Why are we unhappy? Why are we not satisfied? We all want something more. Everytime we achieve or attain a desire, it is usually followed by what we want next.

We buy a new dress, we immediately plan for buying the next one. We go out for a dinner, we don't bat an eyelid before saying we are doing it again next week.

We are running. But where to? We are competing. But against whom? We are comparing. But with what? We are envious. But of whom?

Who is this imaginary person you have envisaged in your mind that is better than you at every point in your life? Because every single time we go through something good, very rarely do we just think that this moment is precious. I want to soak it in.

I still don't find myself being able to. I get envious of my husband sometimes. He doesn't own a smart phone. He doesn't have an instagram profile. He doesn't give a dime about selfies. He is happy doing his work.

Why is vanity such a big driver for most of us? I have been battling this for a long time. This notion to look perfect. To present the best image of our life.

We are a very voyeuristic species. We want to see what our neighbor is up to. We want to look at someone's holiday pictures and grovel at the lack of happiness in our lives. We want to look at someone enjoying a fabulous meal and loathe in some self pity of how mundane our meals are.

And how do we want us to make ourselves feel better?

We want to go to an even better place for our vacation and capture that perfect sunset with our hair blowing in the wind. We might as well add a few poetic lines for some extra effect. And we want others to feel envious of our glorious lives.

We want to go to a cafe with some friends and keep ourselves busy snap chatting and adding instagram stories and not really have a heart to heart with the person right in front of us.

Now thanks to social media, there are opportunities aplenty. I am also not a holier than thou person. I have been guilty of this very act many times. Infact just today I had a girl's night out with my best friend for the first time after I delivered. We went through the whole drill. Food photos, selfies, poses and all that jazz. We did have a good conversation but the phone was always a constant companion. It's like an extension of our body pretty much.
On contemplation I realise, without even us knowing we have let our lives to be ruled by our most basic desires. Envy, lust, pride. Now there is nothing wrong in experiencing this. But aren't we an evolved species that was destined to achieve the greater superior things in life? I am sure we have scaled amazing heights in different sectors but when it comes to something as simple as accepting who you are.

We resist.

We want to portray the best side of our lives. So many of our thoughts are fuelled by our desires. But when those desires start ruling our thoughts we never realise.

I learnt the importance of साधना or practice when I was studying Yoga.
I was taught to just practice. Forget about the results. Just practice. And results will come.

Isn't that what our life is all about? Every single moment is nothing but our साधना. What if we treat everything we do as our sacred practice to get better.

It could be anything.

Learning a hobby, reading a book, watching TV, taking a holiday, meeting friends, spending some me time or just being lazy.

What if we thought of every single activity of our lives as a stepping stone to making ourselves a better person? That would probably motivate us be in that moment whole heartedly and really enjoy.

There is nothing more beautiful than experiencing sheer joy and holding it in your own bubble of a mind.

Cherish it. Write about it to yourself if you feel like. Talk about it to your closest companion or your children or your parents. But don't bother about validation from a random thousand eyes who don't really give a f*** about what you truly love.

You have one life. Build memories. Moments that you will love to talk about to your grand kids because you fiercely lived in them. Not because you got a hundred odd likes which made it your most popular post.

I was thinking long and hard about whether I should share this photo or not. Because I felt I did not look perfect in this.  I have something that is dreaded by majority of women.
Belly fat.

And why do I have it?

Because I nurtured a tiny human inside of me for 9 months.
Because I went through labour and a c section and lived to tell the tale.

I could have worn tighter clothing to camouflage the tummy, but I decided to just let it and speak the amazing form and strength of my body in this pose to speak for itself.

I see and read of countless women who want to have flat tummies. Who want to have slimmer thighs. Who want to have less jigglier butts. Who want to have a sexy back.

Off course you can desire all these. Nothing wrong in that.

But my only advice to every one of you is Be Patient. Give it time. And work hard. It takes effort and sweat and pain to achieve all the things you truly desire. And show yourself some kindness.

The question is how strong is the flame? How badly do you want it?

Ask yourself. Only you can answer that.

The asana shown here is a variation of dandasana or the plank pose. Instead of being on the palms I am on the elbows.

It is brilliant to work the core muscles. Targets the back, the butt and the legs too.

Remember to keep the shoulders away from the ears and directly above the elbows, engage the legs by keeping the knees active and keep the core strong by sucking the navel to the spine. Never hold your breath. Keep your neck strong. You can see the feet in the photo but they are close to each other with the toes tucked in.
All these tips will help you to prevent from collapsing the core.

Beginners can start on their knees. Google for correct alignment.

Start with 10 seconds and very slowly work your way up to 60 or as you feel comfortable.

Get medical advice for practice during pregnancy. It can be practiced 3 months after natural delivery and 6 months after c section. But always check with your doctor.

Stay healthy. Stay happy. Have a safe practice.

#slayfitmama

Lots of love to each one of you strong women.