The Hum Sah Chronicles
The “Don’t Do” List
September is here and autumn with its hectic busy-ness is just around the corner. Autumn is the season of Vata, characterized by a dry, cold feeling of restlessness. And with school starting, families and students find themselves on a roller coaster that they can’t get off. Buzzing with activity, we find ourselves running around frantically, trying to get everything done on our ever-expanding “to-do” lists. That’s why I decided to come up with a “don’t-do” list. For everything I shouldn’t be doing, like “don’t freak out in the morning when your husband makes you oatmeal without the raisins, cinnamon and ginger you asked for”.
Having a “to-do” list feels like having a deadline looming over my head for the day. Which is not a nice feeling. And I usually end up putting things on this list that aren’t very important, like “get rubber-soled socks for Lucy”. (You see, she’s running all over the place and the floor is getting cold now, but I don’t want her to slip.) Having this on paper has an unusual effect, so that “getting rubber-soled socks for Lucy” becomes more urgent and pressing than “being” with my daughter Lucy. Who really needs me to just “be” there for her, rather than worrying about when I’m going to “get those rubber-soled socks” for her.
So I tried an experiment and put these things off. Don’t do this, and don’t do that. Letting the day just flow along, and meeting each moment for what it is. And guess what? I found myself relieved to be able to trust my feelings a bit more. Once I heard a wise meditation teacher say, that when making a decision about something you’re feeling unsure of, or apprehensive about, to put it off until the last minute. That way, you don’t give your anal retentive logical brain a chance to worry to death over things which you have no control. Being grounded in your yoga and meditation practice helps a lot, too.
Even when it comes to planning “big” things, like Lucy’s first birthday party. I’m actually not going to make a list. I’ve decided my intuitive, creative brain is going to take over and do the delegating. The logical, organized brain is going to be doing something else, which my creative brain hasn’t thought of quite yet. Maybe deciding what kind of sandwiches and side dishes to get for my family? Who knows. But am I worried? Nope. For in the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” What’s on your “don’t do” list?
The “Don’t Do” List
September is here and autumn with its hectic busy-ness is just around the corner. Autumn is the season of Vata, characterized by a dry, cold feeling of restlessness. And with school starting, families and students find themselves on a roller coaster that they can’t get off. Buzzing with activity, we find ourselves running around frantically, trying to get everything done on our ever-expanding “to-do” lists. That’s why I decided to come up with a “don’t-do” list. For everything I shouldn’t be doing, like “don’t freak out in the morning when your husband makes you oatmeal without the raisins, cinnamon and ginger you asked for”.
Having a “to-do” list feels like having a deadline looming over my head for the day. Which is not a nice feeling. And I usually end up putting things on this list that aren’t very important, like “get rubber-soled socks for Lucy”. (You see, she’s running all over the place and the floor is getting cold now, but I don’t want her to slip.) Having this on paper has an unusual effect, so that “getting rubber-soled socks for Lucy” becomes more urgent and pressing than “being” with my daughter Lucy. Who really needs me to just “be” there for her, rather than worrying about when I’m going to “get those rubber-soled socks” for her.
So I tried an experiment and put these things off. Don’t do this, and don’t do that. Letting the day just flow along, and meeting each moment for what it is. And guess what? I found myself relieved to be able to trust my feelings a bit more. Once I heard a wise meditation teacher say, that when making a decision about something you’re feeling unsure of, or apprehensive about, to put it off until the last minute. That way, you don’t give your anal retentive logical brain a chance to worry to death over things which you have no control. Being grounded in your yoga and meditation practice helps a lot, too.
Even when it comes to planning “big” things, like Lucy’s first birthday party. I’m actually not going to make a list. I’ve decided my intuitive, creative brain is going to take over and do the delegating. The logical, organized brain is going to be doing something else, which my creative brain hasn’t thought of quite yet. Maybe deciding what kind of sandwiches and side dishes to get for my family? Who knows. But am I worried? Nope. For in the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” What’s on your “don’t do” list?
About Heidi:
Heidi discovered yoga as a way to center and ground herself and connect with others when she began teaching young children in NYC in the late 90’s. Her practice started at Jivamukti where she trainined with Sharon Gannon and David Life, her first and most honored teachers, and expanded to include Alan Finger, Shiva Rea, and Molly Kenny. She completed her Jivamukti training in 2009. As a school teacher Heidi loved bringing yoga into her classroom. Now that she’s a mom, she finds herself inspired by her daughter to delve deeper into child development and teaching fun, creative yoga classes for families. She loves the balance of teaching little ones and adults. Her motto is to find the middle path. Heidi credits yoga for keeping her balanced and sane, and loves the journey! Heidi lives in Silver Spring with her daughter Lucy and husband Pasha.
Heidi teaches Gentle Jivamukti Thursdays at 8:00 PM and Lil Omm Movers Tues at 10:30 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment