Sometimes setting goals can be clear.
When I arrived home for example, I set some short term and long term goals.
Short term goals included cleaning my house.
Long term goals embraced a wider loop of aspirations which include the sale of our house, the buying of somewhere new to live and my future, now that I was an edgy empty nester.
Exercise for me has a goal, typically it is not tangible, or short…like lose 10lbs in three months…it is an ongoing, long term, forever sort of goal: To stay in shape.
For me that means looking the same as before. Before when? Well, looking the same as I did when I was eighteen, and apart from unavoidable signs of wear and tear on my body from mothering four children and gravity getting the better of me, I’m not doing too badly!
For the moment walking and Yoga are my exercises of choice and I’ve noticed some new changes in my whole body both physical and spiritual.
By walking every day for a year I lost a size, maybe more, in my jeans which means my legs, butt and stomach benefitted. I also did a lot of thinking while I tramped the pavements and lanes of my neighbourhood, I puffed uphill, I gasped on the downhill stretch, I breathed deeply with a mantra. Sometimes I broke a sweat, depending on the weather. I eventually managed to increase my stamina and roam further. Always by the end of the hour I had eased my anxiety.
By practicing Yoga every day I have lengthened and toned all my muscles. Each morning on my sticky mat I am required to set an intention for the hour, be it for me or for someone I love. Sometimes my intention is that my aching, groaning body can simply get through the session. Other times I concentrate on one of my children as a prayer-offering for their lives. Always by the end of the hour I feel better, less achey, more at peace, closer to God.
I also noticed my feet are broader. My last two toes no longer curl towards each other.
At first I thought this was because I wore Uggs or Sperries for most of my year at home. Then I reminded myself that for the best part of a decade and a half, while I was a stay at home Mum, I went about bare footed!
Then I remembered Yoga. My feet were spreading out to better grip the floor and help distribute my body weight across my body especially in down-dog.
Never a goal my feet are now much steadier foundations on which to balance myself.
Lastly, my breath is deeper. I no longer wheeze as I try to take a breath that is slightly more than shallow.
During practice we are reminded to be conscious of our breath, to feel it pass across the backs of our throats, to send it to the far reaches of our bodies.
While I flow through varying levels of poses and balances I work on keeping my breath even, I try to control the natural tendency to pant when my body is under duress.
Somewhere along the way my lungs have become stronger and I can breathe on my own now taking what I learned on my mat into my life.
Namaste.
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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