You Do You (Again)

Saying from Mary Christensen
Today I returned to yoga after almost five months.

I was nervous. Apprehensive. Let’s face it, getting up and down from the floor is no longer a pretty sight for me. I worried that my new knee would limit what I could do, that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, that I might feel out of place.

At the start of class, we were asked to set an intention.

The first word that came to me was brave. Not strong. Not flexible. Not perfect. Just… brave.

Years ago, when I first started yoga, a very wise instructor shared words that have stayed with me. Words about treating our bodies as a home, and filling that home with acceptance, respect, and kindness.

And then, both my instructor and the owner of the studio echoed something just as powerful. They welcomed me with kindness and warmth, and reminded me:

“You do you.”

Do what you can.
Modify.
Improvise.
Think outside the box.

And just like that, the pressure lifted.

It wasn’t about what I used to be able to do. It wasn’t about how I looked compared to anyone else in the room. It was about showing up, listening to my body, and honoring where I am today.

So I moved differently. Slower in some places, more carefully in others. I adjusted. I paused. I tried.

And that was enough.

Maybe more than enough.

Because today, being brave didn’t mean doing everything. It meant showing up anyway.

Brave takes on many forms. Today, for me,  it meant taking one step closer to home and boy (!) did I celebrate afterwards!

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