• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

GingerGarner.com

EudeMOMia | Integrative Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine

  • View DrGingerGarner’s profile on Facebook
  • View MedicalTherapeuticYoga’s profile on Instagram
  • View GingerGarner’s profile on YouTube
  • View gingergarner’s profile on Vimeo
  • Home
  • About
  • Learn
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Publications & Affiliations
    • Podcasts & Interviews
    • Videos
    • Yoga Therapist Training
    • Yoga Teacher Training
    • Courses
      • Attend a Course
      • Host A Course
    • Anti-Aging Resources
    • Mothering Resources
  • Patients
  • Connect

My Greatest Guru

March 26, 2009 – Today, I was hurrying Michael (my 3 year old) into his car seat knowing both he and his brother William (18 months old), were on the cusp of a “I’m-hungry-please-feed-me-now-and-I’m-sleepy-too-melt-down.” I knew I didn’t have long to get them home, fed, and down to naptime before one or both of them imploded.

I put them in the car, buckled in William, told Michael to do the same, and then I got in the front seat, buckled in, started the car, arranged all the items and bags, when Michael asked for “hep”. I got out and groaned – “jeez, Michael, let’s go…”. “Focus”, and I pointed to my eyes, “focus Michael!”

Just then he looked up at me, the reflection in his eyes so innocent and with such a clarity that struck my soul and put everything around me in slow motion….then, without any strife or reaction to my actions, he tried to put his little fingers into a sign. He looked at them for a second, and knitted his toddler brow as if to say – “please help me express myself.” Once he got his fingers to cooperate he looked into my brown eyes with his big, clear, innocent, brown eyes and signed, “I love you.”

The whole word melted like snow – and all my superficial concerns with it. I just stared at my son’s tiny hand, signing “I love you”, and I was amazed and humbled. How could a three year old, my son, have such wisdom and a peace that passes all understanding – in the midst of a stressful moment for him, with his limited ability to speak and express himself; especially when all he knows in this world, his own mother, was being impatient and short with him?

Again he signed “ I love you,” and then the entire world fell silent as I formed the same sign with my hand and carefully matched my fingers up to his. He loves when I do that – and then he smiled his huge, “Michael smile.” He gave me a kiss and a hug and said in his labored vocabulary learned from  months of speech therapy, “yes, kisses and hugs for mommy.” I received 7 kisses.

As I got back into the front seat and backed out of the parking lot to take them home for their lunch and nap, I realized who my greatest yoga guru was…

Although the entire “lesson” transpired in just a minute or two his loving action took no longer than my rough, impatient action. Mere minutes, we should remind ourselves, make all the difference in the world.  Of all the lessons in the world we can learn, learning how to love unconditionally may just be the most important.

Today I learned a lesson in unconditional love, one of remaining undeterred by external circumstances; to love even when it is difficult.

Yes, there are a few Truths in life, and one of them Mother Teresa wrote of, “If you want world peace, go home and love your family.” If I am at all successful in a meaningful, eternal way (not worldly) in my dharma, it is because of my greatest guru: my children.

*photos are of Michael doing his own practice

Share this:

  • Reddit
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: EudeMOMia | From Recovery to Discovery, Mindful Breath & Movement, Mothers Matter, Mothers' Rights & Research, The Yoga Prescription Tagged With: balanced living, parenting, yoga, yoga without a mat

Free videos and book excerpt! Join the transformation…

Enter your email address here to sign up for updates from Dr. G, as well as to receive an excerpt from the Medical Therapeutic Yoga book and a special link for free access to dozens of videos in the Medical Therapeutic Yoga video library.

Previous Post: « Four Reasons Why Every New Mom Needs Physical Therapy
Next Post: 28th Copper Mountain Jazz and Wine Festival »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelly Prosko, BPT, PYT-C, CPI says

    April 2, 2009 at 10:07 am

    This is a beautiful story Ginger. Thanks for sharing. In just a few minutes, I felt my heart open even more. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Ginger Garner says

      June 3, 2012 at 11:54 pm

      Thanks so much for your comment Shelly. I have revisited this blog tonight, on the cusp of celebrating my youngest’s 1st birthday – now over 3 years since this post was written. And it is still as relevant today – I must remember that I have as much to learn (or more) from my children than they will learn from me.

