The "Feeling Good" Plateau

 

First I came for the yoga. 

The postures were a little difficult at first, but once I realized I don’t have to compete with anyone else and just listen to my body, it got better quickly.

And I began to feel better on a daily basis. 

A lot better.

Then I heard about the Wednesday night breathing and meditation hour. It was some old school (thousands of years old!) breathing exercises (Pranayama) followed by a half hour of “om” that would give me the best sleep of my life, I was told.

They were right. I also felt extremely relaxed the whole next day.

Hmm… does this mean if I keep this up, I’ll keep feeling better and better with no end in sight?

Yes. 

And no. 

I began to feel great on a daily basis. I had more energy, more blood flow, more mental clarity, more flexibility. Less aches and therefore less complaints. Less need for caffeine, among other things. 

This was a very good thing (hint: it still is) because it made me happier. Happier and more peaceful. 

But... after doing yoga and meditation for a while, I hit a plateau. I started to get used to feeling that good. I started to take the increased happiness for granted. (Sigh, humans...)

I didn't know how quickly I would miss this plateau when I fell off of it...

Guess what happens next? Because life is never the same day after day, it throws you a curve now and then you really weren't expecting, and I let a few of those knock me off my schedule for a bit. I stopped practicing yoga and meditation as much and...

I started to feel NOT as flexible. LESS energetic and as buoyant as I was. My thinking got muddier. I started to stress more.

I quickly found myself yearning for that “feel good” plateau that I had taken for granted, that had made my life easier overall.

So I got back on schedule. And it didn’t take any time at all to get back to that sweet spot, thank God.  

The bonus for all this? I realized that because I was on the yoga-meditation-happy-peace plateau, I handled those curve balls so much easier.

So, it’s like an insurance policy. You're in good hands. Like a good neighbor, your "feeling good plateau" is there... if you don't deny yourself.

Calmer, With More Energy?

I didn't know what I was in for when I started practicing yoga and later, meditation. I didn't know the effect it would have on my life outside the Ashram.

I didn't know I would get calmer overall, especially in potentially stressful situations.

I didn't know I'd be able to kick caffeine fairly easily when I replaced it with morning yoga and be able to still maintain good energy throughout the day.

I didn't know I'd become more mindful of my eating choices, and be able to calm the cravings and stay out of fast food drive-thrus.

I didn't know I could sleep so soundly.

I didn't know I would become more grateful overall.

I thought I was just getting in better shape and alleviating some back and shoulder pain that wouldn't seem to go away.

Turns out, that was just the beginning.