Pain is your Friend

Every day presents itself with new challenges.  This week, Ernesto and I decided to dedicate more time to exercise.  With our busy lives, we’ve made endless excuses for why we can’t work out.  Meanwhile our health continues to be impacted by lack of activity.  Looking at Maya, she has so much energy.  She is constantly moving!  Pretty sure it’s the sugar 😉 But mostly, her extracurricular activities keep her heart pumping.  Several years ago, I used to take Bikram (Hot Yoga) which I found absolutely excruciating but invigorating at the same time.  At 105 degrees, most would ask why would one put themselves through such agony for 90 minutes in that heat.  In any event, I found a studio in Madison with both hot yoga and pilates.  I convinced Ernesto to join me.  We made it through the class, but fell ill in the days that followed.  Our bodies clearly went into shock as we had been inactive for so long, not to mention minor the heat exhaustion and lack of hydration.  When I returned to the studio and shared our experience with the instructors, explaining that I was reluctant to pursue Bikram any longer, she said something very profound, “Girl, don’t run from the pain, run to it!”  I thought, she’s right.  NO PAIN, NO GAIN.  As we face new obstacles each day, whether big or small, it’s easy to just throw in the towel.  But I feel like we’ve set a good example for Maya by returning to the studio.  Coincidentally, this week she tests for her advancement to intermediate gymnastics.  The goal is to complete 3 clean, no struggle pull-ups in order to move to the next level.  She’s practiced at home for weeks…but there’s still that slight hesitation.  We remind her to face her fears and she will overcome.  You’ve got this Maya!”