Evolve Fitness

I meditate everyday. I prepare my mediation space each morning with the diligence of a Tibetan monk. The meditation cushion must be in the same spot, facing the same direction. I prepare a candle and settle in for a hopeful moment of peace and quiet from my neurotic self.

I am, like many people, neurotic and trend that very fine line of obsessive compulsive quite well. Perhaps it’s more of a need to control and preferring things done my way which is, of course, the right way. But I am quite neurotic about order, structure, routine (oh, routine how I love a good routine!) and learning to meditate has been a challenging yet rewarding experience.

It is quite an interesting combination of being a free-spirited yoga instructor and control freak. For instance, the other day I was preparing to start a yoga class and as I was lovingly looking around the room at my students, I noticed some extra straps and blocks were left out of the equipment storage area. My free spirited self floated right out of that room. I promptly got up and had to put the equipment away before I could begin. Just the idea of something out of place sends chills down to my spine.

So, you can see how meditating is an interesting development for me. I suffer from what a fellow yoga instructor calls “monkey mind” which means as soon as I close my eyes my mind turns on – full volume. To-do lists begin to emerge, ideas for dinner, what I’m going to wear the next day, anytime and everything begins to fill up my once empty mind. From then on out forget about it.

I have had to learn to compromise with my mind to give a bit of time of serenity by actually telling it that “I hear you but can you give me 15 minutes of quiet so I may concentrate – I will come right back to you?” I’ve started watching my caffeine in-take prior to meditating (yes, I’m serious about meditation) and preparing my meditation area to be as peaceful as possible. But the most important thing I’m learning is to not try and control my mind, or neurotic ways, but to accept and embrace them. I mean, they are apart of me so why can’t they join me for meditating too. Some days are just blissful and I feel as though I’m floating through a sky of calm, quiet and peace. Other days it’s like trying to control a three-year old wound up on sugar. I embrace both days equally as well as neurotic self because isn’t that meditation is suppose to be about? Learning to accept yourself and opening yourself up to your inner self.

This past November, I attended a weekend meditation workshop at Yoga Centers in Bellevue, WA. It was an intense workshop, yet quite a spiritual awakening for me. We were given numerous bits of information and of everything we were given, this poem has meant the most to me. Little did I know at the time, I needed this poem as a reminder that there is always work yet to be done. When I meditate in the mornings, I will read this poem to set my intention for the day to continue my journey to change. So, as you read this poem (maybe a few times) think about how it relates to aspects of your life and where you can incorporate some change starting today.

Change by Savitri of Yoga Centers

If . . .

You think the way you’ve always thought, you’ll feel the way you’ve always felt . . .

If . . .

You feel the way you’ve always felt, you’ll do what you’ve always done . . .

And . . .

If . . .

You do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got!

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and . . .

Change, Change Change.

We’ve all done it – made a New Year’s Resolution that we don’t keep. Every year we tell ourselves we will do better but it doesn’t happen. What is keeping you from achieving your annual goal(s)? Is it lack of motivation, interest or intention? Setting an intention to change, or create a better you is huge part in the process of self improvement. Instead of resolving to lose weight, eat more veggies or spend more time with your family, set the intention to do so. Write it down and put is someplace that you will see often to remind you of your intention to be a better self. Don’t look at it as a means of changing yourself, just becoming a better you. Let’s keep each other on track this year with setting intentions rather than resolutions. Tell me what thing(s) you intend to improve upon this year.

I intend on being more grateful for all things in my life, good and bad. I have even started a gratitude journal to remind myself of the reasons I am grateful. Each morning, before I meditate, I look through my journal to remind myself how truly blessed I am.

Are you looking to bring more balance to your life? Well, aren’t we all to some extent? Here, we will discuss and learn about ways to bring balance to our life so our mind, body and spirit will work together in harmony.