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When I told my 10 year old niece that I had bought Vans hightops (she had a pair of Converse), she said “good luck getting those on”😂

She wasn’t wrong.

I wanted a fun pair of sneakers for summer & found these on FB marketplace – they were a bargain. But unlacing them, so I could relace them, so I could wear them, I wondered if maybe I had made a mistake. It’s a lot of laces.

But…after that first time…I developed a system…which sounds like a ridiculous thing to say. They do take longer to get on than slipons & other “regular” lace up shoes. But it’s not a big deal.

It got me thinking, obviously. What is the big deal? I (kind of) get it with my 10 year old niece. She’s 10. 5 minutes is like a lifetime, especially if you want to get out to play. But maybe that’s where it starts? Because at 56 years old, if I can’t take 2 minutes to lace up my shoes? If I can’t wait patiently in the check out line at the grocery store? 

Yoga helps a lot with patience. I’m know I’ve talked about it in class…are you rushing into the pose, just so you can rush out. Are you rushing into class just so you can rush out? What is the rush? Just to get to the next thing? And then the next? Where does it end?

I love the sneakers. They’re fun. I don’t mind the extra.

The other day, I emptied the dishwasher. It is one of my least favorite tasks to do in my home…actually I think it is my least favorite. I avoid it. I would rather handwash a sink full of dirty dishes (we have a 17 year old – our sink gets full a lot) than empty the dishwasher. At any early age, our son was assigned this task as one of his responsibilities. No matter what I tell myself…that it’s a luxury, that we’re lucky to have one, that it only takes 5 minutes…I still avoid it.

But, I emptied the dishwasher. As I finished, I thought “what’s the big deal?” Because it isn’t, right? Because it does only take a few minutes & it is a luxury & it’s easy to do it.

I realized I have probably put more effort into avoiding emptying the dishwasher than is required to actually empty it.

How often does that happen to you? 

Maybe you avoid emptying the dishwasher too:) But really, I’m talking about other stuff. The stuff we go to great lengths to avoid. The stuff that takes a lot of effort to avoid. The stuff we don’t want to deal with. Sometimes it’s external stuff, like the dishwasher & people or situations. But so often, it’s internal. 

THIS is what makes the yoga practice so challenging. You can only avoid chatarunga for so long before you realize, it’s not the pose you’re avoiding – it’s a part yourself that you’re avoiding. As a culture – we’re good at avoiding. We’ve set ourselves up (with distractions at the tips of our fingers) so we can avoid ourselves.

But you get on your mat & there you are. Inevitably, if you’re going to stick with the practice, you have to stop avoiding. It’s challenging. It might even be scary at times.

But is it worth it? You tell me.

On Saturday in class, I talked about “The Murph”. It was an idea I had – something that was in in my head before class. But full disclosure – it wasn’t fully formed. That happens sometimes when I’m teaching. Sometimes I let the idea settle back down for another day. But on Saturday, I ran with it.

If you don’t know what the Murph is, it’s a Crossfit thing – I think it’s pretty cool. I had friend who was doing it on Saturday & another friend who owns Crossfit & they were doing it. I think all Crossfit gyms do it on Memorial Day weekend. It sounds hard: 1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 pushups, 300 squats, 1 mile run. With a weighted vest, if you choose. It’s done in honor of a soldier, Micheal Murphy, who gave his life in a effort to save fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. It was his “regular” workout. Crossfit gyms picked it up as a way to honor him & everyone who has served our country. That’s why they do it on Memorial Day weekend (remember, that’s why we have Memorial Day – to remember the folks who died in service of our country).

Anyway…back to Saturday’s class.. If you were in class & couldn’t figure out why the heck I was telling you about the Murph…

Like I said, it was in my head – just an idea. The Spirit of it – it’s importance.

We had a couple new people in class that morning – they clearly had not expected class to be what it was (Saturday morning Power Flow!). It looked like they thought it was hard (like the Murph). But they weren’t alone. I was moved when I saw the folks next to the new people help them out – show them how to use a block, give them encouragement. Even more than that – we were all in it together. Moving at your own pace, on your own mat, with your own intention…but with a shared intention to practice together, to connect & support each other (like all the people who do the Murph – at their own pace, in their own gym, but with a shared intention). 

So that’s it. Whether it’s yoga or Crossfit or whatever you do – we’re all in this together.

We can’t do this thing called life without each other.

I think it’s good to remember that today & every day.

Where does the time go? I posted yesterday…15 years of Sanctuary & our son just turned 17. Some of you undoubtedly remember him as a small 2 year old, when I first opened Sanctuary. Now, at 6 feet, he towers over me:)

A few people have asked me about Sanctuary – did it fly by? Does it seem like forever? In both cases (the studio & our son), I don’t really know. I think it’s a little of both. I’m grateful for my yoga & meditation practice – they help me be present during all of it.

When I look back – at all the milestones in the studio & his (our) life, all the shifts & changes that have happened – 15 years is a a good chunk of time. Some moments seem like they were ages ago & others feel like just yesterday.

I generally refrain from giving expecting & new parents advice, but I do like to encourage them to do their best to be present & enjoy the moment (even when it’s rough)…because babies/kids shift & change pretty quickly. So does life. When you’re in the thick of it & it feels like it’ll never end & you can’t wait to get out of it…take a breath…soften. Before you know it, it’ll be 15 years later.

Thank you to everyone who has been & is a part of our Community. There’s been ebb & flow – life shifts – people come & go. My heart is full. This could easily turn into another blog about how much joy being present with all of you on & off the mat brings me. I am so grateful for all of you & your support.