Lately, I have been living my life more openly. Not really looking for amazing experiences, but allowing those experiences to happen. Seeing that even the little things in life can bring the greatest joy. Moving through my days more slowly and taking the time to feel the world around me.
During the last ten years of yoga classes (on and off), I have reached physical goals. But I have never felt deeply moved, inspired, or close to the universe…. that is until today.
I walked into my hot yoga class, taught by Wesley, with an open mind. Throughout the class, I did struggle with some poses. But yoga is about growing and stretching. You are never perfect in yoga, there is always another step that you can reach. So I allowed myself to feel the struggle in my poses, to understand that the struggle is something to be embraced. It means I am ready for growth.
At the end of class, we all came into sitting where Wesley directed us to say a mantra that we were encouraged to embody in our daily lives “No harm. No harm. Do no harm.” and then we came into a collective “Om”.
I don’t know what it was about this “Om” or why I hadn’t felt it in other classes I have taken, but today it hit me to my core. The sound was one of the most beautiful sounds I have heard. I felt the universe move, I felt my soul jump, I felt connected to everyone and everything around me. This Om hit me so deep, it gave me goosebumps. This one particular moment, “The Om Moment” was the first time I truly felt part of something bigger. An important part of something bigger.
Find your Om Moment and embrace it.
1. For hot yoga, I’d probably have to wear swim goggles to keep sweat from my eyes (I sweat a ton, for real).
2. “So I allowed myself to feel the struggle in my poses, to understand that the struggle is something to be embraced. It means I am ready for growth.” I really love this part. It seems like you’re sometimes embarrassed you’re a slower runner, this could also be adapted to cover that in your running.
3. Does hot yoga help you stretch deeper? I’ve found myself becoming more inflexible. Stretching doesn’t feel as good, so I do less of it, then become tighter….and the circle continues. I might give it a try if it could help that….with my swimming goggles on and big ole sweatband.
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1) I am odd in that fact that I don’t sweat. But I have seen people sweat buckets… one word of advice, put a towel over your mat. That way you don’t slip on your sweat.
2) You are right, I am embarrassed that I am a slower runner. I think I am going to make it a resolution to think about my running the same way as my yoga.
3) Hot yoga has been an amazing help with my stretching. I get much deeper stretches and it actually opens up my hips and improves my pace. The first time it can feel brutal, but my muscles and joints always thank be afterwards.
Hello there,
I stumbled across your blog and love this post. My entire philosophy is built off of what you wrote here. I believe in connecting each day with your mind, body and soul to “OM the moment.” That feeling you spoke about where everything feels alive and connected and just right. That is what I strive for on and off of my mat. I’m so glad you had this experience.
I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Jeanette R.