See the Invisible

The first weekend of my yoga teacher training course is under my belt, and I have to say the first day was fairly tough.  It seems as though an immense amount of time has past since I’ve been in any type of classroom setting, so focusing for eight straight hours has proven to be a challenge all on its own.  However, I left feeling uplifted and encouraged regarding my commitment to finish this course.  You see, like many of us in today’s day and age, I can easily look at someone else to see my shortcomings.   When pertaining to yoga I can see that I’m not as flexible as the girl on the mat next to me, I can’t hold crow pose as long as the guy across the room, I need to be more “spiritual” like my yoga teacher, and the list goes on. If you can relate to this you are also aware that this line of thinking is exhausting! Here is an excerpt from a reading we were assigned for class that you may find uplifting:

“One of our greatest challenges as Westerners practicing yoga is to learn to perceive progress through “invisible” signs, signs that are quite often unacknowledged by the culture at large.  Are we moving toward greater kindness, patience, or tolerance toward others?  Are we able to remain calm and centered even when others around us become agitated and angry?  How we speak, how we treat others, and how we live are more subjective qualities and attributes we need to learn to recognize in ourselves as a testament to our own progress and as gauges of authenticity in our potential teachers.  When we remain committed to our most deeply held values we can begin to discern the difference between the appearance of achievement and the true experience of transformation, and thereby free ourselves to pursue those things of real value.”  (“Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit,” pg. 8 Donna Farhi)

The idea of yoga is not to simply strive to do the most “challenging” poses, or, “…about self improvement or making ourselves better.  It is a process of deconstructing barriers we may have erected that prevent us form having an authentic connection with ourselves and with the world.”  ("Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit,” pg. 5 Donna Farhi).

Stop comparing yourself to others, and become aware of the changes occurring inside of your very being.