Staying Light in Your Yoga Practice & in Your Life

Okay...it's true confession time. Lately, I've been taking things a bit too seriously (picture me hanging my head in shame, as I'm not too proud of this fact). As some of you mentioned -- a recent post or two was a bit negative (yeah, there may have been some whining and complaining going on). Despite my best efforts, I sometimes find myself losing the forrest for the trees.

I'm not sure where this idea that a person who practices yoga lets everything roll off his/her back and has no cares or concerns (and sits in Lotus calmy and serenely all day long) but I assure you that it's not true -- at least in regards to me (after all, I can only speak for myself). Us yogis are just like everyone else -- we have good days and bad (I'm happy to say that I have less bad because of my yoga practice). I'm working on embracing it all -- the good and the bad (and that goes for the good and bad in the world and in me). Sometimes though, I falter.

Because I write this blog, I'm lucky enough to be called to the carpet when I do. I realize that when you expose yourself in a public forum such as this that you'll have people that think you're great and others that think you're a turkey with nothing of value to say. In fact, I'm sure that often readers will fall somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum depending on a given post. Before yoga I would have wanted to run and hide (think turtle retreating into shell here for a little extra imagery), but now I know that the "negative" comments are like a gift. They shake me out of my too-serious reverie by calling attention to the fact that perhaps I'm viewing something in a judgmental, small-minded way.

So when I write up my little what-the-heck lists like a did a few posts ago, I know that I can count on getting feedback that helps me put things into perspective. What years ago I would have looked upon as a personal attack or disapproval or a sign that I'm unworthy instead turns into a valuable lesson. Gee, I guess that's perspective. If only I didn't lose it now and again perhaps I would be sitting calmly and serenely in Lotus all day...

What I'm getting at here is that I'm thankful for the reminder to lighten up. The truth is that I have been taking things way too seriously and I'm looking forward to changing that. And since the universe always provides, I got a little treat in my inbox today in the form of an audio from Gary Kraftsow (one of my favorite yoga teachers). Guess what the topic is? Yep, you guessed it -- Yoga Laughter. The audio clip is all about staying light and "childlike" in your practice of yoga and your way of being in the world. Yes, I needed that. And I'd like to share it with you as well...

Click here to listen to the wonderful wisdom of Gary Kraftsow, and...lighten up!

Namaste!

Comments

[Diane]

Hi Yoga Mama!
Thanks for your comment! It's funny how people seem to assume that yogis are on some sort of unemotional even keel, isn't it? You're right -- we're human!!!!! We get ticked off, impatient, etc. I like to think that I get ticked off, impatient, etc. less than I used to and that I am better able to recognize when I'm getting ticked off, impatient, etc. and diffuse the situation. Ah, the benefits of yoga! Thanks again for words. I'm glad you found the blog too! Here's to being human! Celebrate it and enjoy!

[Yoga Mama]

I totally agree with your post. Actually, I had a similar situation where I was venting to some of my yoga students today. They said, "well that's not very yoga like..." in terms of, I shouldn't let things get to me. I'm still a human being people! But I do agree, yoga let's me cope with life a lot more than I would without it.

Keep up the great posts - so glad I recently found your blog.