Finding the Balance in a Place Called Happy Mommy

I can't thank everyone enough for your kind words and support on my decision to cut back on my blog a bit to find the balance in not only creating a happy place for my family but a happy place for myself too. It is so important that we can all step outside of what is running through our heads at a 1000MPH and see how it is truly effecting not only ourselves but all of those close to us.

Wednesday, after I posted that blog, I went to a yin yoga class with one of my closest friends. She actually bought me a few classes at her gym on one of those amazing Living Social deals. We have participated in a few different styles of yoga that her gym offers but for some reason after writing that post, I got more out of the yin yoga class than I ever had before.

Source: google.com via Andra on Pinterest

Yin yoga is a practice where you focus on opening your ligaments, focus on your breathing and clear everything out of your mind. You hold poses for 2-5 minutes depending on the intensity and you seriously have to dump everything out of your head to hold the poses that long. It is all about being...being there...not being at the racetrack in your head...but being in touch with how your body works.

The instructor coaches you along in a soothing voice. She reminds you that you are there for one hour and fifteen minutes of "me" time. There is relaxing music playing in the background. There are very lightly scented candles burning.

It is the only time that I find that I can truly shut everything off. Yes, you read that correctly. I am not one of those people who ever shuts things off. I used to say that I should be paid overtime for all of the work I did in my sleep.

I can shut out the world in this class. I can feel the energy move from place to place in my body with each change of pose. I can feel relaxed enough to giggle (and possibly snort) when I think about even trying to put my body into the pose just shown in example. I can settle my thoughts enough to get into that very pose. I can calm my breathing to work through the intensity of holding that very pose. I can do it.

I can do it and it feel incredible afterwards. I walk out feeling stronger, lighter, cleaner and refreshed. I can walk out knowing that for one hour and 15 minutes I put myself first. I can now realize that it doesn't mean that I'm being selfish...

It means that I am finding the balance in a place called "Happy Mommy".

What do you do to feel recharged and less stressed? Have you ever tried Yin Yoga?

P.S. Melanie, Thank you for this AMAZING gift that is so much more than just exercise! xo!