
Yoga sparks my creativity. I’m sure there’s some scientific/spiritual rationale of which I’m unaware, but for me, the proof is production. With all my Unhappy Wife marketing, it became challenging to write anything new, so I decided to engage in seven days of yoga. Consequently, I attained more than creativity.
Monday, October 31st (Yoga Den, Mandarin 7:45-9:00 P.M.) It slipped my mind that today was Halloween, so I almost didn’t make it. I wanted to pass out the four bags of peanut and peanut butter M&Ms that Dwight’s eyes had signaled was too much. But I’d promised myself attendance at Sun Flow Yin. I would have to rely on my nonsocial daughters to take the lead. One little boy showed up right before I left. Turns out he was the only trick-or-treater we got this year, so I didn’t miss anything and my daughters didn’t have to interact with people.
Today’s Lesson: Follow your instinct.
Tuesday, November 1st (LA Fitness, Kernan, 9:45-10:45 A.M.) I slept like a six-month old baby snuggled in between co-sleeping parents. I’m attributing a good night’s rest to the previous night’s yoga. However, practicing back-to-back made me nervous. My anxiety floated away once I noticed a guy doing downward facing dog in his drawers. I was slightly distracted, not because anything showed, but because I kept wondering if those were indeed his skivvies. They were. The bright blue band around the top gave it away. I didn’t think my yoga crew noticed because there were no side eyes or eyebrow raises. He and I walked out together and he engaged me in conversation. Underwear guy’s name is Joe. He’d lost his wife seven years ago in a drunk driving accident. She left him with a set of twin boys and a daughter to raise. Without yoga, he believed he would’ve died too.
Lesson: You never know what someone’s gone through, so treat them with kindness.
Wednesday, November 2nd (Yoga Den, Mandarin 6:30-7:30 P.M.) I loathe Wednesdays. On this day, I drive two hours to teach one class that lasts an hour and fifteen minutes. The angst of the drive begins Tuesday night and settles into my consciousness, making for a stressful morning and grumpy day. But today felt a little different. Maybe back-to-back yoga helped me maintain peace. After class, I usually drive to main campus and participate in a meeting, work in my office until 5:00, and then leave. The chair cancelled today’s meeting, so I graded papers until 3:45 and made it back home just in time for Mind-Body yoga. To be honest, I chose this yoga because the time was appropriate. But the lesson about mind-body connection was also what I needed to hear. Hopefully, I can put it into practice this coming Wednesday.
Lesson: Everything begins in the mind.

Thursday, November 3rd (LA Fitness, Kernan, Jacksonville, Florida 9:45-10:45 A.M.) Welp, my yoga crew did notice that Joe and his undies. They were in a circle discussing it as I rolled out my mat. By the time I returned from the restroom, someone had approached Joe about it. I came back just in time to hear this:
Joe: Y’all shouldn’t be looking at me anyways. Yoga is supposed to be a meditation. Y’all should be meditating. Everybody in here should be able to do yoga naked ‘cause we should all be so focused on ourselves.
Mrs. Gail: That’s what I tried to tell ‘em Joe!
I politely stretched into child’s pose and minded my own business.
Lesson: Focus on yourself.
Friday, November 4th (Yoga Den, Mandarin, Jacksonville, Florida 9:15-10:45 A.M.) I almost didn’t make it today you guys. The bed was so warm and cozy. And I thought to myself, KG, you’ve already done four days. Isn’t that good enough? Then, that same nagging feeling I get when I make self-promises began to surface. It’s familiar. I cannot tell myself I’m going to do a thing and not follow through. Off to yoga I went. This isn’t any old type of yoga. The instructor begins by playing a banjo and we all chant Om Namah Shivaya. Then, we chant three OMs and begin our practice. It’s intense. Today, I almost threw up. I know that’s not a good yoga practice if you almost hurl. And it certainly goes against what you’re supposed to be practicing in the first place. I thought I was done overachieving, but this proved otherwise. Every now and then, I still unconsciously overextend myself; yoga is no different. I’m working on it. After Savasana, she plays the banjo again and we do three more OMs. This particular practice is my favorite one, but it usually doesn’t come behind four other yoga days.
