"Yoga doesn't take time, it gives time." ~Ganga White

Humility is an intention that we often practice on our yoga mats, but, humility is also something you experience when you realize it's been so long since you last blogged you actually forgot your blog address...that's real life folks, that just happened.

But it's fine----because even though "someone" may have had to actually go to their Facebook info page and look up my their own web addresses, part of humility is being able to laugh at one's self, yes?? Well, let's certainly hope so.

First I have to just express my gratitude for my classes. I love my students. My husband came to the studio recently at the start of class to exchange keys and told me later that he liked that everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. (I may have made a snarky comment asking if he had been under the impression that I would have rounded up my students at gunpoint or something, I mean, why wouldn't they be happy to be there?! Right?? but I kid....) I have been blessed with individuals who show up to do the work. Who have families, and jobs and places to be, but who carve out consistent time on their mats. It is an honor and a privilege that they continually allow me to be apart of their yoga. Because it truly is theirs.
Teaching is a powerful occupation. One that feels very connective because of the amount of trust involved. It's a connection that I am grateful and humbled to have not only with those who come to my classes, but with the teachers and trainers I have had and do have, in my life.

I think a resounding theme for me lately that I have been trying to thread and hit home in my classes is patience. There is such an addiction to rush, and noise, and being the best at everything. While one could definitely make the arugement that there is a confidence that flows into the postures as strength and flexibility develop, the most skilled athlete is not devoid of demons. The most buffed out yogi still stores emotional stress in their hips. The strongest among us will not be able to do the real work, if the main goal is do all the poses "perfectly." We come to our mats to breathe, we breath to stay present, we stay present to learn, we learn so that we can grow, and we grow so hopefully we start to lay aside our daily masks and recognize our authentic selves.
If we consistently practice doing this, we will start to not only see, but really believe that we are children of God, with a purpose and a strength beyond measure. We just have to "get out of our head" and into a place where we can actually connect with that more quiet and feeling side of ourselves.

We have all heard in one form or another that life is a journey, not a destination; A journey of self discovery that ultimately determines what we choose to accomplish while we are here on this Earth. I am thankful for a set of tools that is yoga, to help me practice how to mediate and tap into that. How to love myself completely as I am, how to forgive, how to be more grateful, hopeful and, yes, humble.

This commitment to the process takes patience. We are a generation that is not used to having to wait any longer than it takes a cell phone to ding off a tower or for a Hot Pocket to cook in the microwave. We are so antsy for what we want when we want it, the majority of us will burn the roof of our mouth with that very same Hot Pocket that we didn't wait the required 2 minutes to cool.....Every. Time.

Yoga requires consistency, commitment, forgiveness of ones shortcomings, an acceptance of ones self, and a setting aside of one's ego. All these things take patience and do not happen over night. But like another well used phrase: Good things do come to those who wait.

Peace and Namaste,

Melanie