My current definition of yoga is "Everything changes, get over it." Getting over it and accepting the changes in my body, my mind, my breath, my pain, my bliss, even what I think I know about yoga is my new normal. That is where calming the fluctuations of the mind comes in--Chitta Vritti Narodha--Yoga Sutra 1:2."When are you going to get better?" Someone asked me that. It jolted me and made me question everything I was doing that showed this person I wasn't better. I was completely put on the defensive. I answered that I was improving slower than I liked but I was improving. I then tried to walk away as normally as possible--not my new normal but some approximation of what I thought I used to walk like.
Then I realized I'm asking myself the same question all the time. I've fallen into the trap of using every yoga practice as a reminder that I'm not well yet. I have to walk my talk and learn to practice without frustration and judgment.
My self-judgment keeps me locked in my pain patterns and fighting against them. If I stay with my body, watching and accepting it as the good friend it is, I know I have the chance to influence the direction of change toward healing.
From standing, step back with the right foot and turn it out slightly. Bend the left knee, navel and face forward, raise your arms, palms toward each other and come into Virahabdrasana I, Warrior I. Hold for 3-5 deep breaths.