Lesson: Be true to yourself by honoring your word. Be mindful.
Saturday, November 5th (LA Fitness, Lakewood, Jacksonville, Florida 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.) On Saturdays, I wake up sans alarm clock. I lie in bed, blog a little, write a little, and then decide what I’m going to do. Not today. Friday afternoon, my goddaughter texted to inform me that the local bookstore had run out of copies of The Unhappy Wife.
“So I can come Monday?” I asked Jen, the owner.
“We’re open Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 A.M.” she replied.
I broke my usual routine and was at the bookstore by 9:00 A.M.
“Thank you so much,” she started, “Really appreciate you.”
“No. Thank you,” I smiled.
We were helping one another. Because of her, I didn’t have to sell books out of my trunk, and because of me, she was gaining more customers and revenue. This was the win-win I’d heard so much about.
Afterwards, I went to yoga.
Lesson: If you want something, you have to be willing to break self-made traditions.

Sunday, November 6th (Walk with Dwight) By this day, I was tired of yoga. My shoulders felt as if I’d been lifting weights all day. My core was a bit tighter, but hurt when I bent to the side. My legs felt as if I’d done 100 squats each day. So Dwight and I took our usual Sunday walk.
Lesson: Know when to listen to your body, as opposed to your mind.
My creativity is back, but quite honestly, three days worth of yoga is quite enough for me.
*©2016 K E Garland. All Rights Reserved.
This is great! If you are interested in furthering your practice of yoga, please check out my list of my favorite yoga and meditation gear of 2018! https://artsofthought.com/2018/07/20/the-best-meditation-gear-of-2018/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do yoga in my home with my 4 year old and husband about 3-4 times weekly. It’s a nice way for us all to spend time together, exercise, and be in the comfort of our own home. Now the trick is to teach my daughter about meditation!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brook with no “e” I’m Katherin with no “e”! I wrote an entire post about it because it annoys me when people misspell my name! Anywho, thanks for reading and commenting here. It’s impressive that your 4-year-old does yoga with you! I think teaching your daughter how to meditate at such a young age is really important and will probably take her far in life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do yoga everyday (well at least I try to) and it exercises my core really well and I love it – eases the stress! I would love it if you could leave me a like or follow me as I’m trying to grow my account with nice people 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, reading, and commenting. Practicing yoga everyday is impressive. I’ll be visiting your blog soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
7 days and 7 lessons quite interesting , like this very much 👍👍☺🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Very happy to read yoga articles like this one ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing! I love seeing how yoga impacts the lives of others
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting article. You might like this website: makingofayogi.com
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. I’ll check it out soon.
LikeLike
This is a timely article. I too have wanted to do yoga but I’m so inflexible and impatient I’m very skeptical. However, I need to practice meditating and maybe this might be a good place to start. Do you have any advice for more seasoned beginners? Oh, and I really enjoyed your lessons learned.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hey Steph! The more you do it, the better you’ll get, kind of like anything really. What I find people have to get over is the idea that anyone else is looking at you. This is the first thing I learned. No one could possibly be paying attention to what you’re doing because they’re too busy trying not to fall over/hold a pose themselves lol. It really has been a great way for me to learn not to care about what anyone thinks and to only focus on myself. The other thing is that each day is different depending on what’s going on with you or your body in that moment. Yoga, for me has been a great mirror of actual life. It’ll definitely help with mediating because breathing through the practice and focusing at the end without falling asleep are both a part of doing yoga.
