"What do you need today, kid?"

I was glancing around the internet (haven't had much time for that lately!) and read this quote, 

"What do you need today, kid?"

Oh I had to write it down and then I took special notice of it! Because today was one of those days.

It started with me teaching a 6:45am class, then heading to a morning meeting with a dear friend, then heading to work, teaching another class, doing more work and gulping down lunch, teaching another class, looking at the clock and freaking out at the time, doing more work and then coming home. To open the computer and get online again. Yep. One of those days.

So when I read this quote, I stopped. I switched off the work email. I opened up the blog. I read some emails from friends, responded to some texts from the women in my life who I've not been in touch with enough lately. I sat down on the couch and put my feet up.

You know, it's really busy at work. So so busy. But then I realised that I don't work alone - there are many other people at work with me. And I bet those people aren't at home right now working on their emails and getting through the night with stress. Team work is where it's at. And I'm not holding the ship, I'm just part of the team. So the email has been turned off.

When chatting with my dear friend this morning (and that's a whole post in itself... SO exciting!) she mentioned that she thought most women will give up their yoga practice when life is busy. They'll give up a daily practice because they're too busy helping others, giving up their time or placing it as less of a priority than the needs of others.

When I had a student come in looking so stressed this evening, telling me she hadn't come to class for a week because it's just too busy, I immediately thought of my morning conversation.

We do. We really do give up the things that keep us going in these tough and busy times.Yes, it's a generalisation, but I was looking at a clear example right in front of me. And within me!

So I'm taking note right now, and listening to the little note the universe kicked my way courtesy of the internet. "What do you need today, kid?"

Me? I need a long hot shower with plenty of my special ]use-for-special-occasions, christmas present body wash. I need to get into bed with the kindle and read - not work stuff, but inspiring, novel-like, light-hearted goodness. Then I need to put on a meditation cd and drift off to sleep, being grateful for the beautiful day I did have and the connections i made with the gorgeous students I have the honour to practice with, around the stress. Hmmm indeed!

Friends, what do YOU need today? And can you take just 5 minutes to give it to yourself?

Please join me : ) I know you deserve it, simply because YOU are YOU.

Namaste xo

The Space Story

I have mentioned earlier about my longing for space this year. For time to be free and not to have appointment after appointment after appointment booked in.



I'm glad to say that 2 and a bit weeks in, and so far this year is seeing me hold my ground with space - I've given up teaching 2 classes so I have time to a) sleep, and b) rest. Resting is so important, especially when you're not firing on all engines!



But more than that, I'm finding space in the way of boundaries. I was chatting with my dear best friend this week when she said, "I think people can tell when you're a pushover" or words to that effect. Both she and I are people pleasers, which in itself is not a bad thing. I think making people smile, and being helpful, and generous with spirit to others, is an oh-so-beautiful thing.



But when people pleasing turns us into pushovers, or more aptly, people who will put their own needs behind the needs and desires of others, well that is where the issues arise. That is where we get fatigued and tired for lack of listening to our bodies, and putting our rest first.



That place is where we struggle in relationships, for lack of giving them the priority that both our loved ones AND ourselves deserve.



That place is where we continually say 'yes' to others, in order to be nice to them, but we forget about ourselves, we put ourselves out, and put ourselves 2nd or worse, last.



That place of SPACE and boundaries is a beautifully enriching, nourishing and nurturing place.

But lets's be honest - often it'll be damn uncomfortable at first. We can feel GUILTY when we don't drop everything for others (especially when we've spent our lives doing it). We can feel SHAME for not being able to do everything for everyone like we've always done. We can feel like we're LETTING DOWN others when we recognise that we are worthy, simply by being, not by doing things for them or others.



I mean, it's obvious, isn't it?

If you don't rest, you won't have energy to please other peeps OR yourself. If you don't give yourself time to be, you're just really existing and running from one thing to the next without smelling the roses that are in your everyday moments.



But obvious isn't always easy. Simple, perhaps. Easy, probably not.

Thank god then, that life is all about just making our way through the days, picking up again each morning and starting again. Breathing through it, feeling our feet on the floor, and placing one foot in front of the other. Lucky then, that we just keep going, day at a time.



From me to you, here's hoping you have a year full of SPACE, of BOUNDARIES, of knowing YOU ARE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, just as you are, and that's all we can ask for :)



xx