Lately I feel like I’ve been wearing my feelings on the outside of my body. That heightened sense of vulnerability has left me feeling uneasy.
During yoga yesterday, Michelle read an excerpt from poet David Whyte where he uses the image of walking down a country dirt road: A huge storm comes. You take shelter in the barn until the storm passes. Sometimes the warmth and protection of the barn feel so good, so easy and safe, you never leave. But you have to get back on the road. You have to keep going.
She spoke briefly about resilience and how it’s easy for some people to bounce back from events while others take more time. She used the barn analogy to illustrate how some have sought protection in the barn and maybe gotten stuck.
It’s funny because she wrote about getting stuck in the comforting place while I wondered where I find comfort.
In a way, yoga has become that comforting place.
So struck by this idea of resilience, I got up from my mat. I grabbed a pen and piece of paper to capture what came up for me during class.
I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say I was left with the feeling that I’ve somehow lost some of my former resilience, or the ability to “bounce back” from difficult experiences.
When I shared this with Michelle, she offered a different perspective.
She asked if maybe I hadn’t really lost my resilience, but rather shed some of the armour I’d built around my heart.
The tears that briefly came up in that moment were indicator that something is brewing in there.
What are your thoughts on resilience? How do you cope with the hard parts of life? Has it gotten easier or harder over the years?
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Teaching Update!
Saturday, May 1st from 3-4:30 I’m teaching a FREE class for school teachers to celebrate the beginning of National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Think of it as a yoga nap – plus milk and cookies!
If you or someone you know teaches school for a living, please save the date.
21st and X – Sacramento, CA
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Fridays 4:30 are still FREE at @itsallyoga!
Teacher Goes Back to School 