Every single one of us is shaped by a lifetime of different experiences and environmental factors, producing entirely different, incomparable beings. From my experience the purpose of yoga is to honor who we are as individuals without comparison or judgement. Yoga is different for each person, and therefore we all gain something different from practicing it.
Thich Nhat Hanh once said, "mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes."
This quote sums up the beauty of an individual yoga journey. I believe that by accepting the present moment through mindfulness, we are actually allowing our minds to speak to our souls. Yoga helps to determine what we need by tapping into the stillness within.
I love speaking with yogis and learning more about their specific path, because it is always so unique to who they are. I wanted to share a little about my experience in hopes that I can learn more about yours.
Past
I went to my first class with my dad when I was twelve. He was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and because there is not an antibiotic treatment, yoga was recommended as an alternative form of healing.
The class was Bikram, which is a 90-minute Hatha class done in an 105 degree room. I remember the strange juxtaposition of physically strenuous exercise and a complete and utter letting go. I also remember being amazed by the incredible amount of strength that it took to hold some of the poses, as well as the quieting of the mind that naturally occurred when that effort was put forth. Bikram was an extreme way to jump into the world of yoga but through it I discovered Vinyasa or “flow” and Ashtanga yoga.
Since that first class, yoga has been a part of my life that I can always go back to. What I mean is that when life gets turbulent as it often does, yoga has served as my oasis. Rather than reaching outward for the support of something else, I know that I can turn inward and discover the strength to push forward. When I feel like I need guidance through a situation, nothing brings the same amount of clarity and peace of mind as yoga does. It provides an outlet for connecting with myself and discovering the stillness within.
Present
Throughout life, our situation evolves and we change with it. The biggest challenge in my life as a working adult has been finding a way to remain centered and not get swept up in the ebb and flow of the world around me.
One hour on the mat a day can calm my mind enough to let me get into my own flow. Even if I fall out of practice for a while (which happens to everyone) I know I can pick up right from where I am. It doesn’t matter how a pose looks, or how flexible I am at any point in time because that comes with a committed practice. What matters is how I feel, how my mind reacts to the practice, and how I can apply that to my life off the mat, too.
Future
Yoga allows those who practice it to live with intention and cultivate their own energies regardless of what is happening around them. That circles back to the idea that a yoga practice is unique to every person. Everyone will take something different from doing yoga, but there is no doubt that something will be gained. It is also unique to the individual because what it inspires in everyone is different. Yoga will allow our expression to flow freely, and it also just makes us calmer and happier overall.
As long as there is something to learn about myself, I will continue to make mine a lifelong practice. I intend to try new styles, connect with more people and grow continuously.
