And the yoga mat said, “Good morning, Daya. Come and sit for awhile…and tell me all about what’s going on in your body, your heart, and your mind…”
Yesterday when the mat called out, Daya said, “No I’m too busy”. And the day before that, she said, “No, I’m too tired”. And the day before that, she said “Okay I’ll come see you later…”, but she never did…because other things got in the way.
Today the mat beckoned again and she answered the gentle call. The mat said, “Just sit…and breathe…and take in the sounds and smells of nature around you. You can laugh on me, cry on me, stomp on me, sleep on me…You can BE any way you need to BE and I won’t judge. I will hold you up…and help you let go. Please visit me every day, and I promise your life will transform.”
Daya spent a long time on her mat that morning, moving and breathing and feeling…she even cried a bit and the mat let her be. She almost fell over in triangle pose and laughed…and the mat let her be. She snorted her way through Kapalabhati breathing and let out a huge sneeze…and the mat let her be. She sat quietly on her cushion, and watched her mind jump all over the place until it slowly settled. And later as she lay down in Savasana with the sunshine on her face and her faithful mat gently supporting her, she let go…
There on her mat, Daya expanded beyond her body, beyond her backyard, and into the blue sky above.
Tomorrow might be a whole different experience – it’s not always blissful on the mat. But Daya will be there…no matter what.
Yoga In My Backyard 
Shannon Stewart said,
May 21, 2016 at 9:55 am
Hey Anne! Have you ever thought of putting a Facebook link on your blog? Or having a dedicated YIMBY page on Facebook? I always enjoy your posts and would “like” and “share” on FB but can’t because they’re in blog format. Maybe I’m missing the link but I think you might have a greater following if that’s what you’re looking for / interested in.
I think this post below is just awesome. It really spoke to me.
Take care and and keep up the great work, Shannon xxx
Sent from my iPad
ANNE STUBBS said,
May 21, 2016 at 11:41 am
Thank you for your kind words, Shannon! See the ways you can share this just under the photo above. You may have to do it by coming right to this website rather than from the blog notification you received in your email. Hope this helps!
Glynis said,
May 21, 2016 at 10:43 am
You are an amazing person and writer. You lead by example and it is good to know that even you sometimes struggle with time on your mat. Thanks and I agree with above .xoxo
ANNE STUBBS said,
May 21, 2016 at 11:38 am
Thank you, Glynis. In yoga, we are taught that poses should be held with steadiness and ease, and I think that relates to the whole practice as well – a steady daily commitment met without resistance…and with fewer excuses! Time on the mat doesn’t have to be hours…it can be just minutes of mindful breathing.
pammacphee said,
May 23, 2016 at 5:57 pm
I love love love this post!!! xo
Kelly Loves Yoga said,
April 13, 2017 at 9:12 am
I just love this story! Sometimes, we get too busy to do the things we should give time for. Finding inner peace is extremely important, something we shouldn’t neglect.