I found the perfect tool for Zen in my life. It came in the form of an easy-to-read-with-step-by-step-picture book and a DVD called "15 Minute Yoga." Really, who doesn't have 15 minutes for necessary stuff like going to the bathroom, doing another load of laundry, loading or unloading the dishwasher, cleaning up another scrape from a bike crash, etc. Certainly I could find 15 minutes to do yoga.
You can see where this is going, can't you?
One child asleep on the floor, one downstairs practicing the trumpet and two watching T.V. downstairs. Dinner had to be served early because we had plans so my rolls were rising, the steak was cooking on the grill and the beans were steaming. Bad planning? Perhaps, but I still had 40 minutes before dinner.
I pushed PLAY.
Deep breathing, some weird stance, breathing again, checking the steak, running downstairs because someone is crying, another quick stance with head upside down, breathing in and concentrating on my diaphragm, throwing the rolls in the oven, peeking at the steak, laying on the floor and concentrating on my sit bones, 4 year old sitting on my diaphragm, still deep breathing, turn the steak, take out the rolls, turn off the stove, 4 year old on my sit bones, arms straight up, reaching for my toes, 4 year old on my back and climbing to my shoulders, 11 year old wakes up and wants a drink of water, grab a plate and fork and remove steak, another stretch with deep breathing, remember to turn off the grill, 9 year old boy comes wandering up and asks 20 questions regarding what I'm doing, 4 year old doing "Down Dog," cooling off after my strenuous yoga, breathing deeply, count to 10 and I'm finished!
15 Minute Yoga took 41 minutes.
I don't get what all the fuss is about. Yoga is just not that relaxing.
You can see where this is going, can't you?
One child asleep on the floor, one downstairs practicing the trumpet and two watching T.V. downstairs. Dinner had to be served early because we had plans so my rolls were rising, the steak was cooking on the grill and the beans were steaming. Bad planning? Perhaps, but I still had 40 minutes before dinner.
I pushed PLAY.
Deep breathing, some weird stance, breathing again, checking the steak, running downstairs because someone is crying, another quick stance with head upside down, breathing in and concentrating on my diaphragm, throwing the rolls in the oven, peeking at the steak, laying on the floor and concentrating on my sit bones, 4 year old sitting on my diaphragm, still deep breathing, turn the steak, take out the rolls, turn off the stove, 4 year old on my sit bones, arms straight up, reaching for my toes, 4 year old on my back and climbing to my shoulders, 11 year old wakes up and wants a drink of water, grab a plate and fork and remove steak, another stretch with deep breathing, remember to turn off the grill, 9 year old boy comes wandering up and asks 20 questions regarding what I'm doing, 4 year old doing "Down Dog," cooling off after my strenuous yoga, breathing deeply, count to 10 and I'm finished!
15 Minute Yoga took 41 minutes.
I don't get what all the fuss is about. Yoga is just not that relaxing.
My exercise program is done just once weekly...at church on Sunday. I spend three hours walking laps around the inside of the church holding a baby. I might have to try your yoga.
ReplyDeleteFunny stuff! Hard to channel Zen with the boy climbing on you. Perhaps when he's sleeping, you can twist yourself into the pretzel of enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteHA! This sounds like my house. *sigh* One minute to myself is just about impossible.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so much like my workouts! I think I jump on and off my treadmill a hundred times in 30 minutes to catch my little one who is about to climb on!
ReplyDeleteFun blog...just stumbled on it.
Mariel
www.oneshetwoshe.com
In my house I have to be on the watch if I try to get on all fours...if its not the kids running to climb on top of me the dogs are trying to lick my face.
ReplyDeleteRight there with you.
ReplyDeleteI am currently up to 3 minutes a day of 8 Minute Meditation (per book of the same name).
Key: The 3 minutes are not in a row.
I left a new comment on your "Door to Door Salesmen" Post. You are not going to believe it!
ReplyDeleteI can barely do the yoga on my Wii Fit LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL I love it!! That is EXACTLY how it works! Exercise and motherhood seem to be mutually exclusive.
ReplyDeleteYour sunflower piece was still on my reader this morning, I came to comment and it looks like you deleted it. Just thought I'd let you know I loved it. It's good to know success can still happen inside our children despite our shortcomings; and it's good to know bad things can still happen despite our best efforts. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete