It’s been a year since I have worked in an office. The daily
interactions, routines, interruptions, and conflicts have mostly been absent in
my new life. My environment has grown around my commitment to yoga. At home I
have long stretches of time to study, practice and create. The quiet and
contemplative space that I have cultivated allows me to go deeper into my
understanding of what I learn. When I work, I am surrounded by supportive
like-minded colleagues whom I deeply appreciate. This is the vocation I dreamed
for myself, and I am bursting with joy!
I have only very recently connected to the reason for this providential
conversion. There are people who need yoga, some desperately. I see people
struggle with confusion. I witness people react to their circumstances by
withdrawing into a corner or erupting in emotion. I see this with a new
clarity, as it has been mostly absent in my daily experience for quite a while.
Mostly absent, yet always present within me somewhere. Yoga has given me the
tools to manage these tangles. Now it is time for me to offer what I have
learned.
1.
Breathe
Whenever I feel scrambled, which is often,
I have learned to step back and breathe. I don’t need to answer right away; I
don’t need to jump at expectations. When I focus on my breath, I remind myself
that I am here. This brings whatever else is happening into perspective.
2.
Listen
Often I notice people talking over each
other, there seems to be an urgency to be heard. Sometimes I think I know what needs
to be said, and I am sure that I need to say it. When I listen, I receive new
information that shifts what I thought I knew.
3.
Act
I was terrified walking into my first yoga
class by myself. I stayed in the back of the room. I came back the next week. I
kept coming back. I got to know the teacher. I followed everything I could find
about yoga. I applied to Kripalu for training and was accepted. Now I am the
teacher. When I get waves of fear or nervousness, I teach anyway.
4.
Love
There were times that I have felt so isolated
and heartbroken; I didn’t believe my life mattered. In my despair, new angels
came into my life. They offered me kindness, even though I didn’t understand
why. More angels joined them, and before long my life became flooded with angels.
Everywhere I look now, eyes shine at me.
When I smile at them, they smile back. And then I welcome them to class.
