Why I Practice...

I woke up this morning before work to get in my daily yoga practice and was struck by a feeling of gratitude so strong I felt the need to share it with you all. Every once in a while I like to take a few moments to think about why I practice yoga. What is it about this practice that brings me back to the mat day after day, year after year?

Though my specific reasons have changed over the years the main theme has remained the same. Yoga helps me feel connected. Connected to my body, my thoughts, my self. So often in life (and I think especially living in a chaotic city like Los Angeles) we are taken away from our bodies by work, spending hours each day in the car, seeing millions of ads telling us that we can 'fix' our bodies with surgery or laser technology that will make us look the way we have always wanted to. When I come to my yoga mat all of that falls away. I am able to just lie on my mat, breath, and recognize that my body is not 'broken' as those plastic surgeons would like me to believe but that it is great the way it is, I can be content. Happy. Present in the moment.

It brings to mind the sanskrit word "Santosha," which means contentment. Not contentment as in "well, I guess it's fine, it will just have to do for now, I'll do more/ be better next time," but REAL contentment, peace, not wishing for more but being truly happy with what is already here, right now. When I practice yoga I am content with my life and myself as it is.

I also find that I can use the work on my mat as a microcosm for my life. It will always be a learning process (one that I welcome and love) to be able to approach facing a stressful situation with same care and compassion that I try to bring to a new arm balance or to Vira I (warrior I). That sense of Santosha (contentment) is present in this as well- knowing that I will do what I can and that is enough. I am enough. I am content.

Peace and blessing to you all.

Om Shanti.

Namaste.