I’ve been doing yoga for five years.
It’s changed my life physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I’ve met some of the coolest people in the world who have become dear friends. And I’ve become a member of a global a community, a center of belonging, unlike any other in the world.
And yet, I will find every excuse not to go to class.
I’m too tired. I’m too stressed. I’m not hydrated. I’m still sore from yesterday. I don’t have any clean clothes. I didn’t eat breakfast. I haven’t taken my morning dump yet. It’s raining outside. I have a lot going on today. I’m not feeling especially flexible. And I think I pulled something last class. Plus I really need a massage. Screw it, I’ll just go tomorrow. I have to catch up on sleep anyway. And I should really wait until I buy a better outfit. Plus, it’s not like I can afford more classes. And I’m too full from lunch. And I can’t stand the Wednesday night teacher’s annoying voice. And I don’t want to deal with traffic. It’s too nice outside. Besides, I hit the cheese plate too hard last night and I’m afraid I’ll fart. I’ll just practice at home. I’d never make there on time anyway. Look, I’ve already practiced three times this week. That’s enough. I really just need some rest. I just got back in town last night. I drank way too Diet Dr. Pepper on vacation. And I’m pretty sure I’m coming down with something and don’t want to get anybody sick.
That’s what runs through my head.
The way I see it, if I can just pile the excuses high enough, that should be enough to rationalize my way out of going to class. If I can just outsmart myself to the point of inaction, I can skip yoga and spend the rest of the day congratulating myself for making such a mature, rational and thoughtful decision.
Isn’t amazing how much energy we invest in procrastination? Isn’t amazing what lengths we will go to in order to avoid doing something we don’t want to do?
In fact, we have a running joke at our studio:
The first posture is getting there.
Forget touching your head to your knee. If you can overcome all the mental garbage that stands in the way of walking through the door, you’re already a winner.
In yoga, in life, in anything, motion organizes and creates order. As my friend Ed says, it is by motion that all things tend to their equilibrium and find their place in the universe. And unrelenting motion is what helps conspire towards some unifying geometrical situation.
Which reminds me, I need to go hydrate.
LET ME ASK YA THIS… What is your favorite way to procrastinate?
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