This summer’s two-month RV road trip was an adventure of movement—23 states, endless highways, and the joy of family time. But movement isn’t the same as practice.
Being on the road meant a pause in Taekwondo and only spotty yoga sessions, rolled out on my travel mat whenever space and stillness allowed.
By the time we got back, my body and mind were aching for structure. We had tested and earned our blue/white stripe belts before leaving, and I promised myself (and the kids) that we would return to the mat as soon as we were back home.
Yoga, too, was calling. My body craves it. Needs it. Life simply doesn’t function as well without it.
The Discipline of Taekwondo
Taekwondo wasn’t on my “bingo card,” but now that I’m in it, I’m hooked. The yelling, the kicks, the punches—it’s a rush. It’s stress relief in motion. Each practice stretches me physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I love what I’ve been able to achieve, and I love what my children are witnessing. Our practice is filled with people from every walk of life, all learning and encouraging each other. That diversity, that spirit, is something I treasure for them.
I’ve learned discipline, gained confidence, and yes—dealt with the soreness that comes from new demands on knees and hips. But instead of backing away, I’m leaning into technique, focusing on form, and setting my sights on black belt.
The Lifeline of Yoga
If Taekwondo is a challenge, yoga is life. It is my lifeline—what centers me so I can handle everything else.
On the back porch, the mat is my studio. The kids know the rule: when I’m practicing, you either join quietly, sit quietly, or roam the yard quietly. They respect the boundary, and it’s made the practice even more sacred.
Mornings are often vinyasa flows to energize me for the day. Evenings and weekends bring slower hatha, yin, or restorative practices—my body’s reset button. Over time, I’ve stopped judging myself. I meet my body and my breath where they are, day by day. And that has been its own healing.
The Power of Stillness
Stillness is everything. Our world seems to be none stop. I have written about reclaiming peace, and I’m learning that stillness is where peace begins.
For me, it looks like hot tea on the porch, unplugged, listening to the birds and the bugs. It’s where I hear God, where I hear myself. There’s no ego in the stillness. Only love, understanding, and breath.
Life for me is constant motion: soccer, coaching, Taekwondo, tumbling, school routines, errands, family visits, content creation, writing, and travel (and let’s be honest, traveling with kids is not vacation). But I don’t neglect the stillness anymore.
Because strength without stillness becomes rigid. Flexibility without strength becomes unstable. The two together—discipline and calm, motion and pause—that is where harmony lives.
Lessons from the Mat (and the Ocean)
Even on our Disney Cruise, I carried my travel mat and unrolled it on the balcony in the middle of the ocean. It wasn’t a perfect setup, but it was mine. I created a pocket of quiet, carrying the same boundaries of stillness with my kids that I hold at home. That practice reminded me: no matter where I am—road, ocean, or porch—I must carve out space for stillness and movement.
Now that we’re back, I’m more committed than ever. Taekwondo challenges me to grow. Yoga sustains me. And together, they make me stronger—in body, in spirit, and in stillness.
BTW: “Downtime isn’t wasted time. It is fertile ground for growth.” – Jonah Kest
What’s your version of ‘back to the mat’ — the thing you always return to when life gets hectic?
Other Post You May Enjoy:
Unplugging to Heal: Rest Is Revolutionary
Discover more from Life In AD
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
