Yoga... 10 years Later

I was thinking this morning about the instantaneous effect yoga brings. When you practice yoga for a very, very long time, your body/mind/spirit become used to tuning in to the present. It's like the minute you take that first conscious breath you go on autopilot. But it's not a foggy autopilot... it's a completely aware autopilot, it's hard to explain.

My practice begins. I turn my palms up, ready to receive. I take a deep breath, completely filling my lungs. Slowly I exhale, feeling my muscles instantly melting, letting go. My feet root to the ground. My crown chakra opens and light comes pouring in. I no longer have to think. I can completely trust, go on instinct, let the breath take control. It's a lovely place.

"Let's inhale up" I say. My arms raise joyously, thankfully... ahhh yoga.

Those first couple movements, those first couple breaths are so precious. It's like coming home to rest. Automatically I am led through an opening series. I'm ashamed to admit this but sometimes I forget anyone else is there. They remind me :) After the first couple movements I become focused, super aware of the needs of all in the room. Ahhh, hips today. Or shoulders.

Once we are warmed up, I get a tremendous burst of energy. I wander about, zeroing in on each person. With my regulars sometimes I just have to look... I say, "let's use that exhale to...." and 4 people lower their shoulders, smiling. I circle the newcomers, sensing whether they want to be touched or led and adjust them if they are open to it. Sometimes I just lay a hand on my yogis shoulders... I am there... all is well... and I love you.

Course the I isn't I by then. --insert tremendous look of gratitude here.

Usually by mid-point, the energy becomes contagious. Smiles get bigger. Gentle teasing ensues (usually my students teasing me LOL) Giggling becomes the sound that replaces the breath. Ahh, we are ready to balance. You can't be so serious if you want to balance. Think about it. If balance is a yin/yang opportunity, wouldn't it stand to reason that seriousness & laughter go hand in hand? There is a wealth of wisdom in that statement.

Depending on who is in the class, sometimes I let myself get lost in a balance. People struggle with balance so much. It makes some of them angry and hard on themselves. If they see other's such as myself balancing without effort, it makes them angry at me. I understand. I was there. We've all been there. It depends on them whether they are inspired or envious. Same with stretching. I have gone into a deep forward bend and had students exclaim that they hate me. I understand. But I didn't get there overnight. I say a quick prayer that they find the same joy and motivation to stick with it.

By the time we get to relaxation, my spirit is light. I am filled with love. I send healing energy and prayers to my students as they lay there. I feel maternal as I watch them rest. I put them all in a large hug of light and hope they find what they need and understand it may not be what they want. Ahhh yoga.

When people stick with it and actually "get it", it is one of the most beautiful joys in the world. I see it on their faces. And I watch it change their lives. At first this is scary. I understand. I was used to being in control, or so I thought. When I first started being "spacey" it was terrifying. How could I manage everything and still feel so... well... pleasant? The answer was I couldn't.

Thank God. Look where it brought me. Namaste'