Off the mat

Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience. 

Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth. 

Just for now, be boundless, free, awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet. 

Drink in the possibility of being who and what you really are, so fully alive, that when you open your eyes the world looks different, newly born and vibrant, just for now. 

- Danna Faulds

How do you feel when you practice yoga? Are you present in the moment and notice the clearing of the mind, the lift in your mood, the ooey gooey good feeling when you release down in savasana? 

Do you wait for the next asana, or are you free in your thoughts, boundless in your body, enjoying this exact moment?

Do you notice the moment when separation drops away? When body, mind and spirit become one? 

Can yoga not only teach you and give you these feelings on the mat, but also off the mat? My biggest challenge in yoga is practicing it off the mat as well. Knowing that yoga has taught be how to relax, how to live in the moment, how to handle challenging situations. It has taught be to breathe. It has taught me to have an open heart. To do things whole heartedly. To love, love, love, and love some more. 

What has yoga taught you about life off the mat? 

A Single Step

Begin with a single step.

Treat your yoga practice this way. The first step in mastering an advanced pose is simply giving it a try. And knowing that there is no such thing as failure. If you fall, that's great...you're one step closer already because you tried, you gave it your all. And you can try again. Don't let fear stop you. 

Start right now, take the step - take a leap of faith. Trust in your body, for your body can do amazing things. 

Drop expectation, drop judgement, drop your ideals, drop jealousy. Don't look at anyone else's practice.  Pick up strength, pick up determination, pick up faith, pick up trust. Look at your practice and your own journey in yoga. 

What can you work on to help you achieve the advanced pose? Never ever give up. Be patient. 

Feel good in your practice. Trust your body and listen to it. What does it need right now? Don't push yourself, with each day and each step you take, you are inching closer to your goals.  Yoga teaches us to love our bodies, to love where we are, right here, right now. 

Take the step....hell, take a leap. Jump in. Enjoy the ride.