How is it possible to love a sport that involves so much violence and still believe in the importance of ahimsa? Non violence is such a large part of yoga; to one's body, one's inner thoughts and one's actions. How is it possible to believe in the importance of this and yet still love hockey or football?
I have been struggling with this lately. Especially during football season. My husband and I have been watching football together since we starting dating and for the first time I have been resistant. I enjoy it, but I would rather go read a book or do something else. I have been trying to be better at ahimsa and I find it a contradiction to go and watch hours of fast, hard hitting sports. Yet I do enjoy them...
So you see my dilemma?
My love of sports (hockey and football) truly has not changed however I struggle with the level of importance it has on my life. When we spend all Sunday essentially in our TV room watching football and eating crappy food. (Yummy...half the reason I enjoyed football at first was the food!) Now we are vegetarian, and I am trying to get my yoga on as much as I can while I am 22 weeks pregnant with our second child. Where do I have time to waste on things that do not fit into the life plan?
How does one enjoy football or hockey while staying true to their beliefs about violence? Do I really want my child to grow up in Canada and not play hockey at least once to see if she likes it? I grew up playing hockey and it helped shape the women I am now? Does that mean I am a bad yogini? These contradictions are constantly arising and its how we handle them that really matters.
What if I take Non violence to mean I don't watch action
movies or any tv show that have violence in it? How extreme am I willing
to let this go?
For now, this is still debating in my mind. I think I will enjoy the time I have to watch some football and hockey. Reminding myself that no one is trying to injure the other team. Physical contact does not equal violence. Taking each decision as the moment arises and limiting just how much I allow in.
One day at a time!
Namaste
Monday, December 9, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Just one of those nights....
Last night was just one of those nights where no one got any sleep. Not even the dog. We tossed and turned and when one settled the other fidgeted. Then finally in a great spot, nice and comfy and the baby wakes up. Not just a slight toss and turn cranky, but full blown fever and needing some snuggles. At this point it is 12:30 am and all I can think of, "I teach in less then 6 hours".
When my alarm went off at 5:17am all I wanted was another 5 hours of sleep...is that too much to ask for?? By the time my husband and I settled our poor teething baby girl it was after 2. Then my asthma decided to kick in and keep me up until 3:30. Lots of fun....the whole not breathing really made me happy.
So, on my way to the gym and made the conscious effort to wake up and get happy and energized because the last thing I would want to do, is start someones day off wrong. Turned up the music and started singing!!
Class went great! Lot of energy and happy sweaty people.
When I got home, my plan was to crawl back into bed next to my hubby and get some sleep. The funny this is, when I got home, I just wanted to have some water and sit and enjoy the silence. The quiet of the morning when nothing is happening. No one is demanding my attention, the only sound is nature all around and the peace and quiet is astounding.
It brought back memories from training when one of the instructors talked about how every morning she would wake up early in order to have her morning tea by herself. At the time we all thought she was crazy. I think I am starting to understand.
That being said 2 hours of sleep just wasn't quite enough to get me through my day, so I ended up going back to bed for a power snooze.
Great start to any day....YOGA at 6am
When my alarm went off at 5:17am all I wanted was another 5 hours of sleep...is that too much to ask for?? By the time my husband and I settled our poor teething baby girl it was after 2. Then my asthma decided to kick in and keep me up until 3:30. Lots of fun....the whole not breathing really made me happy.
So, on my way to the gym and made the conscious effort to wake up and get happy and energized because the last thing I would want to do, is start someones day off wrong. Turned up the music and started singing!!
Class went great! Lot of energy and happy sweaty people.
When I got home, my plan was to crawl back into bed next to my hubby and get some sleep. The funny this is, when I got home, I just wanted to have some water and sit and enjoy the silence. The quiet of the morning when nothing is happening. No one is demanding my attention, the only sound is nature all around and the peace and quiet is astounding.
It brought back memories from training when one of the instructors talked about how every morning she would wake up early in order to have her morning tea by herself. At the time we all thought she was crazy. I think I am starting to understand.
That being said 2 hours of sleep just wasn't quite enough to get me through my day, so I ended up going back to bed for a power snooze.
Great start to any day....YOGA at 6am
Its funny sometimes how a slow subtle change over the course of 5 years has created incredible changes in ones life. When looking back on the effect it has had on my life, I am still in awe. I can still remember the day when my good friend had finally convinced me, after 4 months of bugging, to take my first hot yoga class.
Looking back now, I know that when I walked out of that room, exhausted and sweaty, I was changed. Right down to my core. Whats amazing is how after 5 years I am still learning, and still discovering more.
She told me, what to wear and what to bring. She explained what it was going to be like in the room, and not to talk. I walked into that room a young women looking for something to replace the amazing workout I used to get from hockey, and I walked out 5 years later a changed women.