Okay. I’ve talked on enough lol Best of luck and thanks for the compliment 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember when I was little…I and my brother finished watching high school musical . U know the part in prt 2 or 3…where the mom of (the rich girl…just forgot the name) was practicing yoga….she looked so cool so we decided to try it out. Long story short, we were a mass of legs flying and heads hitting the ground. Great post
LikeLiked by 3 people
lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was doing so good with my Yoga at the start of the year, but I’ve fallen off 🤦🏾♀️. I’ve only ever done it at-home using YouTube, but this post is making me rethink that. Maybe I should try a studio…find some accountability partners and some inspiration too (Joe was a wise man). Love the lessons you took away from each practice.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve heard of people doing it like that, but I’m not sure I’d get the same effect (personally). I suppose as long as it’s working for you, then keep at it, no matter where it is. And, yes…I agree. Joe recently died…I just found out. So, now I feel as if this is a nice memoriam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yoga is something I really would like to get back in to, but perhaps in small amounts – this sort of intensity would wear me down quite quickly I think! Certainly very interesting to read your experiences, how it may have helped calm some anxiety too, and I love the lessons you took away from your days. The story of Underwear guy Joe is incredibly sad, but it also shows the power of something like yoga and of connecting to others to keep you going and pull you through even the toughest, darkest of times. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Because I’m familiar with your health via your blog, I’m sure it would. It also kind of depends on the type. Restorative seems to be just that…restorative lol In terms of Joe, I agree. In fact, oddly, he died just last week, so now I’m guessing this is a kind of nice memory of who he was.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heck, I didn’t realise, I’m really sorry about Joe. To have suffered through what he did… Incredibly sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh it’s not your fault. It literally happened the week I re-blogged this. I didn’t even realize it myself 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’m going to try out yoga tomorrow. So many lessons learned in the midst of meditation. I actually get points through my insurance for practicing meditation 3 times a week, and I NEVER do it. Glad to see that it helped get your creative juices flowing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yay! And say what??? That’s pretty cool. What insurance is that? “Tomorrow” is today…did you go? How’d you like it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Joe LOL! He’s right! And you know there is a such thing as naked yoga.. All I can think of is odors. Strong odors.
I also love the lessons you gained from just a few days of practice.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Girl, how about I just read an email from the yoga site saying Joe passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday! I just think it’s odd how I happened to have re-blogged this this week.
Anywho, I love him too. It’s nice way to say, “Mind your business” lol, which we all need to do no matter what 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh no! Did they share how he died?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nah. Ima find out tonight though. They’re having a special yoga thing for him tomorrow. I won’t be going…I know my emotional limits 😢
LikeLiked by 2 people
Understood. May he rest in peace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you tried to be a yogi. Being doing it for decades now, as exercise, meditation and therapy. Keeps me whole and above all else, it teaches patience, peace and acceptance.
LikeLiked by 3 people
DECADES??? Wow. That’s impressive. I have found that it’s taught me similar things, like non-judgment…is that the same as acceptance?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, feels the same. LOL. It has been a great teacher and friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heck of a good article, Kathy.
It’s funny, interesting, insightful, entertaining . . .
And this from a guy who never once has done yoga!
LikeLiked by 3 people
lol – thanks Neil! Means a lot from a guy who always writes funny, interesting, insightful, and entertaining content himself 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’ve always found yoga interesting. for some reason though, i’ve never tried it before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’d like it. They’re not all the same, as I’ve kind of shown here, so try at least three different ones if you decide to delve into it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i think i’d like something for flexibility and focus. i considered tai chi once, but again, i haven’t tried it either.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great post! Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Awesome post! Yoga has helped me find my creativity and become more grateful in my daily life as well.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! I’m glad to hear it. I know one of the yogas really focuses on opening up your chakras and listening to your inner self, but I stopped trying to figure out how the others contribute lol Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting.
LikeLike
Great article. Made me laugh and think and ponder. Loved it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much! To this day, Joe has continued to practice in his undies, front and center of the room 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You go Joe! (What a great lesson in understanding differences and supporting others because we don’t know what they might be going through.) Thanks again. I am trying to figure out how to post your article on my “Post I like” Widget. That widget isn’t posting but I am going to keep trying, as I think your article is just great. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thanks so much! I’ll be looking for it.
