Alright, I admit it. I do yoga about once a week. Over the past couple of years I’ve taken some criticism for it for various reasons, but as a former “gym rat” I always enjoy a good workout. I haven’t graduated up to actually doing it on my own, but who knows what time will bring. Anyway, I went in for my usual Saturday class with the family and had a great workout. The class on Saturday mornings is typically rather full so it can get kind of personal if you sit in the wrong spot. Luckily, I had a corner spot today, but it was still a little too close for comfort.
Once the class was over, I met my “too close neighbor”. Cindy is a mother of one with another one on the way and this is her Saturday morning ritual as well. We talked for a couple of minutes about the class and then I just asked her why she did yoga. She told me that life can get pretty stressful as a stay at home mom (I’m getting a small glimpse at that) and sometimes she just needs the outlet to concentrate and relax. For anyone that’s ever done a yoga class, if you’re not a pro, the classes are anything but relaxing. And I haven’t met too many pros. But, I guess she’s reached that point already.
She kept talking a little on the stresses that life brings and I felt kind of bad because I brought them back up again. Here she is trying to release all the stresses through this practice and less than five minutes later, I’m bringing them back up again. I just tried to encourage her as best I could. I told her a little about my situation and how just because she’s a “stay at home mom” doesn’t mean that she always has to stay at home (the kids have to come with her of course). I just asked her not to isolate herself, but to surround herself with friends and neighbors that could make the stresses a little less burdensome.
One thing I saw today is that, religion aside, we need other people but our tendency is to isolate ourselves. I know I can still put out the alpha male vibe from time to time, but it’s truly humbling when I realize I need others. But on the good side, it’s such a comfort when I allow people in. I’m not too sure if she’ll remember the conversation, but for me, it’s just one more push into community. One more reason to come out of isolation, humble myself, and love the people around me. I don’t need to carry the stresses around with me. So I won’t…
