I remember when I started taking yoga classes, I totally submerged myself in them. I went to class early, to be sure I got a good spot in line. I took a book, read while waiting and when they opened the door, was sure to get my favorite spot in the studio. I took class a lot ( read: 5-6 times a week) and my body responded with great changes as did my mind and just my overall sense of well being.

But then slowly, over many months, I realized that I was started to resent yoga. I started to feel like it was too much, too often and started to mix in some other things as well. This was when I began running more again ( which, oddly enough, I had dropped entirely when my committment to yoga began).

So, what’s the point? Well, there’s a school of thought that says that whatever you point your attention towards can become your whole focus. And just like cake, there’s only so much you can eat before you start to feel sick ( or insert whatever food stuff you feel suits you for this metaphor to work). So, one might not think running or yoga or exercise in general can be like that, but if you put all your eggs in one basket, it’s likely that you’ll burn out.

Why write about this today? Because today was my first yoga practice in five days, the past five days being focused on daily runs. During this marathon training, it’s going to be impossible to deny that running will take the prime spot in terms of my time, but I have to remember to keep a balance and mix in yoga as well. Outside of the wonderful benefits that yoga has for runners (stretching, breathing, balancing, relaxing) it’s so important when you set a goal like running a marathon ( or any goal) to give your body and mind a rest from the goal and a chance to process all that has been done to date.

So, as I practiced this morning with my early morning yoga colleagues in the 6:45 am class, in the same spot on which I placed my mat those nine years ago when I first arrived at the studio, I smiled to myself and realized that I knew about balance all along. I just needed to remind myself. And I can’t wait now to go out for a run tomorrow!