And Now, a Word About Yoga
Image by kk+ on Flickr
On the heels of yesterday’s account of my yoga retreat, and realizing that many of you do not practice yoga, I wanted to clarify why I write about yoga here on this blog. It’s very simple: my yoga practice is integral to my practice of creative living.
Maybe the word “practice” is confusing here. To me, yoga is about showing up and making an effort; it is NOT about perfection (this isn’t my own idea – it’s what I was taught at my beloved DC yoga studio, Tranquil Space Yoga). People’s bodies are different, first of all, so my Downward Dog may look different than yours, and neither of us is necessarily wrong. But in a grander sense, yoga is about cultivating an equanimity that is at odds with the striving of achieving “perfection.” It is truly about process over product – when you stumble in a balancing pose, do you think, “I’m such a klutz,” and give up? Or do you breathe, and try again? The latter is the yoga way.
You may already see the connections the way I see yoga and the process of creative living. For example, both prize process over product — savoring the process of making a film, instead of obsessing over how the final film will turn out, and believing that it was still “worth it” even if you don’t like the final cut. Both ask that you’re willing to begin things — to try things — even if you can’t predict or control the outcome, and even if you aren’t sure you’ll be the best, most perfect [fill in the blank] ever. Both require a willingness to take chances, and to observe yourself — noticing patterns and tendencies and getting out of your own way when necessary. All of these qualities are imperative to practicing yoga, and they’re imperative to living your life as the truest expression of yourself — aka, creative living.
As one of my teachers at the retreat, Cyndi Lee, puts it – yoga is a template for how we conduct ourselves off the mat.
I came across an article that does a nice, succinct job of articulating the benefits and basic philosophy of yoga — though, that’s actually a loaded statement, since there are as many yoga philosophies, it seems, as action movies in summer; still, I think the article provides a good overview. Here it is: Why Do Yoga? by Garrett Sarley (Dinabandhu), the head of the famous Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
So what do you think? Have I made you interested in giving yoga a shot? Or, if you’re already a yoga devotee — has it helped you live more creatively? Do you see a relationship there?
I’ve starting taking yoga classes again after a hiatus of many years, and your post articulates one of the main reasons I’ve come back. I tend towards perfectionism and Type A behavior, and yoga is a wonderful counterbalance and teacher.
Clara: I was a perfectionist for most of my life…yoga definitely helps me keep those tendencies at bay. And it is DEFINITELY a great teacher – I love observing how my experiences on the mat relate to my life outside the yoga studio. Best of luck & enjoy!
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