who are your heroes

As children we all have heroes. A fireman, astronaut or a ballerina, roles we want to play. As we get a little older we get more specific. We want to be Wonder Woman, the Incredible Hulk, Alice in Wonderland, a Ninja Turtle, Harry Potter or one of the Disney Princesses.

Then our small childhood worlds expand as we begin to look outside ourselves and our fantasies. We begin to be inspired by real people, people we read about, some historical and some real. People in our lives. Our parents or grandparents. We are no longer inspired by their roles but by their actions, their character, their grace.

This time of year, as we sink into the holidays of so many traditions, is a time not only for celebration but also for reflection. This year I’m reflecting on my heroes, the people who have, and continue to inspire me.

As a simple practice for the month of December I invite you to join me to take a few moments each day to get into child’s pose and take a rest and pause. Take that few minutes to remember and recognize and shower gratitude on a hero in your life.

See if you can begin with your earliest hero from childhood and then let it grow from there. It’s a 31 Day practice since December has 31 days. Find a new journal and place it in the spot where you’ll ease into child’s pose and write each name down each day and a few words about why that person is or was your hero.

Let me know what happens.

For child’s pose… we always have Adriene to guide us. Child’s pose, balasana, is a tricky pose to try at the office in our Yoga@Work chair yoga programs. It’s more of an on-the-mat pose. It’s worth the effort to get all set up with some pillows to put underneath your belly or even behind your knees to make it comfortable.

Make it work for you. You can rest here for 5-15 minutes using it as a restorative pose as you reflect on your hero of the day.

Be well, it’s a state of mind.