There is something that’s been troubling me lately. I feel as though I’m beginning to spiral down into a negative pattern which goes against everything I believe in and against everything I know is good for me. Ever more frequently I have the sensation that I have less time to carry out a complete yoga routine or do sports and as a result my body cries out to me demanding more attention and letting me know about pains which I had barely noticed before.
Stress, that overshadowing presence overpowers me and takes hold of me and I feel as if I’m no longer truly aware, but I don’t want to punish myself. In fact, I mustn’t punish myself because aspiring to perfection only creates anxiety and dissatisfaction and taking care of ourselves not only outwardly but also inwardly means we must also learn to be forgiving and accepting of ourselves, doesn’t it? Like the old expression goes, “the shoemaker’s son always walks barefoot”.
With this said I’m more than happy to share with you a short yoga stretching routine which helps me to fight against this “stress mode” I sometimes experience, helping me to detox from all that physical and mental stress that tries to overpower me but which I fight against even if I only have 10 minutes.
I would like to tell you how I use this small capsule of stretching exercises. I like to take it in the morning just after I wake up to loosen up and prepare me to face the rest of the day with more energy and with a freshened up back bone, helping to heal my back whenever I start to feel any pain. I often notice these pains after too many hours sitting in front of the computer or in meetings, in studios during a photo shoot while I’m balancing on high heels or even when I’m carrying the little ones in my arms… I also resort to it after doing fitness or sports like paddle. It’s really important to remember that strong and flexible muscles don’t only recover and heal better they are less prone to injury too.
If you feel identified with my experience, if you can’t find the time to look after yourself or you just want to add a few extra touches to your routine, I encourage you to add this series of stretches to your healthy habits and see not only how your body reacts but also your spirit.
I hope that something so small may help you as much as it helps me.
V
