Yoga Every Damn Day: Day 22

Day 22 was an exercise in restraint. I had big plans for the evening: laundry, yoga and making paleo chicken teriyaki. Then a friend asked if I wanted to join her a few other friends I hadn’t seen in ages at a bar that’s around the corner from me. They were watching the Giants in the World Series, and I wanted to be a part of it. Beer, burgers, a grimy bar where I take in the buzz of our city. I tried to talk myself into going, justifying it to myself:

“I can do yoga later tonight! (after burgers and beer?) My laundry will keep till tomorrow night! (Don’t you already have plans tomorrow night? And don’t you sort of NEED to wash those jeans for this trip you’re taking this weekend?)”

Responsibility won out. I stayed home. 

After the laundry was on I pulled out my mat. I was annoyed. I want it all, you see. The discipline and body that comes with daily yoga. The carefree life of fun that allows me to breeze to the local bar at a moment’s notice. I sat on my mat, and decided to do something I don’t often do-- set an intention for my practice. Immediately the word “present” sprung to mind. Since I had already decided to not go to the bar, there was no point dwelling on it. I had 30 minutes on my mat, and on the mat is where I wanted my mind to be. 

And it worked! I got distracted a few times, but for the most part I felt connected and really in the moment. And while I still (STILL) haven’t worked past my limit of 30 minutes, when I was done I felt like there were more poses I could have done.

And once I was done with yoga and laundry, Andrew and I went out for sushi, so I got to have my fun too. Not quite having it all, but not a million miles off.