Mama Needs a Refill

On Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, I woke to smiling faces standing at the foot of my bed and sore muscles.

The previous day, I attended an all day yoga retreat, Motherasana, at The Bainbridge Yoga House (www.bainbridgeyogahouse.com).  My idea of a perfect Mother’s Day treat, in more ways than one.  And that is how my cup was nurtured, loved and filled to over flowing, in more ways than one.

Mentally, I connected on the ferry ride over with a friend of 17 years, we caught up, shared, listened.  I met interesting lovely women, engaged in inspiring conversations. 

Spiritually, I laughed and played like a child, doing handstands.  Letting the tears wash over me when I listened to a woman’s story of recently losing her mother.

Physically, who can do two sessions of yoga in one day and not feel good?  I pushed my body, contorting it into poses I have never heard of before.  Who knew I could be a pigeon, a bird of paradise, a cobra and a child all in one afternoon?  Oh, the power of letting go.

Let’s not forget the chocolate, vegetarian mouth watering lunch (www.danatreat.com), fresh strawberries the size of a blooming rose, asparagus that kept me going back for more – good food, that must fall under all categories: mental, spiritual and physical. I’m certain.

At the retreat I did many downward dog poses, something missing in my Bikram yoga practice, so my sore shoulders lasted through Sunday and reminded me again on Monday.  A good reminder.  A reminder of how good it feels to take care of myself, what a blessing it is to all who know me.  And like my yoga instructor said this morning, This is touching all those who know you. 

When we fill our cups, recognize our needs and stand up for getting them met we are definitely, touching all those around us. 

I was ready to play with my kids on Sunday because I had let myself dance to my own tune the day before.  As we all did handstands in the grass I was more aware of the joy in my heart than the sore ache in my muscles.  And everyone was aware that mommy had a full cup.

After a day of filling my cup at The Bainbridge Yoga House, I could breathe more playfully in the green grass.