2015 - My Year of Zen
January 18, 2015

A funny thing happened recently.....I realized yoga breathing techniques are my new daily balance.  "What the heck does that mean?" you ask.

Well, I have found that breathing quiets the mind. Settles the soul. Relaxes the body.

One day last week I was sitting at my desk responding to email.  Very stressed.
- IT issue first. Needs immediate attention ( of course )
- HR Issue - "I think I'm missing a paycheck.  Fix it."
- Finance issue - "You don't have money in the budget for that. Send us a business justification right away. "

Everyone wanted answers and they wanted them yesterday.  On top of that, I had people standing at my door that all needed something important in addition to annual meetings to prepare for and performance evaluations due for all of my staff.  And finally, there was my regular work. 

It was was getting more and more tense by the moment.  I could feel myself starting to crave something.  Sugar.  Chocolate.  Pizza.  I was about to go to the good ol' candy machine in the cafe.  Then I thought about how much effort I have put into being healthier.  I thought about all the things I had already learned from yoga and wondered if they would really work.  I didn't want my stress to win.

I stopped everything.  I sat in my chair and turned away from my computer.  I relaxed my muscles and slowed my breathing.  I cleared my mind.  I took a few very slow, very deep breaths and everything felt better.  

I was able to go back to all of my "fires" in a much calmer state.  Clearer mind.  Much more focused.  The problems didn't seem nearly so large.  

This was the first time I had really seen the affects of the meditation side of yoga.  It was a micro-mini meditation but it worked.  I am a believer!  

Finding your balance is a great feeling!  I am a beginner at all of this and can't wait to further my knowledge.  

I hope you find your balance too!