So, in the days following The International Day of Yoga, where are we now?
Did we try a yoga sequence or renew a yoga practice yesterday? Did we embark on another day of asanas today?
The purpose of The International Day of Yoga is to bring awareness to the practice of saluting your body, and in so doing, salute God, or the Universe, or Divine Consciousness. We are a part of all that is. Yoga. To be Whole. To connect with Chi, Love, Energy to help us experience bliss.
Scrolling social media, I saw pictures of perfect bodies doing contortions during sunsets, and on mountaintops, and some on yoga mats in meadows. That's all well and good. But not everybody has a body like those yogis in the pictures. And not everyone can do the poses. So, here's my yoga picture, it's a simple one. I call it arms stretched out, or upward facing airplane. Can you see my not so six-pack abs? I'm okay with not having the perfect body. I hope you are, too. It keeps us real. After all, who needs photo shop when you're amongst friends?
So, I don't have a small waist. While at one time, I taught yoga classes, today I rarely keep a yoga asana practice going after two weeks before I lapse into my non yoga practice that may or may not involve my friends Ben & Jerry. And the truth is, sometimes asanas bore me. Now, my point: there is a yoga practice I like to incorporate into my day: the practice of not being mean to myself.
Asanas, or yoga postures, make up only one branch of yoga. There are eight. The first limb of yoga is called "Yama." And it has nothing to do with putting your body into special alignment. In this branch, we are reminded to have compassion for others, to be truthful, and to respect others, among other things. I encourage all of us to use those prompts on ourselves. Be true to ourselves, learn more about who we are. Have respect for others, but also ourselves. And above all, have compassion and self love.
That said, I understand the importance of moving the body. So here's one of my favorite yogis. You may have already heard of her, as she has more than a million subscribers on youtube. She's Adrienne. And she's awesome! If you're a beginner, don't be afraid to jump in. She makes it easy. And if you're experienced, you'll appreciate her as well.
And while you are in downward facing dog and before you come up for your full cobra, don't forget to show yourself some compassion. That's what real yoga is all about -- connecting yourself to the Divine, to love. And you don't have to be in any special position to do that. And you don't have to be a certain shape, either. And please don't wait for The International Day of Yoga to connect. Do it several times daily!
Tell me your yoga story. Are you a beginner? Experienced? Have you abandoned your practice and want to get back into it? What other limbs of yoga are you familiar with? Comment below.
Geri Hearne is a former yoga instructor, sometimes ice cream eater and a practitioner of self-love.