Enjoying a Gentle Stretch

 I recently returned to the yoga mat, teaching a relaxing nighttime class at a local gym. Over the last few years, my yoga practice has transitioned from a daily ritual to a much less routine occurrence.  Returning to the mat after taking a break has felt timely and like a homecoming.  I am finding myself in a space of peace and grounding, and can reflect on how my body is feeling while engaged in slow and thoughtful movement. 

Taking time to reflect on the past year of my life, I can't help but notice how many aspects of my persona feel like they have come full circle.  It feels like I am finally able to open my arms wide enough to welcome in all of the pieces of who I am that I have tried to shed or ignore in the past.  Recognizing that, regardless of my opinion of these traits and tendencies, they are all important layers that fit together to make me whole.  And while I have softened towards these often-ignored parts, I have also started to recognize and release the narratives that have prevented this integration from taking place.  There is a peace that comes with the realization of who we are at our core and slowly learning to appreciate and even love our true selves.

This is where I have been feeling a stretch.  It has not been easy to move towards this mindset of acceptance, fueled by internal validation versus external.  It feels like an uncomfortable stretch for me to feel okay with who I am, even though the person I am often does not live up to the expectations I have placed upon her over the years.  This is where the principles of yoga have been helping me while off the mat.  While I teach my classes, I am often reminding my participants (and myself) that yoga is not about being flexible enough to "nail" the poses or look like an influencer featured in a yoga video or social media reel.  Trust me, I watch in amazement as folks manage to flow through what looks like gravity-defying movements in a serene, sun-dappled studio, wearing what looks like bespoke yoga outfits.  This is not reality.  Reality is showing up in old workout tights, using blocks to help your hands connect with the floor, and the acceptance that your heels may never reach the floor in a downward dog.  Yoga is understanding that the practice of showing up means more than any of those other things.  It is the work that we do each day to move ourselves towards who we want to be, and who we intrinsically are.  And while I am absolutely a proponent of incorporating healthy, gentle stretches into our days, whether this be physically, emotionally, or spiritually, I am finally able to appreciate the power of a gentle stretch versus a seemingly beneficial, uncomfortable stretch. 

Growth can and does often come from a place of discomfort or pain, but at some point, I believe those gains are offset by the stress and striving that come with never feeling like we are moving forward.  Having been on both sides of this equation, spending more of my time being uncomfortable and never satisfied, I am grateful for finally coming to a place where I can enjoy the sensations and outcomes of inviting in a milder, more consistent, and thoughtful stretch.