I attended a yoga class at Moksha (http://minneapolis.mokshayoga.ca/home/) last week and was inspired by the words of the instructor. The essence of his message was that we spend so much time focusing on “doing” instead of “being”. I know this is absolutely true for me. As I think about my week, I spend hours thinking and planning what I will “do” in my group fitness classes, what needs to get “done” around the house, what I need to “do” with the kids, etc.
At one point in the class, the instructor said “be in your body”. This was ironic for me because I have a very hard time staying present in yoga and being still. Instead, I judge myself as to whether or not I am doing the poses correctly. Yoga is very hard for me because I don’t feel that I am good at it. Strength comes easy for me; flexibility does not. During class I find myself scanning the room to see how others look in their poses and then judging myself and my performance. I focus on how I look in the pose, rather than how I feel. This gives me a very distressed feeling instead of the peace and calm that I am hoping for.
The notion of being in your body could obviously apply to many aspects of your life; however I am curious as to how this pertains to the physical endeavors in your life. When you take a group fitness class, are you judging how you look and comparing yourself to others or are you present in your body? Do you notice how certain movements make you feel strong or how exhilarating it feels to get your heart rate up?
I would love to feel more tranquility in my life and I know I can improve this with how I approach my workouts. Going forward, I will “be” more present during my workouts and focus on how my body feels as opposed to how my body is performing. I will not allow myself to be impacted by others; I will not fall into this comparison trap. I will “be” present for me and me alone.
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This really speaks to me! I started doing Pilates (mat) after I had my baby and I spent most of my time being frustrated with not doing it correctly. My trainer kept telling me that she still needs guidance at her advanced state, but I kept beating myself up about it. I have always had a hard time “being in the moment” anyway because I am such a planner. My children have really helped me move my focus from “tomorrow” or “what’s coming up” to the moment with them. I still struggle with it in the rest of my life, though. Thanks so much for this entry! It is nice to know I am not the only one who struggles with this. And it helps me in my quest to be in my body!
Fantastic! And so true.
I am often looking around, comparing myself to those around me. Are they going faster than me? Are they lifting more weight than me? Are they more flexible than me? etc…
Truthfully, I so often judge myself on whether or not I had a good class if You say something to me that day in class, ex: “Go get it Kara” or “Nice form Kara”. It is so fulfilling to me that my instructor recognizes my efforts and compliments me.
However, that being said, I shouldn’t be so reliant on others for their feedback, but should instead focus on “being in the moment” and “being in my body”
Thanks for this! Just what I needed to hear!