wabi sabi of today

My breathing slowed, my body fell still, the world paused, and all of the negativity seeped into the ground beneath me.

This morning in relaxation pose, I couldn't help but feel so grateful for the peace I've found through my yoga practice. It's not the first time either. I discovered yoga at 13. I was wandering through the Discovery Store on one of my girlfriend and I's many weekend trips to the mall and I stumbled upon A.M. and P.M. Yoga. My friend and I each bought a set with our allowance money. We both started to practice before school and before bed. I've been in love with the centering postures, breathing exercises, and Hindu philosophies ever since.

In a very appropriate Women's Health article I was reading recently, Los Angeles yoga instructor, Rainbeau Mars says, 

"Breakups often stir up emotions that can throw us off-center, leaving us vulnerable, insecure, doubting, scared, and even angry. There is nothing more important than staying grounded, and finding a sense of safety and security despite the emotional rollercoaster."

For me, the source of that perspective has, and will probably always be, in yoga. (The article, by the way, has some amazing routines no matter what your relationship status.) Every now and then I fall into running, and I always seem to be proud when I do. I appreciate challenging myself, building my endurance, and finding that familiar mental quietness in each stride. But my stints with running are just that, little flings that come and go, and so yoga is my constant. 

Since I had today off of work, I was able to attend a Power Yoga class with one of my favorite instructors at NYSC. Although I oftentimes hang on every word she says, today she said something especially meaningful: "Let go, be present, you are exactly where you are meant to be, right now."

Through the past decade of my yoga practice (oh gosh, saying that makes me feel old, haha) I have lived a life that is either nostalgic for the past or expectant for the future. Overall it's been a pretty good one. But I do believe that there's value in just being, in just enjoying the greatness that is today, in allowing yourself to fall into that place where you are supposed to be. I am making the conscious choice to adjust my thoughts accordingly.

Nevertheless, it's much easier to be present when you're pleasantly situated on cloud 9. And so I re-read another self-relevant article in Whole Living, Wabi Sabi Your Life: 6 Strategies for Embracing Imperfection. The first is Humble Virtues. "To illustrate: Wabi sabi is asymmetrical heirloom vegetables and handmade pottery, crow's feet and the frayed sleeves of a favorite wool sweater, exposed brick and the first draft of a difficult letter." The second is Abandoning Perfect. Richard Powell told the author, "Accepting the world as imperfect, unfinished, and transient, and then going deeper and celebrating that reality, is something not unlike freedom."

The trick is to apply the two to the way we live in relationships, food, home, beauty, closets, and work. A favorite blog of mine, Design*Sponge, recently spoke of Wabi Sabi (albeit with more of a focus on decor, of course). "An offshoot of Zen Buddhism, wabi-sabi essentially refers to a profound and abiding appreciation for the transient, fleeting beauty that pervade the natural world..."

Yesterday, I woke up on my favorite holiday of the year feeling grateful for every part of my life. As I tweeted, "I'm thankful for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without it, I wouldn't be here right now: so happy on Thanksgiving." I sent holiday wishes to the incredible friends that have kept me afloat throughout my life, and was astounded to find that the number exceeded two dozen. I spent my day surrounded by wonderful family, knowing that each one of them loves me unconditionally, and always would. I ate delectable food, drank fabulous wine, and I was grateful for being so blessed. Mmm, apple crisp...

Then I came back to this blog. I read through my therapeutic saga and the phenomenal response that continues to make opening up, sharing my life, and revealing it in it's supreme imperfectness, an absolute pleasure for which I am eternally thankful. I cannot even express  how overwhelmed with comforting bliss I was. And yet, I know that I won't that happy every day. That's okay and probably a good thing, because gosh, that'd be annoying. Wouldn't it? ;)

For the next month, and perhaps longer than that, I am going to end each post like a photographic gratitude journal. It'll be the first of it's kind (although I've certainly read more than enough material about it's de-stressing powers) and I don't doubt that it'll be a positive addition for the both of us. A transcript from Oprah radio reads, "As more of your thoughts and words become positive, you'll start attracting more positive people and circumstances." The best is yet to come, my friends, and even though I may have not eaten any turkey yesterday, I wouldn't have wanted to be resting in a traditional food coma with anyone but mi familia. My little brother may have been missing, (and missed), but we will all be reunited soon. And today, with the calm of yoga freshly running through my veins and thoughts, I am feeling more than content to run errands, clean my room, and help my parents decorate the house for Christmas. Take care!