Reflections from the Mat: February to May 2018

February 2018

Today in my yoga class, my teacher asked us to make an intention.  I thought to myself, stop trying to control things and just let things flow.  Recently with lots of changes, I cling to control because it feels like the only thing that I have power over.  But in trying to control unimportant things like waking up early, my plans for the week, what am I going to eat that doesn’t fuck up my digestive track, I lose the joy of life.  Things that I enjoy like yoga become part of a regimented routine instead of a practice of connection.

What I decided this week in meditation after the last few weeks of being upset about Mario leaving to Amsterdam is a feeling of excitement.  So much of life I have experienced new things.  I have lived in new places and faced small challenges like not having friends to just hang out on a Friday night and watch a stupid movie.  

At the same time, these new experiences are what make me feel alive because it makes me realize that I am just a tiny part of a huge world.  Living in Peru the last 2 years has been a huge challenge.  But I realize that days like today when the power goes out in my neighborhood is not such a big deal.  Walking up and down 10 flights of stairs with groceries from the farmer’s market across the street, I joke to neighbor, “vamos a hacer mucho ejercicio hoy!”  I’ve learned how to make the most out of situations that before would have made me so annoyed.  

May 2018

When I think of the adventures that lie ahead and leaving behind a job that I truly care about, I realize that what I am most grateful for in this moment is myself.  A healthy body and spirit that has learned how to grow at each challenge that comes my way.  After many adventures traveling around the world and connecting with many people, I have grown a sense of faith in knowing that everything will be alright.  If I have learned anything in my last two years living in Peru, I have learned that there are so many special people in this world living in conditions that are so challenging with barely running water and electricity.  Yet, through the hardships and challenges, these people rely on each other, their community and their family.

As I look out into my next few months ahead, the anxiety and fear has started to fade.  I am starting to enjoy the journey and let go.  I am excited to travel for the next few months and end back in San Francisco with my boyfriend in July.   I have already enrolled into a Yoga Teacher Training which I will be taking in Yoga Garden and look forward to focusing on myself.  Yoga has been a constant in my life for the last 5 years and though I am still dealing with an injury, I am excited to really take a break from working and commit to personal growth.  Although I am exploring a few job opportunities once I step back into the “real world”, I have faith that the right opportunity will show itself in time.  Until that day comes, I just need to remember to enjoy the next few months because life is way too precious to not be present in each moment. 

Here are a few yoga pics from my trip last month with my closest friends and my sis!

And some other pics just because...!