The big lesson of this weekend’s training was so obvious, yet in our daily lives, we so often forget about this truth.
In a yoga class, we look at everyone’s bodies, and we are envious of those bodies that can do the “cool” poses – those that can get their toes to pop out of their heads in standing pulling bow; those that can balance on their belly buttons in floor bow; those that can drop down into an effortless toe stand.
And we either think: “one day, I’ll be able to do that,” or “I’ll never be able to do that.” And funny enough, both can be true.
You might NEVER, ever, ever be able to do that pose. Because anatomically, your body is not made to do that pose, and that’s OK.
I will most likely never be able to get both of my hips flat on the floor in pigeon, or bring my knee completely out to the side in tree, because I have horrible hips that rotate in, limiting my rotation (thanks, mom.)
But, I’m able to do a badass eagle, hooking my foot around my calf with an ease that many people will never be able to do.
So why is it that a 180 lb, 5 foot 8 man in his 40s is comparing his body to that of a 5 foot 4, 120 lb, 28 year old woman? It makes no sense, yet we do it all the time, in class and in life, judging each other and ourselves, wishing we could look like that in a pose.
I never realized how huge of a role the ego plays in yoga, which is supposed to be about your own practice, your own body, your own mind. Yet when we lay down our mats in the presence of others, we can’t help but let the ego push and pull us into poses that we’re not meant to do, or we’re not ready for.
My teacher summed it up pretty profoundly at the end of our 21 hours together:
“You’re practicing for a lifetime, not for a cool pose.”
When you learn to let go of that ego, to let go of the comparison to other people, and learn to embrace your body, its limitations and its advantages, you’ll be in a much happier place.
On that note, I’m off to a week of sun, sand and best friend loving. I’m spending the week in St. Kitts, visiting my beautiful, incredibly intelligent best friend Erin, who attends Ross University School of Veterinary Science on the island.
It’s 4 a.m., I’m freezing in this tiny Norfolk airport, Starbucks is staring me in the face, trying to lure me in, and I know I won’t be able to sleep on the planes, but I get to see my best friend in her new home in less than 10 hours, so let the good times roll.
______
UPDATE: I have made it to the beautiful island of St. Kitts and to my beautiful best friend. Here's a cloudy photo from the plane...I promise to take more! Stay tuned for posts on airplane yoga and island life.
Time to explore!
In a yoga class, we look at everyone’s bodies, and we are envious of those bodies that can do the “cool” poses – those that can get their toes to pop out of their heads in standing pulling bow; those that can balance on their belly buttons in floor bow; those that can drop down into an effortless toe stand.
And we either think: “one day, I’ll be able to do that,” or “I’ll never be able to do that.” And funny enough, both can be true.
You might NEVER, ever, ever be able to do that pose. Because anatomically, your body is not made to do that pose, and that’s OK.
I will most likely never be able to get both of my hips flat on the floor in pigeon, or bring my knee completely out to the side in tree, because I have horrible hips that rotate in, limiting my rotation (thanks, mom.)
But, I’m able to do a badass eagle, hooking my foot around my calf with an ease that many people will never be able to do.
So why is it that a 180 lb, 5 foot 8 man in his 40s is comparing his body to that of a 5 foot 4, 120 lb, 28 year old woman? It makes no sense, yet we do it all the time, in class and in life, judging each other and ourselves, wishing we could look like that in a pose.
I never realized how huge of a role the ego plays in yoga, which is supposed to be about your own practice, your own body, your own mind. Yet when we lay down our mats in the presence of others, we can’t help but let the ego push and pull us into poses that we’re not meant to do, or we’re not ready for.
My teacher summed it up pretty profoundly at the end of our 21 hours together:
“You’re practicing for a lifetime, not for a cool pose.”
When you learn to let go of that ego, to let go of the comparison to other people, and learn to embrace your body, its limitations and its advantages, you’ll be in a much happier place.
On that note, I’m off to a week of sun, sand and best friend loving. I’m spending the week in St. Kitts, visiting my beautiful, incredibly intelligent best friend Erin, who attends Ross University School of Veterinary Science on the island.
It’s 4 a.m., I’m freezing in this tiny Norfolk airport, Starbucks is staring me in the face, trying to lure me in, and I know I won’t be able to sleep on the planes, but I get to see my best friend in her new home in less than 10 hours, so let the good times roll.
______
UPDATE: I have made it to the beautiful island of St. Kitts and to my beautiful best friend. Here's a cloudy photo from the plane...I promise to take more! Stay tuned for posts on airplane yoga and island life.
Time to explore!