Breathe in, breathe out. You're melting like a pat of butter...

I am a fitness junkie these days. I can't get enough of the stuff. On my off days, I go into withdrawals. Running, jogging, strength training, Zumba...you name it, I was doing it as long as I was sweating my rear off! (And hopefully, literally.)

Yoga is something I've always wanted to try but never made it past the poses on the Wii Fit. (They're actually a lot harder than you would imagine! Trust me.) For someone who loves her cardio and loves to go, go, go...Yoga seemed a little too peaceful for me.

Until I realized that peaceful just might be what I need in my life.

I rush around at full speed and never stop to smell the flowers let alone imagine myself walking along the beach listening to the seagulls. (Which is fine, I hate birds.) Yet, I have found myself with a lot of "me time" as of late and I needed something to fill it. Luckily, my gym offers a yoga/pilates/stretch course two days a week. I have only ventured to the Friday morning classes but I have to tell you that when Monday rolls around I'll be striking a Cobra pose with the rest of them.

I have been going to the Friday courses for a few weeks now and I have finally overcome my hump of being embarrassed by how inflexible and unbalanced I really am. I am the youngest member of the class and these "little old ladies" as they refer to themselves can Downward Dog without breaking a sweat. I still can't put my feet flat on the floor during this pose with out writhing in pain or toppling over. But I have noticed a great difference in my stretching, energy and general outlook on life.

Not to mention I am now the proud owner of a yoga mat, yoga blocks, a yoga strap and TWO abs. I'm not sure if I'll ever FIND the other four, but I think for the moment I'm satisfied with the two.

Yoga is about balance and keeping yourself centered but it is also about becoming a stronger person. Physically, yes of course, but mostly mentally. You must keep calm and relaxed or you will fall and won't be able to transition from cow to cat to child's pose. You must keep a clear mind and focus on each individual muscle and breath you're using. You have to shut out the rest of the world and focus only on what is important in that moment.

Work used to consume my life and it was always struggle to the top, struggle to the top. I HAD to find something that I could move up in. Whatever happened to just living in the moment and enjoying what you have? I am now noticing that I just may not be a "career woman" like I always thought I would be, or rather, was supposed to be. I do enjoy working because it gives me a sense of independence, but it doesn't have to be the "be all, end all" that is has been. I am allowed to enjoy other things outside of work and let the work cards fall where they will.

Yoga has taught me to take a breath and get back into what I truly enjoy. Work is only one facet of your life. Life, as is Yoga, is all about balance. Balance between friends, work, lovers, food, exercise, hobbies...the list goes on.

Whenever I start to stress out about things I sit with legs crossed and just breathe. I let go.

When I first started this class I thought ending on a fully body relaxation technique was weird. I couldn't grasp "melting into the mat like butter" or "erasing all your stresses from the chalkboard of life." Today, at the end of my course I was so melted I was practically burnt and my chalkboard that used to seem a mile long was empty.

So yes, life is hard and stressful. But, the next time you find things getting to be too much...go find yourself. Centered and balanced.

Ommmmmm......