summer school + yoga

Yoga has gotten me through a lot. A lot.
Currently, yoga is seeing me through an utterly hectic 12 credits over summer. I didn't quite realize how challenging that would be. When I tell people my course load they look at me like I'm insane, they ask me, "Are you insane?!" and honestly, sometimes I do feel insane over it. But now, as the semester nears its end, I feel incredibly confident and strong. Like a flower opening up to the sun, day after day, ready for whatever winds, rain, and insects might come. I attribute this serene feeling during such a hectic time in my life to a few things: First, I'm not working this summer. It goes without saying how much that helps. Second, I have an incredibly supportive web of friends and family. They cook for me when I'm too busy to do it myself, they get me out of the house when I'm at my wits end, and they offer unceasing encouragement through the whole process. Third, I have refused to let yoga take a backseat to my homework. I think this has helped me the most.
I first registered for summer with 14 credits. I had signed up for a 2 credit yoga class that I thought I'd be able to handle because I do yoga so frequently anyway. After the first week of school I realized the extra day of driving and the extra, albeit simple, assignments would be too much for me. I wanted to take the class because, lets face it, I'm lacking any sort of formal training; I've never been able to stick with a teacher, or even a studio for that matter. Taking yoga through school was an opportunity for me to earn credit and progress in my beloved practice under a legitimate teacher. Two birds with one stone, essentially.
Before I committed myself so much to yoga, I was a ball of stress and nerves, anxiety and anger. I know for a fact that if I had neglected my practice during these 3 months I'd be crying daily, waking up and going to bed angry, and basically hating the world around me. I know yoga is the reason I've been able to rise above those hurtful and angry emotions. If it weren't for yoga, I wouldn't be able to express my gratitude to my loved ones that have helped me oh so much these months. It's obvious to others that knew me before my yoga immersion how much this has helped me. It's helped me not only to deal with stress, but to grow into the woman I know I am deep down. It's helped me tap into, and radiate, my true Self.
Surprisingly, it's been in the past 3 months of crazy school work that my abilities have skyrocketed. Before this summer, I couldn't balance on my arms, I couldn't stand on my head, and I wouldn't dream of trying a jump through. Now, I can balance on my arms (sideways, even!), I can stand on my head, and I'm very close to clearing my feet when I try to jump through! The joys I experience when practicing far outweigh whatever other challenges I'm facing in life.
But alas, with 2 weeks left in the semester I caught a cold. I haven't been sick in 3 whole years. My friends assure me students tend to get sick near the end of a semester, so I guess that's why. The cold kept me away from a full practice for nearly a week. Thankfully, I got a full hour in today; the rest of the week is still uncertain. Add that to 7 exams in 2 weeks and you get a compromised practice.
With the end of the semester nearing I've tapped in more to my breath. Deep breathing and silent chants are my salvation this week. And probably next week, until the semester ends. I can hardly think of anything else besides school right now, but I keep having this little thought creep into my head: practice, practice, practice! It's not demanding, it's exciting. I can't wait to dedicate some serious thought and effort into my practice. There are so many things I want to try and refine, but I must be patient. Patience is another thing yoga has taught me ;)
So the moral is: Yoga can get me through anything.