Throughout my entire pregnancy, I practiced yoga. I went to two or three classes every week up until I gave birth and it became something I really enjoyed. I was eager to practice again once my doctor cleared me for physical activity. There were so many awesome poses that I just simply couldn’t do with a nine-month prego belly (and others that just weren’t safe while I was pregnant). So, at the beginning of the year I set up one-on-one yoga sessions with my instructor/friend.
My goal for my practice? Headstands.
Why Headstands?
I’ll preface this by saying I practice with a YogaFaith instructor. My first true goal when I roll out my yoga mat is to get closer to God. I usually bring a Bible verse with me to think about while I hold poses and breathe. This has brought me a lot of peace over the last year or so. My time on my mat is time to spend with Jesus and time to spend with myself.
As I’m sure you know if you have followed the blog for a while, I am a fan of reflecting. Yoga is a chance to do that in a quiet, supportive environment while also working towards a physical goal. For me, my 2022 yoga practice is focused on the idea of grace. One of the verses I’ve been bringing to my practice is this…
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
Do I always feel confident or graceful when attempting a pose that demands balance? Absolutely not. There are times I feel like a newborn baby gazelle who can’t use its legs properly. When I lay those insecurities at the feet of Jesus, I can do anything. I am full of His grace.
My First Headstand
I’m about five one-on-one sessions into my practice for the year. I have already made huge strides in what I wanted to do. My balance is improving, the connection between my breath and the way my body moves is there.
What many people don’t realize is that, while yoga does take a certain amount of strength, much of that strength comes from focusing your energy inward. When I put my shoulders into the inverted yoga chair and kicked my legs up for my first assisted headstand, it was amazing! I decided to take that energy and focus and discover other places where it could positively impact my life.
How Headstands Will Help Improve My Finances and Beyond
As I said, doing a headstand takes a lot of focus, but you also have to be extremely self-aware. Your body will always let you know when you should stop when it comes to exercise, stretching, etc. Actually, your body probably let’s you know when to stop other things too, but most of us ignore it. My goal is to listen to that intuition more.
From a financial standpoint, headstands are training me to be more patient, focus on the end goal, and be more aware. Every move I make has an impact on the integrity of my headstand and, potentially, my safety. The same is true of my finances. Every dollar I spend (or don’t save) has an impact on my long-term financial health. The same can be said of my health, relationship, and creative goals.
Take some time to think about what would help you truly focus. Meditation, regular exercise, and even simply journaling can help you make progress. What works for you?
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Amanda Blankenship is the Director of Social Media for District Media. In addition to her duties handling everything social media, she frequently writes for a handful of blogs and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.
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