My Kind of Yoga

In class, we started a discussion on How To Save Time. It basically was a mini-lesson of time management.

Somewhere in the discussion, I said that I had to have my "Me" time. My time by myself, not talking to anyone. Mindless time in front of the TV or on the computer. Or driving, driving counts as "Me" time too!

So others went on their rants on, "Oh, I have no time to relax." My thought? That's their problem. I prioritize time for this. I will often put it before school and work if it is in desperate need. I spent too many years of working and worrying myself into anxiety attacks and nervous breakdowns over things I can barely remember now.

My instructor suggested yoga to me. He said he thought I would like it. I've never tried it. My first thought is I couldn't do that...I've heard it's hard. I felt like I would be too self-conscious which would not serve as relaxing for me.

His exact words were:

Sissy and all,

You need Yoga!

(yoga = A system of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind. )

I am not kidding. Mind is just another organ of the human body and in our society, we hardly teach people, ever, how to exercise the mind. All we do is keep dumping work on that organ.

Is that fair?

Thinking is not the total exercise for the mind. It definitely is a part. And there is different parts of the brain. e.g. even the memory aspect has long term and short term component, visual recall vs audio recall has different character, etc. And you all know about the Left and Right side of the brain, Al aspects of the brain, including the capability of focusing on a single thought or just letting it go completely blank, must be regularly exercised. The mind can even be trained to forget pain and continue to concentrate on the important task at hand (they always show this in spy movies but it a fact).

What is worse in our society is that we do not teach our children what can really cause damage to the brain. Just like many other organs, brain is also very susceptible to many bad foods, drinks, drugs, etc.

Doesn't what I am saying make sense? Think about it!

I've never done Yoga, but it doesn't mean I don't do some of these things here.

I don't do it as often as I would like, but my ultimate relaxation/brain work out deals with music.

I turn off all the lights in my house. Totally dark so I can't look at something to create thoughts or think of something that needs done.

I then put on some music. Usually something instrumental or new age. Something with distinguishable different instruments that I can get lost in.

I recline in my sofa and listen. I have surround sound so the music literally surrounds me as I get lost. I listen to what each part is doing or what each instrument is doing, how they compliment each other and different techniques being used.

This may seem like a lot of thinking, but I get lost in this. A lot of it is subconscious.

Afterward, I feel as relaxed as if I would have had a full body massage. I'm at peace and am fresh. I feel as if I'm starting over brand new. Refueling I suppose.