Prioritize Presence over Performance

Please hear me, Dear Student of Yoga (& we are ALL students) --

Yoga teachers DO NOT CARE whether you can touch your toes, whether you can pump out 108 Sun Salutations, whether you can wrap yourself up like a pretzel.

We. Do. Not. Care.

(& if you enter a yoga community or encounter a yoga teacher who DOES prioritize these things -- walk away. Seriously. That's not yoga. Protect your peace.)

What Yoga Teachers DO care about is YOU -- YOU showing up for YOU on your mat / meditation cushion. We care about YOU prioritizing being present to yourself & for yourself TODAY, at this time, in all your beautifulness & messiness.

We care about YOU showing up for your practice, whatever it entails that day -- a 60-minute all-out flow, a 15-minute relaxation practice, a 5-minute meditation ... or a 30-second break to notice that you. are. breathing.

So, Dear Student (& Teachers, we can benefit from this reminder as well) -- let go of performance, "ideal postures" (wtf?), competition with the yogi on the next mat over, and/or seeking to please your teacher/guide.

Your practice is for you. Your presence & your practice are for you to remember -- to re-member -- to literally remind your body, mind & spirit that you are whole, you have a good purpose to fulfill in this world, & that your practice can strengthen & stabilize you to fulfill that good purpose.

Whether you have a regular yoga / meditation practice or you're just beginning, whether you've been practicing weekly or have taken a hiatus from your practice -- I hope you will be encouraged to get back on your mat / meditation cushion.

Prioritize your practice ... be present for whatever happens ... knowing you'll walk back into your world with more purpose, steadiness, & ease. We need your light!

See you at OmBody or online, Erica