Yoga Wasn’t The Problem, I Was.
{Photo via Pinterest}
By Becca Pati
My 10-year Yoga journey has been a colorful blur.
From using the movements strictly as a New Age workout to eventually feeling my spirit blossom like the inspirational story of the lotus flower… it has been a wild ride.
But developing a regular practice was neither romantic nor glorious. When I first stepped on my mat, I wasn’t totally convinced that I was going to enjoy this foreign discipline of weird breathing, poses and meditation.
I definitely had preconceived ideas of how a Yoga person was supposed to eat, drink, think and act. So without much thought, I mentally clumped them into three categories: 1) tree hugging, 2) chai drinking, and/or 3) stupidly flexible.
But wait… maybe there was hope. I have always really liked chai. Maybe, just maybe, I was one spicy tea sip away from being a real yogi.
Tentatively curious, I tried a few classes and was put to shame. I loved it.
The sequencing, stringed together with breath and flowing movements, seemed to be made for me. My long, gangly body felt at home; stretching, strengthening and using my own weight to glide along the mat, bringing a gentle soreness into the depth of my bones.
After the awkwardness of not knowing anything about Yoga started to alleviate, my breath work and postures deepened. To my surprise, I even discovered that I really liked chanting.
I would get excited at the end of class to say Om as loudly as possible, even though now I understand the concept of blending voices. It just felt so good to roar.
Once I had been practicing for a while, it began to feel like this Yoga stuff had been swimming inside my veins since I was born or possibly in a previous life. As I dove into the modern philosophy surrounding Yoga, it seemed that many of my previous concepts were inaccurate.
Okay, so I didn’t need to wear hemp undies or drink Kombucha till I threw up. Cool. I can dig that.
Recently, I have uncovered my true voice as a teacher, student and human navigating my path. I realize that I may enjoy certain aspects of the lifestyle, but I have no desire to be a recluse, live in an ashram and eat a raw diet (ironically enough, I’m in Bali writing this and very content to never return home… because now they have imported wine. I am complete).
Through all the ceremony and traditions of Yoga, I have chosen a road which is modern and applicable. I choose to use common language in my teaching and make connections with the most extraordinary people.
As I swallow my pride and ego, I am aware, with deep sadness, that I was the one who was judging other students, teachers and Yoga styles for fear of them not accepting me. And holy fuck — what a revelation! What a mind-blowing, veil-dropping, break-myself-wide-open, vulnerable realization.
Heads up — it’s not you, it’s me.
I was the one who needed to relax and get comfortable with other yogis whether they were similar or magnificently different. I had to learn to let go of my own insecurities and the desire to be liked.
So I stopped judging and started loving.
Looking around now, all I see are yogis and yoginis perfectly flawed. It’s so refreshing to finally allow myself to be part of something where everyone fits in.
Yoga is not an exclusive club, but for everyone who wants to gain from any aspect of this mystical discipline.
Being part of this universal community, in my humble opinion, does not mean eating, acting or looking a certain way.
It’s about finding your own rhythm and keeping true to who you are, while maintaining a love for others. We need to find a way to be in Yoga (union) and release our pre-programmed bullshit.
Perhaps you haven’t tried Yoga or have been practicing for a while and are feeling judged; maybe you feel you don’t fit in. So what if you aren’t ready to Om, wear see-through leggings, or sit cross legged? Do me a favor and try one more time with a different mindset — one that says:
“I am here. You are here. I do this and you do that. I don’t like this and you don’t like that (big breath in and out) and who the fuck cares?”
Just walk into a class, step on your mat, and be receptive and open. All that other stuff will come in time if that’s what you want. Try not to judge others and that energy will circle right back and smack you directly in your third eye.
And that, my friend, is Yoga.
*****
Over the past 13 years, Becca Pati has had a mission — to encourage people to become organically in tune with their minds and bodies. She is passionate about living life to the fullest. No regrets. In 2006, she established Divine Health Studio, a Wellness Center, in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. Since then, she has taught motivating and dynamic Yoga workshops and classes, trickled in with humor and fun at her Studio, YouTube and internationally. Each class is creative, authentic and intertwines mental and physical Yoga. Becca has taught workshops in Canada, USA, Mexico, Belize and Indonesia. Traveling is in her blood, so it only seemed natural to start offering yoga retreats in exotic places — check out her website and come play Yoga somewhere fabulous.
#DiscoverYoga
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