The downward dog is my nemesis. That might be what’s kept me coming back to yoga. I never considered myself a yogi – far from it. Still, once I started, I felt like I just had to get better at it. I always avoided it because I didn’t see myself as flexible. I always drifted more in the direction of Pilates over yoga. It’s odd because some of the movements are so similar. Still, I avoided yoga like a plague. I had friends who taught it and would invite me to class and I’d pass. No one needs to see me make a fool of myself, I thought. Better to stick with what I know. I had no idea all the lessons to be learned from yoga.
Well, in time, my mindset changed completely. Over the last few years, I have been seeking out things that challenged me more physically. It started with me getting a spin bike even though I’d never taken a spin class. Then it led to me lifting weights on a regular basis. The only thing I needed to check off my list of physical challenges was yoga. So I made a commitment to try a class every week.
I have to admit, in the beginning, I was STRUGGLING. I had to learn the poses and allow my body to do what it could, not what I wanted it to do. There were so many things I had to work up to. Now, I easily do the things I didn’t even want to try. That’s growth that I’m proud of.
Lessons Learned from Yoga
In yoga, there are props. Whether it’s the blanket, yoga blocks, or straps – there are props. The props are there to offer you support during certain points of the class. You’re encouraged to take the support when you need it. You’re reminded that getting support when you need it is OK. That it doesn’t make you weak. Of course, those kinds of lessons carry over into everyday life.
Knowing I needed the support of the blocks for certain poses because I wasn’t able to bend as far as I would have liked, made a difference. I had no problem pulling up what I needed to prop me up when necessary. On the other side of that, I began to need the props less. Tell me when you see how that relates to life.
There’s so much I’ve learned from yoga. It has reminded me of the strength in my vulnerabilities. I’m reminded of the importance of support and how we all need it at one point or another. It’s taught me how to push and challenge myself – gently. It’s also shown me that I’m capable of more than I knew was possible for me. That also translates to me seeing how else I can challenge myself in life overall. Being able to stretch myself in yoga has definitely led to me stretching myself in all areas. I’m thankful for my practice. Even though it took me so long to get here.
