Stop, Drop, and Yoga

The day started poorly when the alarm didn't to go off. A rush of panic makes you fly out of bed where your foot lands in a soggy puddle. Scrubbing the dog mess off of your foot (and the rug), you remember that you're out of coffee. Oh yeah, the water heater is on the fritz too. Your sweet pup thinks you're stressed and need some play time. He runs around the yard with happy abandon. You chase him, struggling not to curse.

A rough morning isn’t a house fire, but your body reacts similarly to stressors. The fight-or-flight chemicals course through you making it easy to get lost in a haze of anxiety, and blind reaction. Yoga can help. It surely won't make coffee appear, but breathing (yoga’s very foundation) can help you respond differently to crisis.

Choosing to respond calmly can be tough. You can feel out of control when life throws you a curveball. Learning to accept a hard situation and ‘just be’ in it, is an invaluable lesson You start by using the breath to calm your body. I like to think of it as weathering the storm, or ‘stop, drop, and yoga.’

Now imagine that day with the malfunctioning alarm. You're late, but you take a deep breath and throw the covers back. You notice and avoid stepping into the dog mess, making it easier to clean. No shower is a bummer, but you stretch your arms overhead and inhale deeply. Regrouping, you pull your hair back and pop outside where you appreciate the fresh air. Your sweet pup easily comes running with the promise of a cookie. On your way to work you realize that you actually have time to stop for a cup of coffee.

Next time you are in an uncomfortable situation, remember that your practice doesn’t stop on the mat. Just stop, drop (figuratively speaking), and yoga your way into graceful acceptance, and thoughtful response.