There was a time when I thought of yoga as something I saved for my time on the mat or yoga studio. But with continued practice and study, yoga becomes an integral part of life. From how to sit at the desk, how to handle a difficult situation at work, or how to handle a confrontation with a loved one, the teachings of yoga become welcome tools in handling all the day-to-day activities of life.
I went camping with my husband last fall with plans of doing yoga daily in the pristine wilderness. I had a mat, a pair of blocks, blankets, and the willingness to practice all packed and ready to go.
It turned out to be a rainy trip, and although there were breaks in the rain, the ground was far too muddy to spread out the mat, and the tent was too small to allow a proper practice.
I’m sorry to report, I just kind of gave up. I knew I’d catch up when I got home. I’d be getting plenty of exercise without yoga what with our hiking and canoeing and hauling equipment. But after several days of laying off my practice, my body and spirit began to tell on me.
The drive home proved to be uncomfortable. My body was not only tired of car riding, but the lack of yoga had rendered my muscles stiff and my spirit cranky.
When we made a stop at a gas station, I gladly spilled out of the car to move. I struck a couple of poses at the local Chevron in Boone, North Caroline as we headed out of town. At the next stop, I added a couple more. By the time we got home, I had completed a pretty well-rounded practice. My body began to feel the lovely effects of yoga work, and my spirit felt light and happy.
Yes, yoga is wonderful out in nature, your favorite yoga studio, or your happy yoga spot at home, but don’t let not having the perfect setting stop you. Yoga at the Chevron is definitely better than no yoga at all. I’m walking, happy proof of that!