Yoga off the Mat is an expression I've heard ever since I started doing yoga 7 years ago -- and it finally hit me what it means. The yoga teacher had us do a particularly uncomfortable position. She encouraged us to go deeper into it. Each time I tried, I felt more uncomfortable and tensed up -- which made me feel more uncomfortable, which made me tense up even more -- you get the idea. At one point she said, "Make the effort you can and then just surrender." I did. I was able to relax more deeply into the pose and then just let go of forcing it. Surrender doesn't mean giving up. It means letting go of what is beyond your power to conrol. I have carried this concept with me steadily for the past few weeks, and my load feels lighter. My husband, who as been practicing Tai Kwan Do for years and understands that strength comes from being relaxed and ready, actually applauded when I told him about my discovery.

I blog about couples and illness at:

http://www.insicknessinhealth.blogspot.com