I ask myself the question "why do I practice yoga?" every time I'm on the mat. Sometimes the challenge for my body is too much. It hurts. I can't do what everyone else can, yet, there is nothing else that I'd rather do. It is the time when I feel whole. I feel at peace, quiet, focused and happy. I feel that I know so little and there is so much to learn. I realize that my body, mind, and spirit make up a tiny universe. And if I can create peace in this universe, I can go outside of it and make peace with everything that's going on in the world. I can be a better daughter, wife, mother, friend, teacher. ​
I've learned that progress takes years of practice. But with patience, perseverance and practice, I can teach my body to do padmasana or come up in hand stand.
I've learned that I can be quiet, grateful and focused in a time of distress.
I've learned that being a risk-taker and jumping off a 30-foot high cliff into warm Caribbean sea isn't worth it because I can get injured and not be able to practice yoga.
I've learned to listen to my body and be realistic about its abilities. I fell out of sirsasana once and the psychological trauma was much more difficult and time-consuming to deal with than physiological injury.
I've learned that controlling my mind is close to impossible and I hope that through controlling my body, I can somehow harness the energy of my mind.
I've learned that I'm most attached to my emotions (unfortunately, the negative ones) and breaking down the vicious cycle is as hard as controlling my mind.
I've leaned that I can be incredibly lazy and unmotivated when it comes to practicing yoga. That as much as I love to practice, at times I have to force myself to do it.
I've learned that I enjoy chanting in Sanskrit as if it's my second nature to praise God in language I hardly know, yet it makes so much sense because I understand it in some mysterious way, almost on a cellular level.
I have gained a whole world of knowledge, yet I know so very little.
I've learned from incredible teachers. I've made friendships that are based on a strong foundation of mutual love for yoga.
I'm fortunate to be a part of a small yoga coop and to have students that come to my class to learn with me and from me.
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