I have an on and off relationship with yoga. When we’re together and see each other often, it gets hot and heavy on my mat, I feel more at ease, I sleep better, I’m happier. When we’re apart, I miss it and reminisce about our time together, but also feel overwhelmed at the idea of hanging out again. But there’s always a reason that I stopped. Sometimes it’s schedule. Sometimes it’s laziness. More often than not, it’s price. Yoga is expensive. Especially in the Bay area. You know what else is expensive? Spending time being unhappy, unhealthy, and overwhelmed. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. I still can’t really do an upward dog, and chatarungas get skipped more often than they get done, but it was my time. Me and the mat. Setting an intention. Letting the anxiety of the day and the exhaustion of my own emotions out and leaving them on the mat. Plus I’d be sweating like no one’s business when I was done. (Hello, glowing skin and healthy hair!) I wanted yoga back.
So, I got creative about it. When I was funemployed, I would do odd jobs here and there. I did some social media work for a glamping and biking company, I managed an app for an actress, I drove for Uber and Lyft, and I started cleaning at a yoga studio. The yoga studio job was pretty simple–I would clean for an hour and a half a week–and would get an unlimited membership for super cheap. Maybe I could do the same thing here? Turns out, I could, and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to give it a go!
Yesterday was my first shift at the studio. And my first hot yoga class in almost a year. It was tough. It was sweaty. It was relaxing. I’m sore. And I got great sleep last night. If you’re looking for a way to bring yoga, or whatever form of exercise you love, back in your life, go do it. You’re worth it. Your physical needs are worth it. Your mental needs are absolutely worth it. I don’t know what took me so long, but I hope this time, my relationship with yoga is one for keeps.
