I've been sharing my journey on Instagram for a while now, but sometimes I feel like that format is a little too small for me. Sometimes, it just isn't enough. So, I've decided that I might take up this blogging thing again. At least for today, at least for right now.
My one year yogiversary is coming up this month, and I feel like it's time to stop and reflect a little deeper on all the beautiful things my practice has given me. I want to give back in some way, maybe inspire someone else to look into yoga, and this is the best way I know how. By sharing my own experiences.
My yoga is a lifestyle. A mindful and beautiful lifestyle. My yoga cannot really be defined. I am yoga. I am imperfect. And, I am always changing. My yoga is not only about the physical postures, and it's definitely not about being perfect. It's about connecting with myself on a deep level and accepting my journey in life; trying and failing and not giving up. The past is the past - and now is now. Yoga is about being gentle, kind, giving and doing good, not just to others, but to ourselves as well. We don't have to live in a hut deep down in a fjord, do three hours of physical practice every day and only eat oats and berries to be good yogis. We just have to show up for ourselves - and others. And that kind of sums up my whole philosophy when it comes to yoga.
My one year yogiversary is coming up this month, and I feel like it's time to stop and reflect a little deeper on all the beautiful things my practice has given me. I want to give back in some way, maybe inspire someone else to look into yoga, and this is the best way I know how. By sharing my own experiences.
My yoga is a lifestyle. A mindful and beautiful lifestyle. My yoga cannot really be defined. I am yoga. I am imperfect. And, I am always changing. My yoga is not only about the physical postures, and it's definitely not about being perfect. It's about connecting with myself on a deep level and accepting my journey in life; trying and failing and not giving up. The past is the past - and now is now. Yoga is about being gentle, kind, giving and doing good, not just to others, but to ourselves as well. We don't have to live in a hut deep down in a fjord, do three hours of physical practice every day and only eat oats and berries to be good yogis. We just have to show up for ourselves - and others. And that kind of sums up my whole philosophy when it comes to yoga.
Some days, like today, I don't feel like stepping on my yoga mat. I don't even want to leave my house. I don't want to eat or do the dishes or get the mail. My mind is heavy. I feel drained, tired and stressed. I feel a lot, and I often do. It's exhausting at times, and a beautiful gift other times. But today, it is just exhausting. Yoga isn't a cure for my fatigue or depression, it doesn't take away my chronic pain, and it definitely doesn't perform any kind of miracle. It's a tool, and with this tool I can do some much needed work on myself. I can do physical postures or just take a moment and breathe, deeply, which is something I really suck at on a general basis. I can sit down on the floor and be completely still, even thought it may feel like one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. There is no phone, no TV, no iPad to distract me. Nothing. It's just me and my messy mind. And that is terrifying. To meet myself like that, completely, is a very scary thing. But, I will do it. Again and again. I will roll out my mat later today, and I will go sit on it and face my inner monsters. I will take a moment, I will breathe, and I will do this beautiful thing for myself, because, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will feel better afterwards. My shoulders will have dropped down from my ears, my heartbeats will have slowed down and I will feel much calmer. It doesn't matter to me if this little break from reality lasts for three minutes - or three hours. All that matters to me is that exact moment of completeness; of unity. When it feels like I'm watching a rain storm from afar, while drowning in sunlight. That, to me, is yoga.
Namaste
Beautiful, Barbro - thank you for these words. They inspire me to reflect on what yoga means to me and how I'm able to uniquely embody it. I struggle so much with the asana practice, going from weeks or months or days on the mat to weeks or months or days off of it, but I feel consistently strong in the mind-spirit practices of loving-kindness, compassion, and mindfulness that I also attribute to a yogic lifestyle. It's so much more helpful to celebrate our strengths and our growth than to dwell on what we've not yet achieved. xx Namaste
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, sweetest Casee Marie <3 We all struggle with our practice, and finding that perfect balance.
DeleteYoga is so much more than the physical practice of asanas, and even though I feel like I'm good at practicing kindness and compassion and honesty, I struggle with self study and self care. I have trouble slowing down, and being mindful. But, I think that reviving this blog might help me gain more insight into these shaded areas of my practice. I hope it will.
You are the definition of kindness, Casee Marie. Thank you for being so wonderful!
Congratulations on your upcoming one year yogiversary! I have never done any yoga but no doubt would be much better off now if I had. The lifestyle and mindset sound wonderful. I had never realised how much the mind and state of wellbeing could be helped by yoga. Kudos to you on your journey, and on expressing it and yourself so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's never too late to start a mindful practice of any kind, all you really need is time. It has helped me in ways I cannot describe, and my life is better because of it. The physical practice is just a tiny part of yoga. Everything else is quite invisible ;)
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