Hilary Kaye, NAWBO OC  

Hilary: So glad to hear a fellow PR professional has found yoga. I was at my favoriate yoga studio (www.lotus7yoga.com) this morning and also trying to stay focused during a restorative class. But you know what? When I came back to the office (which also happens to be my home), I was more centered and able to get a lot more done in a shorter period of time. I have been doing yoga for over 10 years and love it. Keep it up!

Hilary, I have done some type of yoga for exercise since my early 20's! A VERY LONG TIME. I don't get too focused, however I do maintain the breathing. I do this on the floor each morning for 40 minutes in front of the TV morning news. A yoga teacher would shudder at this. I will tell you that yoga is vital to my well being. I'm limber, strong, feel great and probably less stressed out than I'd be w/o it. Great blog.

Pilates works for me more than yoga.

I have tried numerous times to do yoga and every time the quiet makes my mind go a million miles a minute! I think of all that I could be doing and want to be doing. I guess some of us were not programmed to do down dogs in a blank mind. Don't get me wrong. I still wish I could touch my toes and do it, but could we set it to some upbeat music and skip the deep breathing for my hectic head? Great post!

Hilary, You are on the right track! I've seen your mind at work, and it may not be telling you right now, but it is SO HAPPY that you are trying to give it a break. Just keep practicing. In your yoga session, there's nothing to achieve at all, except to show up and at give 90 minutes of your attention to Hilary. As for the endless lists, perhaps you could simply set them aside, (knowing, of course that they will still be there at the end of class), and consider your yoga a short scenic tour of your own interior. It can be pretty interesting. Have fun!

All of you are terrific! Thanks for the encouragement and your own tales of calm. Sylvia -- yes, pilates is on the list, but not sure it will bring me calm! Gail - yep, that's what I've been saying, too, all along. Trying to turn over a new leaf, so far, it's feeling pretty good!

Hilary, As a fellow PR and yoga practitioner, I am happy that you are giving it a try. I trek down to The Yoga Spot in San Clemente to get centered. The good news is once you know what's what, it is something you can do at home, too. At first, it is hard to quiet our monkey brain, but it comes; it truly does. And, I definitely won't tell you how many years I've been doing yoga! Enjoy the ride!

I use meditation to relax. In the beginning (more than 5 years ago) I was only able to sit still for 5 minutes at a time, and there were always tasks and to-do's worming their way into my thoughts. Sometimes I'll do a 'brain dump' before I attempt to meditate: I write down all the big and little tasks/goals/to-do's, etc., that are running around in my brain and distracting my attention. I've done yoga in the past, but I've injured myself more than once attempting to do a pose, so I'm not currently doing yoga. I find that stretching before meditating helps to put my body in a more receptive state, and it's beneficial to staying limber. Listening to relaxing music helps to calm my thoughts during stretching and meditation. If you like new age music, much of it is very relaxing. At the gym, after I do my aerobic exercise, I listen to Benjy Wertheimer music on headphones and stretch on a mat; this helps to clear my head. I know a variety of relaxing music if anyone wants to contact me for that information. Prioritizing and otherwise managing time appropriately has a huge impact on our lives when it comes to stress and living in the 'present moment'. Knowing with certainty your priorities, commitments, and goals, and learning the difference between living proactively and 'choosing' your life rather than living reactively can make a big difference in your quality of life. This principle applies to business as well as to life, so that everything you do serves what is important to you or is a commitment (there would be unacceptable consequences if left undone). In the case of business, your activities would serve your customer's needs.

Hil: I've been 'practicing' yoga (off and on) for over 35 years, and there's a reason it's called 'practice.' It's not that 'it' alludes you, "it" truly is all about the journey. Some days (years, decades) you're stronger, some you're more flexible, some just lying on the floor and breathing is all you can do. I too love Lotus 7 in RSM for the atmosphere and quality of the teachers. When I just can't fit in a class, I do a short practice at home- sometimes with a DVD, sometimes an article from Yoga Journal or the web, sources are all around. Hang in there and just experience it all.