Change Happens One Breath at a Time

Remember that change happens one breath at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I had to fly half way around the world– to India– to find out that I was still the only one who could do my practice forme. Same me as back in Ohio. No one else was going to do it for me.

When emotions arise you feel raw. Know this. It’s a sign you are on the path. The tricky part at this stage is NOT to react to them. As Rumi says, they are your guides who may set you free for some new delight Reacting will send you back into your old samskara, or tendency. It’s a sneaky trick your ego plays on your to preserve itself and all of it’s dysfunctional ways that keep you stuck.

When emotions arise, that is when you buckle up for the ride, when you use the tools of the practice. Breathing. Breathing in and out. Bandhas. Mindfullness, the same way you would in an uncomfortable yoga pose. In some ways, this kind of improvisational practice in the moment when sh*t happens is far more effective than a scheduled practice on the mat.

It’s easy to get discouraged when in the clutch of difficulty. But that is when we have the kula– our yoga community– to support us. Show up for class. Reach out and talk to your neighbor. Your energy will begin to shift one breath at a time.

And who knows, you might just have a new friend!

Love and light,