I know a lot of people would read this and think that this is a load of shit. I understand why. I mean, how on earth could one experience change you that deeply. The tricky thing about yoga, the practice and the theory, is that it goes deeper then the skin and muscles. It enters the mind through the subtle teaching of the instructor (breathe work, patience, practice, cleansing, stillness etc) the life lessons you learn form what you learn in the room in astounding. You can always notice when you have a breakthrough or an advancement in the yoga that it transcribes to the something outside as well. Sometimes sublte changes in behavior are noticed and sometimes more grandios such as large life alterations like turning vegan.
Now of course life happens and many situations have played a factor in how I live my life today. However, yoga has been the driving force. The beam of light if you will, that has guided me and kept me strong. The subtle teachings have guided me exactly where I needed to be.
Right here...
I am a simple kind of girl. I like chocolate, love my family and friends, and enjoy getting my sweat on at yoga.
Looking back now, I know that when I walked out of that room, exhausted and sweaty, I was changed. Right down to my core. Whats amazing is how after 5 years I am still learning, and still discovering more.
She told me, what to wear and what to bring. She explained what it was going to be like in the room, and not to talk. I walked into that room a young women looking for something to replace the amazing workout I used to get from hockey, and I walked out 5 years later a changed women.
I know a lot of people would read this and think that this is a load of shit. I understand why. I mean, how on earth could one experience change you that deeply. The tricky thing about yoga, the practice and the theory, is that it goes deeper then the skin and muscles. It enters the mind through the subtle teaching of the instructor (breathe work, patience, practice, cleansing, stillness etc) the life lessons you learn form what you learn in the room in astounding. You can always notice when you have a breakthrough or an advancement in the yoga that it transcribes to the something outside as well. Sometimes sublte changes in behavior are noticed and sometimes more grandios such as large life alterations like turning vegan.
Now of course life happens and many situations have played a factor in how I live my life today. However, yoga has been the driving force. The beam of light if you will, that has guided me and kept me strong. The subtle teachings have guided me exactly where I needed to be.
Right here...
I am a simple kind of girl. I like chocolate, love my family and friends, and enjoy getting my sweat on at yoga.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
I have spent a lot of time sitting and thinking. Realizing that I can not do this all on my own and figured out that talking things out really helps me. I think my hormones are starting to balance and I am slowly coming back to being just me.
I had a hard time being so blatantly honest in my last post. I felt very ashamed and nervous to release all of that information out into the world. (Even though I know I have an audience of one... :) )
Admitting that something isn't quite right is hard, let alone admitting that you need help. I have told my parents. Iwas nervous that they would somehow think that this is their fault or take the blame in any form. But I do feel its important as part of my heeling to be able to share this with them. Still not sure if I want to share it with my in-laws though. (Don't get me wrong, I love and care about them, but I am nervous about how it will reflect on me.) I hate the stigma that goes with having PPD or anxiety or any other mental illness.
Ever since getting pregnant I have had to let go of my practice and what I thought it was. I had to rethink what it is to practice completely within your own body and not let others influence you, while in the room and in every day activities. I should be embracing my body, loving every new curve. Exploring the new openness of my hips and taking note of the new limitations of my hamstrings. Starting over in some postures while advancing in others. So what if my clothes do not fit the way they used to. I have a beautiful daughter in replace of my abs. Abs I can get again with hard work and dedication, but there is only one beautiful little girl staring up at me and smiling.
I should also be embracing my mind with the same love and affection. I have been ignoring the importance of positive thinking and building up the strength of my mind again. It sure did take a toll there for a while but I think its coming back.
My current goal is to work on the inner me. Make 'me' a priority. Change every single negative thought into a positive and its time to finally start practicing what I preach! Embrace this exact moment. Forgot anything and everything else. For in this moment, there is nothing else.
I had a hard time being so blatantly honest in my last post. I felt very ashamed and nervous to release all of that information out into the world. (Even though I know I have an audience of one... :) )
Admitting that something isn't quite right is hard, let alone admitting that you need help. I have told my parents. Iwas nervous that they would somehow think that this is their fault or take the blame in any form. But I do feel its important as part of my heeling to be able to share this with them. Still not sure if I want to share it with my in-laws though. (Don't get me wrong, I love and care about them, but I am nervous about how it will reflect on me.) I hate the stigma that goes with having PPD or anxiety or any other mental illness.
Ever since getting pregnant I have had to let go of my practice and what I thought it was. I had to rethink what it is to practice completely within your own body and not let others influence you, while in the room and in every day activities. I should be embracing my body, loving every new curve. Exploring the new openness of my hips and taking note of the new limitations of my hamstrings. Starting over in some postures while advancing in others. So what if my clothes do not fit the way they used to. I have a beautiful daughter in replace of my abs. Abs I can get again with hard work and dedication, but there is only one beautiful little girl staring up at me and smiling.
I should also be embracing my mind with the same love and affection. I have been ignoring the importance of positive thinking and building up the strength of my mind again. It sure did take a toll there for a while but I think its coming back.
My current goal is to work on the inner me. Make 'me' a priority. Change every single negative thought into a positive and its time to finally start practicing what I preach! Embrace this exact moment. Forgot anything and everything else. For in this moment, there is nothing else.
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