Off the mat...

I've been spending far more days off the mat than on the mat. And I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I've been feeling much more stressed, having trouble sleeping, etc. Yes, the things I'm worried about are real and they are important, but I truly believe that Bikram (or other intense physical activity) has a way of helping to balance things out.
I'm listening to the audiobook of Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" and so much of what he says could be applied to Bikram yoga and a lot of it actually is in line with the way that Bikram himself talks about the yoga.
I'll leave you with this thought from Murakami's book (I can't remember who Murakami credits it to and since I'm listening to the audiobook, it's not convenient to go back and find it!) -- Pain is inevitable but suffering is a choice.
So true!