Centering
I created this post about two months ago, but was too scared to share it. I am not sure why exactly. Part of me worries that I am just not a writer, and it is obvious. But I also worry that nobody will care to read what I have to say. Who really cares, though? If nobody reads this - no big deal. Journaling should be therapeutic. So, here I share:
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Over the past 40 days I have been involved in a yoga challenge. But the challenge has also incorporated meditation and journaling. Last week's journal theme in our 40 day yoga challenge group is about centering. Before I start my response to this prompt, let me say that I have put this off for a super long time because I don't know what the hell "centering" even means. In the center? middle? What does that even mean?
So, my mind goes to the chakras that I have been trying to learn more about. The chakras are energy points along the center of our body, starting at the root (your booty) and going all the way to the crown (the top of your head). Does centering mean having all of these chakra points in balance? This is my immediate thought. I know that the root, sacral, and solar plexus are more physical in nature - where I feel stronger. The rest (heart, throat, third eye, and crown) are more emotional and spiritual - where I struggle. To be "centered", I assume I need to work on the latter and become more balanced. Does "centering" mean "balancing" then?
According to my yoga instructor, there are two things that yoga teaches us we need to do when it comes to centering
1. Don't rush the process
2. Be true to yourself.
Was I totally off? Not completely. I can't rush the process of balancing. And I can't try to be someone I am not. My spirituality may (and probably does) look different than everyone else. And that's ok. I bring up my spirituality because I feel like this is a great way to be true to yourself, no matter your beliefs. I do feel that my beliefs are much different than those that I surround myself with daily. It scares me to even talk about, because I am not the norm. And honestly, it’s something that makes me feel like I can’t connect with others. In the end, though, I need to be true to myself.
Our prompt is to discuss how we find ourselves rushing throughout the day and how we redirect, also what parts of our true self do we gravitate toward as a way to center ourselves and our thoughts/actions. Here I go.....
I find myself rushing through the day to move onto the next event in my day. I rush from class to class, often times improvising, thinking about what NEEDS to get done to stay on track. When I get to lunch, all I think about is what my next classes will be doing and how I need to plan that in my head so everything goes well. Then I rush through the end of the day, making "to-do" lists about everything I want to accomplish that evening. Usually, those lists revolve around how I will get both my crossfit workout and yoga session into my evening. I work best when I have a lot to do during the day. It keeps me organized and on track. I keep thinking about how I need to earn _______. For example, if I want to eat a good dinner, I need to earn that by running and doing crossfit.
I have a hard time saying "no" to anyone or anything and often find myself trying to cram a million things into my day so I don't let anyone down. Except my husband. I tend to put him last. I am more comfortable saying "no" to him because he gets it and understands. But sometimes I wonder if I am taking advantage of him. I'm sure I am.
Being centered allows us to be calm. And grounded. One way that I have worked on being more centered, and calm, is through yoga and meditation. I have learned to "breathe through" things more. I have learned that just sitting back and taking deep breaths helps me relax. If I shut my eyes and let go, I often realize that so many things are just not that important.
I have also found that my husband helps me redirect. As much as I hate it and resist his advice, he always knows what is right for me. He knows when to tell me to put my phone away and just enjoy the moment. He helps me remember what is important, and what is meaningless. He encourages me to direct my focus toward things that are good and helpful to others. In one hand I push him away because I need to do all these other "things" on my list, and in the other he is just what I need to remind me of my true self and help me become more centered.
------------------------------------------
Over the past 40 days I have been involved in a yoga challenge. But the challenge has also incorporated meditation and journaling. Last week's journal theme in our 40 day yoga challenge group is about centering. Before I start my response to this prompt, let me say that I have put this off for a super long time because I don't know what the hell "centering" even means. In the center? middle? What does that even mean?
So, my mind goes to the chakras that I have been trying to learn more about. The chakras are energy points along the center of our body, starting at the root (your booty) and going all the way to the crown (the top of your head). Does centering mean having all of these chakra points in balance? This is my immediate thought. I know that the root, sacral, and solar plexus are more physical in nature - where I feel stronger. The rest (heart, throat, third eye, and crown) are more emotional and spiritual - where I struggle. To be "centered", I assume I need to work on the latter and become more balanced. Does "centering" mean "balancing" then?
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| Balance |
According to my yoga instructor, there are two things that yoga teaches us we need to do when it comes to centering
1. Don't rush the process
2. Be true to yourself.
Was I totally off? Not completely. I can't rush the process of balancing. And I can't try to be someone I am not. My spirituality may (and probably does) look different than everyone else. And that's ok. I bring up my spirituality because I feel like this is a great way to be true to yourself, no matter your beliefs. I do feel that my beliefs are much different than those that I surround myself with daily. It scares me to even talk about, because I am not the norm. And honestly, it’s something that makes me feel like I can’t connect with others. In the end, though, I need to be true to myself.
Our prompt is to discuss how we find ourselves rushing throughout the day and how we redirect, also what parts of our true self do we gravitate toward as a way to center ourselves and our thoughts/actions. Here I go.....
I find myself rushing through the day to move onto the next event in my day. I rush from class to class, often times improvising, thinking about what NEEDS to get done to stay on track. When I get to lunch, all I think about is what my next classes will be doing and how I need to plan that in my head so everything goes well. Then I rush through the end of the day, making "to-do" lists about everything I want to accomplish that evening. Usually, those lists revolve around how I will get both my crossfit workout and yoga session into my evening. I work best when I have a lot to do during the day. It keeps me organized and on track. I keep thinking about how I need to earn _______. For example, if I want to eat a good dinner, I need to earn that by running and doing crossfit.
I have a hard time saying "no" to anyone or anything and often find myself trying to cram a million things into my day so I don't let anyone down. Except my husband. I tend to put him last. I am more comfortable saying "no" to him because he gets it and understands. But sometimes I wonder if I am taking advantage of him. I'm sure I am.
Being centered allows us to be calm. And grounded. One way that I have worked on being more centered, and calm, is through yoga and meditation. I have learned to "breathe through" things more. I have learned that just sitting back and taking deep breaths helps me relax. If I shut my eyes and let go, I often realize that so many things are just not that important.
I have also found that my husband helps me redirect. As much as I hate it and resist his advice, he always knows what is right for me. He knows when to tell me to put my phone away and just enjoy the moment. He helps me remember what is important, and what is meaningless. He encourages me to direct my focus toward things that are good and helpful to others. In one hand I push him away because I need to do all these other "things" on my list, and in the other he is just what I need to remind me of my true self and help me become more centered.
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