I Need A Vacation

Phew...I have either been coaching gymnastics, doing personal training, teaching group fitness or yoga classes for most of the past 28 years as well as managing my own business. I find gratitude in that I have, over the years, evolved into my current role of yoga therapist and educator. I love teaching, practicing and endeavoring to LIVE my yoga. Part of my role is to be fully present for each person that I come into contact with, whether it be on the mat or in the gym.

What I have also gleaned over this time is that I need to step away from it every few months to keep my own fire and inspiration burning. My trip to Australia is for 26-days, which includes the 4-day yoga retreat at Sanctuary. The day after I return, I will be attending Bhakti Fest a 4-day kirtan, yoga and workshop gathering in the high desert near Joshua Tree, CA.

When I tell people I'll be away for a month the typical response is a look of surprise and a "wow...that's a long time!" Which it is by USA standards. It's unfortunate that the United States is ranked the lowest out of the developed world in giving its workers paid time off. The Center for Economic Policy and Research (CEPR), in No Vacation Nation, finds "that we're the only advanced nation that doesn't guarantee its workers any paid vacation or holidays. In fact, 1 in 4 U.S. workers do not receive any paid holidays or vacation.

But it's not just vacation. CEPR research shows that the United States comes in last when it comes to paid sick days and paid parental leave as well. And while some argue that paid leave leads to less competitive economics, CEPR also finds that paid sick days don't cause unemployment rates to rise."

Yowza!

In Australia, it's common for workers to be given and yes...to take, their one month of annual paid vacation, which no doubt, has stayed with me as it feels quite "normal" to have a month for my own personal retreat.

Given that most of my readers are in the States, what can we do about it? Staying on the yogic path and without getting political, it's about having an awareness of what can re-charge our own batteries and finding balance in our lives. If you're a busy parent, a 9-5 worker or running your own company, what is it that you do on a weekly if not daily basis that is outside of your obligations to others? What are you doing to feed the obligation to your mind, body and spirit? It can begin with something as simple as recognizing quiet moments in each day. Pausing before you begin eating or taking a deep breath before answering the phone. We need to take our own parental advice and put ourselves in a time out!

If your soul is screaming at you to do more, practices such as a weekly yoga, tai chi or meditation class can fill that role. But so can sitting quietly with a morning cup of tea, listening to the natural sounds in your immediate environment or reading an inspirational piece. It's intriguing that with economic challenges and lack of time, that the word "staycation" has made its way into our vernacular.

Being that a yoga class is symbolic of the cycle of our days and lives, we begin each practice through centering ourselves, progress onto doing "the work" of the class and finish in relaxation and reflection. Is it possible that your daily life can also look like that? Of course it is...if you intentionally set it up to be that way.

So I am off this Friday for a few weeks to connect with my Aussie "heart" family, revitalize my spirit, write, read, walk and video some yoga on the beach! I'm excited for what's ahead including bringing back the residue to all of you from such an experience.

My final two words on the subject of me being away is...home practice!

Connection

Last week the thought was around "Alone Time", carving out space in our daily lives to simply be present with ourselves. That of course makes the assumption that everyone is surrounded by hectic schedules, traffic and no "me time".

But what about those in our communities who live by themselves, are retired or work from their home office? Do they have too much alone time?

Writing from the yogic perspective where the constant underlying theme is around recognizing imbalance, it would be remiss of me not to balance out my own writings by considering both solitude and connection.

We, as human beings, are social by nature. We seek the company of others. In the book, "The Female Brain" by Louann Brizendine, she talks about the various stages of hormones that wash through female brains, particularly estrogen and during the junior high school years, that result in young teens making it their mission to connect with others.

A strong memory from that period of my own life was how many people you could say "hi" to as you walked between classes. I was on a serious quest to up my number of hellos on a daily basis. I wasn't alone...the other girls were doing it too! The teenage popularity contest was well underway.

Research on longevity indicates that those people living in the identified "blue zones" around the world have a few common elements that have granted the population at large quality in their latter years. They include a largely plant based diet, regular physical activity, a spiritual affiliation and yes...a supportive and extended community of family and friends. Instead of elders living away from others, they are included as an integral part of the social networks.

They stay connected.

Living well means finding time by yourself everyday to explore your inner voice and need. It is balanced out with having relationships that support you on your path of evolution. We can't do it alone. It does take a village.

So, after your morning meditation, call up a friend and meet over a nice cup of tea...that'll do it!