LikeLike
Great post. The lessons are a perfect mix of inspiring and amusing. It makes me want to drag my mat back out after a few weeks off.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Meghan! After that day, Joe has practiced in his undies, front and center where we can all practice being more mindful 😉 Please do! I’m sure you understand how beneficial it is. Hope you’re having a happy holiday season doing whatever you please.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Journal Edge.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing your experience! I love the detailed way you wrote each day. I may have to try yoga!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Tunisia, of course I don’t know you personally, but I think you’d love it. And thanks! One thing I’d suggest is not giving up. Give it a few times before you make a decision.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay. There’s a yoga instructor that goes to our job so I would be able to do it right after work in the same buildimg. So I’ll try it and let you knownhownit goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAAAY! Looking forward to hearing what you think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this blog. It sounds very much like what I often go through on my yoga journey. Thanks for following me too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much. Of course, my dear. I love all blogs that are steeped in the positive.
LikeLike
I love the detail in your writing and how you communicated the effectiveness of yoga while actually writing very little about the practice of it. You are a wonderful writer and I’m not surprised your book sold out!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww thanks Belinda! And I know you’re not looking for accolades but you are too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! That means something coming from a writer I respect 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
After 3 months of doing ashtanga once a week, I started to do things I never thought I would do one day: dancing, drawing, hiking… you name it. As a teacher myself, my courses became more creative… in a way I can see me writing your blog. Thank you so much
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad to hear you say this. It’s difficult to explain it to people who haven’t experienced these effects. Yoga always inspires me in so many ways. Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I started yoga in my late teens. It saved me, although I did not know it at the time. Looking back I realised that it kept me functioning. We had an amazing yoga teacher and I guess I had a lot of enthusiasm then – and more energy! 🙂 Not sure I could manage 7 days in a row – well done you and thanks for sharing.
On another note I loved the time differences exchange between you and Mek. Now I don’t feel such a twit for not being able to get my head around it. LOL Minus 4 hours, add 5, do what???
LikeLiked by 2 people
How wonderful to have started such a meaningful practice in your teens! I can’t imagine where I’d be if I would’ve begun decades ago. But, we find things when we find them, I guess. I’m sure that I can’t manage seven days in a row, as of today lol AND Thanks!
Girl…you see Mek over there adding and subtracting hours, while I’m like, “Siri, what time is it in Australia???” No, I literally Google the words most of the time lol I always forget to find out and end up waking her up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy you have made me chuckle. Seriously what is going on in Australia with “time”. It’s a headache working out the time difference and at one point I thought it was ME. But now I know Dr Garland (of the 3 degrees!):) can’t work it out either. I’m like whatever!!!
Yes, starting yoga when I was 19 was probably the best thing I ever did. coming from a very unsettled background it must have staved off the chronic anxiety which manifested when I was a little older and had actually stopped doing it. Maybe I ought to start again …
I shouldn’t worry too much about not being able to keep up a 7 day regime – I’m sure once a week is fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great lessons, Kathy! I especially like the one, “Focus on yourself.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Khaya! Yes, Joe came in right on time with that one. He’s the reason I decided to go back and reflect 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy, terrific post about your yoga marathon! I loved the insights into each day, the thought of naked yoga had me giggling, definitely a time to tune out and go into child pose. So happy it helped with your creativity and perhaps three times a week is something to consider? Wow! 😀😀 Congratulations on the shop selling out of your book – brilliant news for both you and the shop store owner! Hope you got to celebrate a little.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Well, Dwight’s bday was Sunday, so I just rolled a celebration into that (in my mind). Mrs. Gail actually went on to describe how she and her husband were nudist for eight years…I tried to ignore her conversation, until she got to the part about having breakfast as a nudist lol good grief! Yes, definitely no more than 3 times a week.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoyed reading this, Kathrin. I liked going on your yoga journey with you. I used to be a yoga addict, at the studio 3 and 4 times a week, up at 5:15AM for my morning practice. I’m even certified to teach it, though I don’t have time to anymore. I’ve recently committed to at least once per week at the studio, preferably twice, and actually made it twice last week! Your post has inspired me to go twice again this week. