Shrinking your world

Maybe you are borrowing a mat while you figure out if yoga is your “thing”. Maybe it was a gift from a friend who “discovered” yoga before you did. Maybe it was carefully selected by you for its rich color and optimum stickiness. It doesn’t matter, it’s a mat. Now imagine that this is your world, contained in the four straight sides and four neat corners. Life can be overwhelming. Life is hard. Shrink your life down to a manageable size, and see what can happen. Within the walls of your mat, you can rest, stretch, release, strengthen, grieve, celebrate, and grow. Imagine that you have everything you need here: support, warmth, balance, and breath. Just for a time, allow yourself to spend time gathering all these elements, and give yourself time to respond to what bubbles up. I grew up in a busy and artistic household. Books, permissions slips, musical instruments, and school supplies all within easy reach in an active kitchen. My mother claimed that success was achieved by simply getting the kitchen table cleared of the clutter and supplied with warm comforting dishes. The food could be blessed, a meal could be shared, and with a dimming of the overhead light, the rest of the room could fall away. I have followed suit. I have decided that kids artwork, creative pursuits, and works in progress are part of our family’s landscape. No need to hide anything away. As the family gathers, and lights are dimmed, we have all that we need around the table. The clutter takes on a campy, eclectic look, and I give thanks for the busy life with which we have been blessed. Gather yourself on your mat, shrink life down for a time, and dim the lights on the busy and crazy life that belongs to you. Take what you need. It’s all right here.