Funny, the more yoga I do, the less I
have to say about it. More accurately, what comes out of my mouth and
my head/heart gets simpler as my practice matures.
I am less concerned than ever about
where I place my mat in class, what I’m wearing, whether or not
I’ll ever do a handstand without a wall (OK, I still dream about
this one), and whether home practice is better than class. I have
cared deeply about every one of these, but they’re receding in the
rear view mirror, if you know what I mean.
What I do contemplate now, on and off
the mat, are things like this:
Open is better than closed. Open body,
open mind, open heart. Not always easier, but always preferable.
Discomfort goes away when I don’t
meet it with resistance. (Tight hips are one thing. “Oh my god,
these hips are killing me, why won’t they let go, I’ll never be
able to do a stinking King Pigeon” is resistance.)
My body knows what it wants. This is
more important than any outside advice.
Pushing doesn’t work. Google
Sisyphus.
Accepting what is grants me immediate
freedom. All of a sudden my head is 90 percent quieter.
Judging me or anyone else is a colossal
misuse of energy and erodes everything I love about myself and my
life.
Courage and trust are the best
companions ever. Feed them well.
Joy makes me healthy.
And as always, love wins.
Is it getting simpler for you? Or more complex? I’d
love to hear.
Thanks to yoga for keeping it simple.
Thanks very much to you for the conversation,
kristin
Dr.
Kristin Shepherd is a chiropractor, actor, and speaker (About All
Things Wonderful) in North Bay, Ontario. Join her on the web,
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