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love Joe’s reply to the group- i twnd to close my eyes as much as possible. Well done on all that yoga- it is definitely transformative. I like your description of sleeping like a baby snuggled up between co sleeping parents…sounds so snug 😊 Oh, and well done on selling out at the bookstore!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Mek!!! Wasn’t his reply THE best??? Ugh – thanks I don’t think I’ll do it again lol And I know right??? That was unexpected. Wait…what are you doing up?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m up cause it’s MORNING first of 3 days of full time writing…Haha I’m normally up way earlier than that message! I did yoga for first time in 2 weeks yesterday- was good to be back. ..public holidays and training courses at work got in the way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I gotta get the time difference down. YAY for yoga 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Im 15 hours forward, until your daylight saving ends…
LikeLiked by 2 people
We just went back so maybe that’s why I’m confused all over again
LikeLike
Ha yeah, after i posted that comment I realised that it’s now 16 hours diff. What I do to make it easier on my brain is minus 4 to whatever the time is here, and take it as the opposite of here, so right now here is 8:34 am so minus four and opposite – is 4:34 pm for you! Similarly for you, add 4 to your time and take opposite haha. It was easier when we only had a 14 hour diff cause more of our daytime overlapped…Okay, seriously need to get back to my full time NaNo mode…later!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😳😳😳 I just google it lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, the codependent relationship with google. Break free of that and do it the old school way. Google will make your mind turn to mush, I tell ya….haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love the lessons yoga teaches us. My favorite is to stay present. Great post!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Alexis! Stay present is a good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like how you put the lessons you learned from each day up. “Lesson: You never know what someone’s gone through, so treat them with kindness.” Is something that I have been working on myself. It took me forever to realize that everybody is going through things and need to be treated as such. I was and still am so gung-ho on how I think people should move, but sometimes they just can’t move like that. And I should’t think they have to. People are going through mental, physical and emotional pain that they may hide very well.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Right. And thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true 25, Black, and Alive. How perspicacious of you to notice this and write it in such a moving way. I am impressed. I was a lot older than you when I realised this “truth”.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words! It took me a long time to realize this. I am still working to remove that fault within myself. I can see my fault but if I am to be honest, I am young and bullheaded. I still think I can control things and I can’t. Even though I am saying this now, I still think that I can. I have a lot of work to do.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are welcome. It takes a very wise person to recognise (I’m not going to call it a fault) 🙂 areas in which they need to develop self. You have every right to be young and bull-headed – that’s what youth is for. You don’t however have to stay that way. Keep working on it – you sound like a fine young person.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Why thank you! I try, I try! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
lol so humble too
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can only try! That’s one way to succeed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice! I have a friend that recommended I do yoga. I know very little, if anything at all, about it. It is important to bring mind and body more in unison, as the daily hustles and bustles separate them. After reading this, I am definitely considering it more! Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Oh I highly recommend it. Is helped me in my daily life. I find myself taking a few breaths instead of “going off on people” lol but try a few out first. Like I’ve shown here, they’re not all the same and you’re welcome 🙏🏾
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol, I think that is why she recommended it – she would ask a question and get a long rant for an answer. I’ll take a few breaths! lol
LikeLike
Going into zen and sharing your insights is awesome! I went back to my yoga practice yesterday and I felt great after. I don’t know if I can do it everyday but will try as much as I could. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! Yes I always feel great after and I definitely know at this one every day is too much lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
You said it, K E! It can really help to do something different. I just took the first class of a ten month Soul Centered Living program, what great insights into what’s next for me. Blessings to you
LikeLiked by 5 people
Ten months sounds like quite a commitment Debbie! I can’t wait to hear how it’s helped you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It’s been a blessing already. I’ve done ideal scenes on my move, on my new living situation, on my health, and on opening to relationship.
Sending smiles and hugs your way.
LikeLiked by 1 person