cold. I think week 3 is looking like a tough one. Can't wait to dive into this one. Here is the positive side to this coin. I have the opportunity to learn A LOT.
The first exercise we had in the understanding of equanimity was to sit on our knees with our toes curled under for two minutes. Awesome. I think I made it for 10 seconds and my right big toe is still hurting. What does this say about me? The first answer coming to my mind for this is QUITTER. Yep, that's what I think. I know, intellectually, I'm not a complete quitter. After all, I went to the class. I participated in the exercise. I just couldn't stay with it for two minutes. I still feel like a quitter. Now, I'm going to do what I always do. I'm going to give you my excuses. Here goes. First, I was in an hour and a half yoga practice that KICKED MY BUTT just prior to this exercise. The teacher did a hips, core and balance class and she was brutal. No modification suggestions and every time I couldn't do the pose I could see her LOOKING at me. I was so self conscious. It was uncomfortable, both physically and mentally. *Gee, I love yoga.* But, I had decided to go into the class with a positive attitude. This was my intention. Btw, yoga is a lot about intention. Intention for your yoga practice. Intention for your breathing. Intention for your meditation. A lot of intention. Excuse number two, I'm way heavier than most of the others in the class, but my toes are the same size as theirs. The physics of this exercise GUARANTEE my toes will hurt more. I'm pretty sure I'm right about this. Pressure per square inch would be greater on MY TOES. Ok, those are the excuses.
Back to equanimity. What does sitting on your toes for two minutes have to do with equanimity? Let me tell you, because I think I get it. STAY WITH THE PAIN. Just wait. Don't react to the pain. Don't react to the situation. Breathe. Give the situation a bit of thought. Don't look for the quick fix. Think. Let the answer come to you. Don't struggle to find the solution. Let it come to you.
As I said, equanimity is not my strong suit. This week 3 is going to take a lot of work. I'm going to have to breathe through my cardio. Breathe through the weight work. Breathe through my yoga practice. Breathe through my challenges at work. Breathe through my food choices. No grab and go. Think.
Well, I think I used the word equanimity four or five or even six times in this post. So, if nothing more, you learned a new word. I think the Bible speaks on equanimity, as well. We are to be slow to anger, slow to speak. We are not to worry, but to give it to God. We are promised trouble in the world, but told to "fear not" because the world has been overcome by our Lord. I think I really need week 3.
Oh, and I just have to share this because it is HILARIOUS. They just don't make womens pants with pockets.
The first exercise we had in the understanding of equanimity was to sit on our knees with our toes curled under for two minutes. Awesome. I think I made it for 10 seconds and my right big toe is still hurting. What does this say about me? The first answer coming to my mind for this is QUITTER. Yep, that's what I think. I know, intellectually, I'm not a complete quitter. After all, I went to the class. I participated in the exercise. I just couldn't stay with it for two minutes. I still feel like a quitter. Now, I'm going to do what I always do. I'm going to give you my excuses. Here goes. First, I was in an hour and a half yoga practice that KICKED MY BUTT just prior to this exercise. The teacher did a hips, core and balance class and she was brutal. No modification suggestions and every time I couldn't do the pose I could see her LOOKING at me. I was so self conscious. It was uncomfortable, both physically and mentally. *Gee, I love yoga.* But, I had decided to go into the class with a positive attitude. This was my intention. Btw, yoga is a lot about intention. Intention for your yoga practice. Intention for your breathing. Intention for your meditation. A lot of intention. Excuse number two, I'm way heavier than most of the others in the class, but my toes are the same size as theirs. The physics of this exercise GUARANTEE my toes will hurt more. I'm pretty sure I'm right about this. Pressure per square inch would be greater on MY TOES. Ok, those are the excuses.
Back to equanimity. What does sitting on your toes for two minutes have to do with equanimity? Let me tell you, because I think I get it. STAY WITH THE PAIN. Just wait. Don't react to the pain. Don't react to the situation. Breathe. Give the situation a bit of thought. Don't look for the quick fix. Think. Let the answer come to you. Don't struggle to find the solution. Let it come to you.
As I said, equanimity is not my strong suit. This week 3 is going to take a lot of work. I'm going to have to breathe through my cardio. Breathe through the weight work. Breathe through my yoga practice. Breathe through my challenges at work. Breathe through my food choices. No grab and go. Think.
Well, I think I used the word equanimity four or five or even six times in this post. So, if nothing more, you learned a new word. I think the Bible speaks on equanimity, as well. We are to be slow to anger, slow to speak. We are not to worry, but to give it to God. We are promised trouble in the world, but told to "fear not" because the world has been overcome by our Lord. I think I really need week 3.
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Oh, and I just have to share this because it is HILARIOUS. They just don't make womens pants with pockets.
