Its the Journey, Not the Destination by Chris Loebsack

When one of our new educators Elise S. Guadalupe posted this the other day. It reminded me of keeping a beginners mind. When we begin we have a natural sense of curiousness and wonderment about each pose. Our internal and external experience begin to merge and we are opened up to the possibilities. It is easy to start to get ahead of ourselves and drop down the misguided rabbit hole of belief that we will be happier when we can touch our toes, or find clam if we can simply power through the class. No, no, no dear friends this is not how yoga works. Yoga- Union or Yoking of opposition is a practice that we come to again and again. It is a journey of the mind and heart that we take on the path of Asana-physical practice and Meditation-Mental Concentration and Ananda-Finding our Bliss. It requires that we lean into the tools of patience and self acceptance at each step. We find the edge where we know just how far we can encourage ourselves to break new boundaries and expand to our fullest potential while remaining mindful and cultivating the appropriate boundaries for physical, emotional and mental well being.
When I began yoga in 1995, I suffered from juvenile fibromyalsia. I was in chronic pain. I was in a space of life where I had not yet developed the courage to create clear and safe boundaries for myself. I was stressed at work & stressed in relationship. I was smart and talented, but did not yet know my worth. I would second guess myself; OFTEN. I am grateful for the power of this practice and for what it has shown me.
Top 10 things I have learned:
I am physically more capable than I ever imagined
I have the power to help others
I never have to be ashamed of my body
I can be vulnerable and in that beautiful place I am stronger
I can allow myself to openly show love to all people
I can work to support my life instead of living just to work
I don't have to dim my light to make others feel better
I can use my light to ignite the light in someone else
We are more alive and powerful when we build community
Love is everything
I thank each and everyone of you for joining us each day in practice. I am grateful for our community. Thank you for sharing your light.

What have you learned about yourself?

In Love and Light
Chris Loebsack