      Reply

Leave a comment... Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dr. G

Meet Dr. G

Hello and welcome to EudeMOMia! I'm Dr. Ginger Garner, a mother of 3 & longtime physical therapist and athletic trainer in women's health. I know what it's like to have to overcome poor health & healthcare, and my goal is to empower & advocate for you to help you move from recovery after birth to discovery of your best self! Learn more...

Mindful Living

Mindfulness & Relationships
Mothers' Rights & Research
Mindful Breath & Movement
Mindful Music

Healthy Living

Spine Health
Shoulder Health
Hip & Pelvic Health
Gut Health

Related

Testimonials


Recent Patient with Ginger

Ginger is working with a postpartum mom with multiple conditions, including second degree tear, vestibulitis, dyspareunia, DRA, non relaxing pelvic floor, back and hip pain,…


Read more

Debbie Peel, Swansboro, NC

I couldn’t recommend Ginger enough! She saved me from a second shoulder surgery. I am very impressed with the way she blends Western medicine with…


Read more

Ruth Hulette, DOM, PYT-C

Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback. I found myself feeling quite sad when I walked away today and realized I only have one…


Read more

Wendy, PT, PYT-C

Thank you for revolutionizing healthcare — I am so honored and proud to be a part of this pioneering movement! Raleigh, North Carolina


Read more

Angie Cooper, Swansboro, NC

Thank you Ginger….thank you, thank you…..for introducing me to yoga. It has been the best thing I’ve ever done for my body and my mind…


Read more

PYT-C from Module 8

Ginger is an amazing instructor and her passion is contagious. This program gives me hope for healthcare.


Read more

Meagan Satinsky PT, PYT-C

Hi Ginger! After having some time to digest the (Professional Yoga Therapist) training last week at Emerald Isle I wanted to drop you a note…


Read more

Dr. Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS

Ginger, Being in your presence the past several days (at Module 8/Yoga as Medicine I) has provided such a light for me for many reasons.…


Read more

Shannon Miller, Swansboro, NC

I can’t thank you enough for ALL you have done for me. Your generosity is overwhelming. Dr. Mather is an excellent physician, and I am…


Read more

Barb Rabin, PT, ATC, PYT

That pink house on the beach was a safe haven where I met all these awesome caring friends and most of all you Ginger Garner…


Read more

Don’t miss a thing.

Sign up for be in the know, including the latest news on events, how you can learn and study with Ginger, blogs and research on hip and women's health (but no spam!) all delivered right to your inbox.

Upcoming Events

  1. Medical Therapeutic Yoga: Foundations for Yoga Practice in Physical Therapy – Feb 21-22, 2020

    February 21, 2020 @ 5:00 pm - February 22, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
  2. Level I Certification

    Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine – Level I Certification – March 13-15, 2020 California

    March 13, 2020 - March 15, 2020
  3. Level I Certification

    Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine Level I Certification – May 1-3, 2020 Charlottesville

    May 1, 2020 - May 3, 2020

View All Events

Let’s Connect

  • View DrGingerGarner’s profile on Facebook
  • View MedicalTherapeuticYoga’s profile on Instagram
  • View GingerGarner’s profile on YouTube
  • View gingergarner’s profile on Vimeo

As featured in…

As featured in…

PODCASTS & LIVE BROADCASTS

View on Instagram

Footer

Quick Links

  • Media Kit
  • Testimonials
  • Events
  • Host A Course
  • Patients
  • Connect
  • Disclaimer

Recent Posts

  • Simple Ways to Sleep Better Tonight
  • Medical Therapeutic Yoga: Using “Windshield Wipers” to Assess & Improve Whole Body Health
  • Is it a Hip Labrum Retear? Plus Easy Hip Hacks & Yoga in Recovery (8 Week, Post 15)
  • Protecting the Sacroiliac Joint in Yoga, Part II
  • Protecting the Sacroiliac Joint in Yoga
  • Earth Day is Our Day
  • Manage Stress & Trauma with this Simple Daily Yoga Habit: The Sensory Diet

RSS The latest from PYTI

  • Mid-Term Essay Requirements
  • “This is What I Do” Series: A Sustainable Model for Healthcare Practice
  • Exit Exam
  • Midterm Exam
  • Revolved Chair Pose – Let the Knee Be Free
  • Recreating ‘Life at the Pink House’ At Home
  • A Meditation: my offering to all of us about to be impacted by Hurricane Florence

Copyright © 2019 Ginger Garner · Disclaimer · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.