Today is Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Yoga and Blogging: A Zen Connection

The concept of “Zen” is all about enlightenment, and I guess one wouldn’t ordinarily link Blogging and Yoga together as forms of zen. In my case, however, these two things have converged in an interesting way.

I’ll explain: I’ve found my blogging experience to be most enlightening for many, many reasons - the learning, the writing, the expression, the relationships, etc. Blogging is Zen.

Yoga is all about Zen and discovering yourself. My wife has been involved with yoga for several years now and just recently became a certified teacher (yeah!).

As she was being trained I toyed with the idea of taking yoga lessons myself - my exercise had become limited to 30 minutes on a treadmill a few days a week, when I was home (on the road it was nonexistent). It looked pretty hard so I held off. And held off. And held off.

Finally, last weekend I decided to take the plunge, and my wife very ably and wonderfully delivered my first yoga lesson.

It was hard. Some of these positions put my body in places it hasn’t been for probably 30 years. It probably was comical.

But somewhere in that lesson I saw it - the elegance of it, the poetry in motion (not me just yet!), the ability to hit virtually all the important muscle groups with such smooth and fascinating motions (no jumping jacks here). I could see how it can get someone in great shape.

Bam! Enlightenment, Part 2.

OK, I know it was only one lesson. But I’m going to try to stick with it and see what happens.

I’ll keep you posted!

There Are 10 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Rick Cockrum on 5 June 2007:

Congratulations to your wife! And to you for taking the plunge.

Yoga is much better than jumping jacks.
Comment by Terry Starbucker on 6 June 2007:

Rick, you got that right!

Thanks for stopping by, and all the best.
Comment by Dean on 6 June 2007:

I started doing yoga because my wife thought it would help me in more than just one way. Tried it and have loved it for 3 years. Am in a bit of a slump right now since I fractured my arm biking. Can’t wait to return.

Hope you continued enjoyment of your yoga.

My wife has also become a yoga instructor. Congrats to your wife on her accomplishments.

Namaste
Comment by SimpleRich on 6 June 2007:

Whoa, nice timing. I started yoga again after a long break this past weekend and am enjoying it as well… must be something limber in the air.

Best of luck to you and I hope you enjoy it and stick with it.
Comment by Terry Starbucker on 8 June 2007:

Hi Dean and Rich, thanks for your comments.

Dean, sounds like we have a lot in common, especially now since I’ve taken up yoga. Small world!

Rich, as they say, “timing is everything”!
Thanks too for your good wishes.

All the best to you both.
Comment by Open Eyes Blinded By The Knowledge Of All That Is on 9 June 2007:

Ahhhh… I love yoga, I’ve had my kids doing it from the time they could stand up on their own! I hope your journey enlightens you in many, many ways…
Comment by dharmamama on 9 June 2007:

My sister has had a yoga practice for about a year, now and the most striking change I’ve seen in her is her outlook and perspective. She’s become much more open-minded, compassionate and in touch with her own self. I think it’s funny yoga was first seen as “sinful” when it was first brought to the US.
Comment by Terry Starbucker on 9 June 2007:

Hi Leigh and Dharmamama, thanks for stopping by.

Leigh, thanks for your words of encouragement. I like your blog, by the way (great title!).

Dharmamama, it is truly funny how some things can be looked upon so differently - it’s always such a matter of perspective. I really like the self-awareness factor of yoga - this should be a facinating journey!

All the best to you both!
Comment by Asia on 12 June 2007:

Hey, Terry! Congrats on getting into yoga. Be prepared - it changes you in ways you may not have expected. I finally left corporate communications and marketing for it last year. I’m now a full-time yogi and I’ve never found it to be a dry well.

If you or your wife have questions or would like to swap stories, my blog is http://www.pranalife.typepad.com. Best to you both!
Comment by Terry Starbucker on 13 June 2007:

Asia, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the heads up on what may be in store for me on my Yoga journey. My wife’s experience sounds very similar to yours - it has changed her life, so much for the better. We will certainly check out your blog. All the best!