Should I stay or should I go – thanks *The Clash
The morning get ups are a process of determining should I go in for practice today or stay home. As I roll out of bed and put my feet on the floor I just sit. I can sit for seconds or for minutes. My legs are my weathervane as to the direction of this decision. I stand up and reach for the wall for balance, it’s dark and without light I will hit the floor. Standing up is the first indicator of how I’m doing this morning. I start walking dragging my hand along the wall and turn the corner moving my hand to the bureau sliding along the top, feel for the door handle and open.
I leave a few lights on around the house so that I no longer have to worry about my balance. Go to the bathroom, go to the kitchen and grab a big glass of water that has been sitting on the counter overnight. Turn on the TV with no volume and watch the news banner that moves across the bottom of the screen. There is a lot of bad stuff that goes on in this world and I feel somewhat of a responsibility to know about it.
It takes about 10 minutes to drink the glass and I’m still deciding if I’m going to practice today. Turn off the TV and head to the bathroom. Brush my teeth, shave, and try to do number two. This maybe a little bit too much information but for me it’s important. My legs almost always feel better if I’m successful, not sure if there is a nerve being pressed on but I know something is happening – probably TMI.
The shower is the best part of getting up as I almost always feel better after my shower and if you don’t already shower before practice I highly recommend it. It warms me up, reduces stiffness, and starts me off fresh. For me it feels so good to go to practice clean, fresh, and ready to go. It’s the final decision point of weather to go in or not.
From putting my feet on the floor to being completely dressed and ready to head out is about 45 minutes. This whole routine is my morning decision process and prepares me for going to practice.
It may not sound like much but after my shower no mater how I feel, unless I have something contagious like a cold or flu, I will go to practice. My decision process is completed. I could still feel like crap but I’m still going in. I have discovered that no matter how I feel at the start of practice; 99% of the time I’m going to feel better at the end.
There are days that I will stop my practice when my body is telling me to stop, it does not happen often but when it does I will listen and take savasana, maybe pranayama, and head home.
For me practice provides a vehicle for healing both the physical and the mental aspects of my life. It’s a time for practice, calmness, and peace. I’m fortunate to practice in an environment that honours and facilitates these peaceful may I say elusive mystical forms.
Rachel my teacher, does not listen or watch the news before coming in to teach. She explains that she does not want to absorb anything negative and then pass on to her students – another eye roller or a learning opportunity. You know the answer – I might stop watching the news before practice……
I love the vibe where I practice
another good reason to go.
- “If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go”
I love the vibe to, Catrin