Learning to Love Yourself
Yoga is the ultimate practice. It simultaneously stimulates our inner light and quiets our overactive minds. It is both energy and rest. Yin and Yang. We feel the burn and find our bliss.”
Around September last year I was taking Jack to art and noticed a sign for a Yoga studio. When we got to art, I googled the studio and signed up. I didn’t think about it. I asked the times and the costs and signed up.
The classes were 90 minutes so I wasn’t sure I would actually make it but I forced myself to go anyway and I survived and have been going every weekend since then. Over December when we were away, my body missed it. I missed it.
I spent a lot of time focusing on me last year.
I started finally sorting out my health.
We focused on our relationship and intentionally started taking time out for each other.
I started setting stricter boundaries with my job.
I invested in the right clothes for my body that made me feel amazing.
I focused on establishing my veggie garden.
And I started yoga. Obviously yoga has physical benefits but the main reason I started was to fill my cup each week. Twice a week I take a 90 minute time out. I focus only on the class, the poses and the breathing. Afterwards I get a coffee/chai tea and the best coffee stand in Pretoria. It is my time and I cherish it.
The class is tough and most mornings I don’t want to go but I get dressed and go and I am always grateful afterwards.
Every class is the same, the poses are the same which means its easy to improve each pose and part of the appeal for me is pushing myself in each pose, stretching deeper, holding it longer and trying the poses I can’t yet master.
I am learning to love my body.
I am learning to love myself.
I am learning to love slowing down.
I am learning to love time out.
I am learning to love life again.
Learning to love yourself again after becoming a parent is a process. It takes some time to start taking up space in the world again but it is worth it.
In asana practice we learn to cherish each breath, to cherish every cell in our bodies. The time we spend on the mat is love in action
4 Responses
This is really on point. There’s ways to step away from work or commitments, but those things are often not really fulfilling. I have totally lost who I was, and it is nice to actually think this through and ask ourselves what makes us happy. I honestly sometimes don’t know what makes me happy any more.
This one really makes me think. This is a great post! I love Yoga but been in and out of it. Might get back to it again.
Your journey of self-discovery and self-care through yoga is inspiring. It’s wonderful to see how you prioritize filling your own cup and embracing self-love. Your commitment to attending classes, pushing yourself, and cherishing your personal time is truly admirable. Keep nurturing yourself and enjoying the journey.
It’s great that you gave yourself so much love, it is important to invest in yourself