“The world does not need another yoga teacher.”
Ouch.
This statement was the beginning of an Instagram post by one of my favorite teachers, Yogarupa Rod Stryker. I thought, wait a second! But … but … but …
The post goes on. Here’s a snippet:
However, the world desperately needs, true, authentic yoga practitioners — whether you teach or note, the right kind of practice will bring more patience, insight, kindness and wisdom into this world.
And so it is.
I have the privilege of sharing yoga with a group of amazing, unique, strong, dedicated women in a beginner’s series at The Yoga Garden. We’re into week 2 of a 6-week series, and Yogarupa’s words come at the perfect time — for me, for our group and in our world today.
I believe the more people who are on their mats, their meditation cushions, or simply being present with their BREATH (life force) … the better our world becomes. Who doesn’t want to be part of THAT?!
So my goal is to encourage more people to START … or keep up with … or even DEEPEN their yoga practice. Do I need to be a yoga teacher? No. But I need to practice my yoga in daily life with authenticity, with the knowledge that I will bumble through it most days, and knowing that MY practice brings more patience, insight, kindness and wisdom in the world.
Anyone can practice Yoga — there are eight aspects of Yoga outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, only ONE of which is the physical poses. The other just-as-important aspects of yoga include: daily living principles (restraints & observances), breathwork, drawing the senses inward, meditation, concentration, and higher consciousness. (Any Sanskrit scholars & senior teachers out there, forgive my roughness in translations!)
I encourage those of you just beginning a yoga practice to choose just ONE place to start, and go for it. If you have a yoga practice in one area of the eight aspects … maybe consider branching out in 2019. Deepen your practice.
Wherever you are on your yoga path, remember Yogarupa’s closing words from his Instagram post:
If Yoga is going to lift this world, it’s going to need real practitioners to keep the torch of Yoga lit for the generations to come.
YOUR PRACTICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Thank you for making the world a better place, and let us continue to widen the circle of compassion, kindness, insight and wisdom.
Erica Engel 