After a long day of coaching clients towards self-transformation, I need to take some time for me. Part of my self-care routine includes a breath-based exercise workout. Admittedly, it's a love-hate relationship, but as soon as I begin to enter the body, all that unnecessary mind-chatter disappears.
On the drive home from work, my mind begins the usual tug-of-war game — a battle to ditch my workout or not. And if there is traffic you can bet my mind will try to take advantage of that too, as further attempt to justify my excuses.
But despite all the back and forth, my highest self laces up my sneakers and the next thing I know, I'm sitting on the exercise machine. As I grab the handle, I begin to slow down my breath and prepare for glorious mind/body union. I can tell my ego is still trying to control the moment, as my mind is now tempted to tell me how long we're going to row, how hard I need to pull, and of course to set the timer so I can monitor my speed.
My entire day until that moment has been dictated by schedules and time constraints, and I'm fighting with my ego to enter a place that fosters a stronger sense of self for my overall health and well-being.
I've been here before. I know what to do. I come back to my breath.
This is my therapy. My yoga practice deeply influences my exercise as I row for my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
So I come back to my breath and stay focused on my breath alone, throughout the entire workout. As I weave various yogic breathing techniques into my workout, I can feel myself introverting. I'm moving into that space that allows me to move within the symphony of my body, not my mind. I allow my body to dictate the pace and duration, instead of my ego.
I'm here now. I'm in the space where my mind is calm. I can feel my body and direct my breath to support the movement. It's effortless and I'm free to connect with the deeper aspects of myself.