As I continue to decompress and unpack from a long trip, I have discovered that unpacking happens in many ways. There is the physical kind: unpacking the suitcase, unpacking the body. Then there's the mental kind. Digesting all that I've seen. Processing it. Asking myself how this trip made my life different. The suitcase is finally unpacked so that's a big relief. Getting back on my mat has been another unpacking and took more discipline. The mental unpacking continues.

Europe is chock full of mountains. Most cities that I visited were very hilly. Coming from flat Florida it was a pleasure to see mountains. It was June. The Tuscany mountain air so fresh, so clean. No humidity. I usually can not tolerate temperatures below 70. But the slight crisp clean feel was pleasant and inviting.

Why Am I Not on My Mat?

Walking these mountains was a whole other story. I got a ton of exercise walking the steep sidewalks of Lisbon, trekking the volcanic peaks of Tuscany, and hiking the hilly streets of the archeological city of Pompeii. Yet, it also was a lesson in making sure to stick close to my yoga mat as I travel. This, I did not do. My mind went to, "this is enough physical exertion for one day" after hiking Rome or Pompeii in the 95 degree heat of the day.

Excuses or Self-Awareness?

Were these excuses? Perhaps, but I also learned that one needs to pace oneself differently as we age. I choose to see this as a deeper discovery of myself and maybe that I need to change things.

We need to be observant of what works best for our new bodies at the present time. Every day, we have a new body. We have to listen to it and make judgments at the present time.

Sure, I could kick myself for not doing a little more yoga on my trip. Or I can say, I did the right thing at the time and now I have to work a little harder to catch up. Whatever your perspective, focus on where you are at the moment in time.

I am now back to having to work harder to get closer to what it means to be on my mat again.

What it Means to Get Back on the Mat

To do that, the mental and spiritual unpacking kicks in. Disciplining oneself to do a physical task takes centeredness. To do this, I like to keep my mat rolled out. I use it as a reminder (or, perhaps, a magnet) to get on the mat again.

Getting on the mat helps to get closer to the body and mind. I tell myself that I will do "just these three poses," but once I'm there I find that I've really got other things that my body needs. So, it continues beyond the original 3-poses plan. Once beginning the movement, the mental and spiritual follow. Yoga asana is done with the body, but as we concentrate on the movement we can move into that concentrated meditative state. It then becomes more internal, spiritual and mental.

Don't forget to breathe!