Yoga and me? We’ve had a complicated relationship for over twenty years.
It certainly saved me, sure, but also push me away with its cult vibes or blatant sales tactics. Then welcomed me back as an old friend who doesn’t judge you for being late and emotionally shattered.
I’ve rolled out my mat in unfamiliar cities, felt out of place in studios where everyone seemed floating, on a gluten-free diet, sweating an elixir of eternal enlightenment, smelling of paradise. Mine, of course, is not; it is water filled with salty debris.
I have had a fair share of bodily injuries from following others’ guidance instead of my instincts. I’ve ignored and hurt my body/soul following paths that, though not my own, brought me back to myself unexpectedly. Of course, I’ve often wondered whether this path is right for me.
I will continue to visit places I have never been to before, but I will also make sure I have space at home and in my heart to keep it real, imperfect, a personal yoga practice that moves my life.
I am an outsider, a bit of a free spirit, but with a soulful side too. Let’s breathe, stretch, reflect, laugh, and enjoy a moment of pure silence.