Just Breathe.

I used to love my bi weekly yoga. I started taking it about 10 years ago. I was pounding the heck out of my body through spinning and running and needed an outlet to stretch out my tired muscles. I approached my practice with the same kinetic energy I did in my other forms of exercise (and in my life). Over done, overstated, over practiced. And I ended up with a tear in my hip. I was not connecting with my practice the way it was intended to be. And my practice threw my but out on the street for a couple of years.

After several years of recuperating from the injury and surgery to fix it, I jumped back into yoga. Or shall we say, I meandered back into it slowly. With a lot of caution. I am now practicing about three to four times a week and getting stronger. More importantly, though, I am stopping to breathe. As one of my mentors used to say to me, “Slow down, Kim and stop and smell the roses.”

What has my practice taught me. So much… Move slower. Be present in the moment. Don’t worry about the next thing you need to do that day.

As I spoke to my good friend @Riasharon recently, she shared with me, her recent experiences at yoga retreat. These thoughts have resonated with me all evening. Be mindful. Focus on your single tasks at hand. Don’t rush through life. Prioritize. Give your projects or the people you are with, your full attention. In this world of multi tasking we live in today, its not uncommon to rush through our daily lives and not pay attention to details.

I am so grateful to have wandered back into yoga for so many reasons. My body feels stronger and my mind is relaxed and at ease. (most of the time!) I approach life with more yogic principles. I have met some wonderful yoga teachers who have become good friends. And I have embodied these principles in my business, which has allowed me to have more creative juices flowing and opened my heart to so many new opportunities. I feel so much more open and alive. So thank you to all of my yoga teachers and mentors for how you have helped me change and grow. I hope I can give back to you all you have given me. What gifts are you thankful for in your life?

Kim Gellman is the owner of Artisticsensations.com, a fun and hip website that sells kids furniture, bedding, and room decor from baby to college age kids.

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