So, I’ve told you guys about my new pet cozy series coming soon from Severn House. Some news … I’ve learned the first book is slated for hardback publication in the UK this August, the US edition and worldwide e-book will be out the first of December.
I can’t wait for you guys to meet the main character, Elle Pressley. I think you’re going to love her story! Today, I want to give you a little insight into her world (and mine) by talking about something Elle and I have in common: the use of yoga as a life raft.
Someone else is pretty fond of my mat, too.
I love my yoga mat. When I unroll that sucker and smell the faint scent of rubber, I’m reminded of the saying “where the rubber meets the road” and it definitely fits. But yoga is more than exercise for me, and nothing brought that fact home quicker than this past year of recovering from a serious medical trauma which in turn triggered fibromyalgia.
Because of this, spending time with just this small rectangular space and my own body has become difficult. First of all, there are so many things to overcome now just to get in that space (like joint/muscle pain and fatigue that could take down an elephant). So much to work through not to give up. Frustration. Anger. Grief. So many negative thoughts to let go of in order to stay present and pay attention to my new physical boundaries so I don’t cause a flare up. To be kind to myself. Why is it such a struggle to truly be kind to ourselves?
Yoga has become a vital part of my well-being and the lessons I learn on the mat always translate to life off the mat. The biggest one: I must show up.
You’d think that would be the easy part, right? Nope.
The importance of this “showing up” has been a valuable lesson for me off the mat, too.
Like my writing. Whether I feel like it or not, I must show up in my writing space every day. I have no boss, no one clocking my hours. But to experience the version of life I want to experience I must write. I must show up. And not just sit at the keyboard and stare out the window, I must be mentally present.
Atlas feels the need to show up with me
My kids. Same thing. If I don’t want to wake up one day and realize they’re surly teenagers who would rather walk on hot coals than have a conversation with their mother, I must show up and be present with them now. While they struggle to learn new things, when they fail and fall, when they hit their first homerun. I must show up. Be present. Pay attention.
The family who oms together stays together.
Who would have thought a six foot strip of rubber could be such a life saver? But there you have it.
Fortunately, I don’t have to show up to solve a murder in real life like Elle does!
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So, what things in your life demand you show up and be present? Have you tried yoga? Loved it? Hated it? Please share?
I’m a yogini, too–many years, about 5 classes a week. At Left Coast Crime this last weekend, I played a “dead body” and stuffed my entire self into the lower cubicle of a lectern. Pretty impressive for a 60-year-old! Yoga serves me well.
Ha! I would’ve loved to see that, Vinnie. I probably wouldn’t have even tried that at twenty. 🙂
Yoga? Uh no, that’s not for me. I’m great at showing up, but I wouldn’t be able to show up for a month if I tried yoga. Great post – Can’t wait to learn more about the new series.
Thanks for dropping by, Steve! And I don’t think you give yourself enough credit… I’m sure you’d rock a headstand. Though you do seem more like a tennis guy. 🙂
Hi Shannon! Nice to see you back. Showing up is deceptively hard, isn’t it? I’m just starting to learn yoga. You know what the hardest pose is for me? The corpse pose. Yep, I get all twitchy, doing nothing….
Good luck with the release, and congrats! 🙂
Hiya, Kathy… yep, actually you’d be surprised how many people find corpse pose hard. In our fast paced world it’s hard to just lay there and be silent. So important for our body after stretching, bending and squishing those organs, though. Thanks for the support 🙂
I’m thinking I should try yoga. I’ve always assumed I wouldn’t have the patience for it, but I bet it would help keep my old body tuned up, and my mind and spirit for that matter. Thanks for the inspiration, Shannon, and congrats on the new series. I think Elle is going to be a big hit!!
The people who don’t feel like they have patience are the people who will reap the most rewards. 🙂 And thank you, I hope readers will love Elle as much as I do.
LOL Are you trying to tell me it will teach me patience. If so, I will definitely give it a try!