It is more challenging to stand up for myself and speak up than to do Uttitha Hasta Padangusthasana (which I also find hard to spell).
It is more challenging to stop judgement towards everyone around and myself than to lift the feet in kurmasana and hold for five breaths.
I find it easier to abstain from extra breaths in the vinyasas than to be kind to everyone I encounter throughout the day without loosing patience and remaining in equanimity.
I find it more challenging to not react when negativity comes my way than to stay calm when my hands are adjusted closer and closer to the feet in Urva dhanurasana...
It is more challenging to really listen and be present in conversations my mind labels "boring" than to contemplate getting into lagu.
I find it easier to respect my body in practice than to tell myself "I love you" all the time and believe it
The mat is just the beginning of the day, it is the draft, the sounding board where preparation for where real yoga is practiced: the moment I step out of it and venture into the world.
How do you experience it?
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Best post ever. Its so true that all the self-work we all do: meditation, yoga, therapy, eating well, exercise, etc is all just "the practice" for the real world, where its infinitely harder. Its like using a little raft to fight against a tsunami sometimes.
ReplyDeletebe peace outside of yoga is very hard! facing stress, work and all, i find it easier on the mat even if , for now, the mat is painfull after this lawerback injury...
ReplyDeleteClaudia
ReplyDeleteEntire life is yoga .Each and every moment in our day to day life is a test of how far we have assimilated the yogic principles which are universal in nature . Unfortunately what is being discussed is only the visible part of Yoga i.e Yoga on the mat .Of course Yoga on the mat is very much needed as it helps us develop health , fitness , discipline and more energy and also helps us keep the mind calm and tranquil for the time being but real test is how far we are able to be centered in all situations in our life .In fact I will write about this as a separate article in my blog .
@James, thank you, I like your tsunami metaphor, it does feel like that sometimes...
ReplyDelete@lilasvb, sending you healing light for the injury... Brave you to keep coming back to the mat, and then dancing!
@Krishna, what you say is what I meant and whY you say makes me tank I need to go back to the drawing board on this post, I am inspired by this idea, glad to see it inspired you too for a post, will keep an eye
i really love your way of talking of yoga! tahnks for your nice words
ReplyDeleteVery well taught lesson. A good teacher makes you want to imitate. Great use of the internet Claudia!
ReplyDeleteThanks fft, :-)
ReplyDeleteLilasvb, thank you
Hmmm...are you suggesting that there might be something problematic with my giving people the finger in traffic on my way to yoga class?
ReplyDeleteYogaforCynics, you crack me up... hmmm, "problematic"? wonder if that is the word... let me check the yoga sutras
ReplyDelete