“Nothing lasting can be built on a shaky foundation.” (Kaminoff and Matthews 73)
Curated Song: The Journey - Sol Rising (listen along for full immersion)
Planting My Roots
My yoga journey started six years ago when I took my first yoga and meditation class at The University of Florida. I began my practice in efforts to counter the imminent stress of everyday life. After years of daily mindfulness, my journey has evolved into something much larger, a deep connection into what “is,” into our true, raw nature.
Just as the universe nudged me to buy a one-way ticket to San Francisco, I felt that same draw the moment I laid eyes on my current yoga studio, Yoga Garden. Sure, the place looks like it is out of a fairytale, but there was a much more powerful, tangible connection to be FELT here.
In other words, Yoga Garden chose me.
After a month of exploring the classes, teachers and overall vibe of the studio, I put down my deposit with the understanding that I was once again plunging down the rabbit hole of personal growth and consciousness.
My Definition Of Yoga
Yoga is life. That may sound silly to some, but given that everyone has their own personal definition, I choose to believe that Yoga is a connection to the present; this moment is all we truly have. The future and past don’t exist, although they may form some of our habits and construct a framework for the decisions we have yet to make.
Asana practice, the physical aspect of yoga, is a way of connecting to the body and mind in the present. It is through this practice that we can begin to discover the depths of what we actually are, which is far greater than our minds, alone, can comprehend. In Yoga, we learn to control and connect with our breath, the practice of pranayama, in collaboration with our physical asana practice.
As I’ve learned, these two concepts are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything that Yoga has to offer, but they are certainly an incredible start to a life-long journey of exploration.
Let The Adventure Begin...
As with all my posts, I don’t know where this blog will go, which is perfect as Yoga really tests one’s resilience to uncertainty and the unknown. I will, however, aim to fuse what I am learning in class to inform and awaken you to that which you already know.
That being said, anything can happen, but here are some topics I’ve been curious to explore further within this blog:
- Balance
- Fear
- Intuition
Works Cited:
“Yoga Anatomy.” Yoga Anatomy, by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews, Human Kinetics, 2012.