About a month ago, I was enjoying a woodsy walk with my mom, when she made a comment that has stuck with me ever since. [Parents seem to have this way of being natural fountains of wise words.] We were strolling through my hometown’s local trail, better known as “the valley,” a place that has been home to moments ranging from marathon training runs to wedding proposals. It is quiet and scenic, though that isn’t a difficult achievement in much of Connecticut.
My mother and I chatted under the trees, keeping up a brisk pace, warming ourselves with light, but still get-your-blood-flowing movement. Of course, I still have to smile when I walk without pain in my knees, and so, the topic came up in conversation. We mused about possible causes for the mostly reduced pain, and though we discussed the many remedies I tried, I kept coming back to one: yoga.
I bet that’s not a surprise. :)
As I commented that my muscles needed yoga’s stretch to keep the strain of tightness off my knees, as I mentioned that they needed the strength it builds to keep my kneecaps moving properly, as I mentioned that I needed something that made me feel awake, alive, humble, and powerful all at once, my mother said:
“So, I guess you’re in it for life.”
i think i’m into these colorful foods for life, too.
I’ve heard those words every day since she spoke them.
Without sounding too new-agey, I really feel that yoga has been they key factor in healing my injury. Last week, when I suddenly, as though it was completely natural, lifted up into an almost full wheel for the first time, I wondered, “When did this happen? Where did this strength come from?” It didn’t come from physical therapy, medical equipment, or the steroids my doctor failed to convince me to take. It came, quite simply, from a few hours a week on a mat.
I’ve realized when I don’t get enough yoga, my body can tell. It isn’t a feeling of want, the way I might desire the sweat of exercise [though that is always a nice craving, and one I feel often]. Instead, it is a necessity. For me, there is no walking without yoga. There is no climbing stairs. There is no running. There is no dancing. There is no movement. And as a city dweller, without movement, there is no life.
So, while I often say my future is uncertain, when it comes to yoga, I believe in my mother’s words. My body needs it; my mind wants it; and if I’ve come this far in six months, I can only imagine where I’ll be in six years. In it for life sounds perfect to me.
Is there an aspect of your lifestyle that you’re “in for life?” A form of exercise? A style of eating? A career? A relationship?
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I’m committing the rest of my life to feeling as good as I do now, in life rich with love, healthful & beautiful foods, and plenty of yoga and serene walks. Hopefully I will feel as fulfilled (and be as successful) with my future career :) love this post sweetheart!
beautiful description of the walk with your mom. i like what she said too! i think it’s really cool to be in certain things for life – it makes them a part of your identity & character. i’ve never tried yoga, hah! but you make me really want to. my boyfriend got really into it awhile ago and experienced all of the benefits you talked about. & i could probably realllyyy use some, i run a lot :P
i think i’m into art, photography, writing & the computer for life :)
♥
Being proactive about my health = in it for life.
I’ve already seen progress in my yoga this past month and a half…it’s exciting to think about what will happen in 6 years! I’m glad that yoga has brought you so much strength, I too am enjoying the benefits.
ah! i love this post so much. i am definitely in this health food trend for life. i love healthy foods, and im all about sharing with other people. i had the best conversation with this guy in my math class about hummus today! ha! lots of love.
I don’t think it’s new agey to think of yoga as a healing power. I’m in it for life too :) And I’ve only really begun!
Well I am definitely in it for life with my husband, and also with balance. I strive every day to achieve it with food, exercise, work, family, fun, and I hope I continue to perfect that balance!
Sorting through life until I’m happy with what I do: in it to win it!
caring for myself and accepting myself and my body i am in it for life. more now than ever. because i only have one body to live in
what a beautiful post! i LOVE it!! i just started doing yoga MORE regularly and its soo addicting!!!
LOVE your posts leslie– so well written :) the pic is beautiful as well :) this is my new blog by teh way xoxoxo
Thank you for your heart felt comment on my blog which led me to your beautiful blog.
Yes, I am into yoga for life. Yoga is an essential part of who I am and my life would not be complete without it.
Great post. I find that so many clients of mine are (even if they don’t know it) trying some radical form of veganism or raw that isn’t sustainable as a “daily experience” — something they can do, not just this week or month, but forever. It’s important to find habits for life.
As for me: Oh, so many things! I’m nothing if not boringly consistent. Yoga, veganism, mostly raw, New York City, health work, book work, opera-going, reading, taking care of my Mom.
What a beautiful post and what a thought provoking question. I love yoga and I hope to do it forever, but the thought of declaring that I am committed to something for life scares me a bit, as I have no idea what the future will bring. But I can say that my body and I are in it for life together, and I am committed to taking care of it the best way I know how, whatever that means at a given time.
I’m in a relationship for life :) And I have a healthy lifestyle that I hope I will always have. And I recently discovered yoga.So,I think I’m in a lot of things for life, and that fact is really comforting :)
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[...] need to be. Our bodies are fascinating living things. Let’s give them some credit. And as Leslie said, we’re in it for life, so we better take good care of our [...]