Notice vs Judgement

Saturday yoga is always a comfort to me. It's the end of my week and I love to close the week off with quality time in the studio. Waking up and yogaing sets such a different tone to the day where everything that follows is an extension of your established foundation that you have built on your mat. 

I was greeted by another new yoga instructor who was subbing for class today. She led us through a very spiritual class speaking fluently dancing between instruction and internal understanding of the movements. 

Toward the end of class, we shifted into bridge pose before she gave us the option to go into wheel. As I placed my hands firmly behind my head and pushed my feet deeply into the mat, I hesitated. I hadn't ever tried wheel and my body was not in the state for the pose. The support of instructors and the journey in your yoga practice centers around what is best for you that day. It isn't about having the ability to do every pose every time it is asked of you, and it's a lot like that in life. You aren't required to do what people ask of you every time. You are able to make the choice for what is best for you, and that is more than okay. Some days it may be different than others. Some years may cause the need to change, to grow, to shift or to extend itself. No matter what occurs, you are not obligated to explain it to anyone. Your communication should be between you and what you feel is the best decision. 

A friend tells me that her favorite quality about me is my ability to commit to a choice. Once it is made, I am not one to look back. In all honesty, I don't know when this characteristic of myself was formed or if it is something that is innately inside a person. When you start to wonder why you approach such a constant obstacle in life unlike the majority, it becomes somewhat confusing as you look in the mirror and see the differences that others always see when they look at you. 

With yoga, my differences don't matter. No ones do. In fact, you are encouraged in your differences with a wide variety of postures within poses, tools to assist, and never pressure to follow in the exact format as the design of the class. 

Intention in your mind. Intention in your speech. Intention in your heart. Intentionality is often overlooked in the fast paced environment we exist. However, if you set your intention for each day you will gain insight into the things that truly matter to your heart allowing you to lead a life with purpose.