By Isha Sharma | Posted: June 05, 2018
My dear yogi-being,
Namaste!
You and I have been close companions on this beautiful journey of yoga. Today, I am going to take this opportunity to tell you what I’ve been wanting to say for a long time :
1. “It’s okay”
It’s ok if you miss your practice. I know that sometimes you miss your yoga practice for other things in life - for the laundry, for a party, for meeting friends or that dinner date.
Sometimes you don’t practice for a few days for one reason or another. But when you come back to your mat, there is no need to be unnecessarily harsh to yourself or blame yourself when it takes longer for you to melt into your forward fold, grip your foot during dancer’s pose, or transition effortlessly into chaturanga.
I’m here to say it’s ok, no matter how long you’ve been on or off the mat. Even if you practice everyday or every other day, or rarely - I am here to invite you as you are. I miss you while you are away, but I know the other things you did nourished and added to your journey in different ways. It’s all about the journey. It’s not about the pose, it’s about how you feel in it.
2. “Make it a play, I’m your magic carpet”
By resting on me - whether it’s through asanas or just by lying down after an overwhelming day - you can transform your mental and physical tiredness into peace and energy. As you press your toes onto me into your warrior II, I love how I can see the transformation in you from feeling ‘bleh’ to being as happy as a child on a sugar rush. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Flow into movements. Listen to your body. Try new poses. I’m your magic carpet, the instrument to take you to your wonderland within.
3. “I’m your blank slate and best friend”
I am here to give you the space to be, to release yourself. Roll me out and practice - flow to your heart’s content.
Feeling too emotional or overwhelmed? As you stretch and move through what’s been going on in your life, it’s okay if you tickle a tear in your child’s pose. You can lie down on me and just let thoughts flow. Laugh with me as you move with zeal and enthusiasm on the good days, and giggle with me when you slap face down as you challenge yourself in a bakasana or eka pada galavasana.
Pour yourself onto me because I’m the space where you can be you - with yourself, by yourself, for yourself. Let's move and be together as we practice compassion, love and awareness through your asanas, your meditation, and your breath.
All I’m here to say is - you can tell me, and release whatever is in you through the practice. Know that you do and are enough. However it is you need your ‘you time’ - in rest or practice - take it and give it.
Love,
Your Yoga Mat
Join me in the #YogaDayEveryDay campaign to celebrate International Day of Yoga
Your practice and your mat - more than anything else - are for YOU. It is for yourself, with yourself, by yourself and to yourself. So this month, leading to the International Day of Yoga on the 21st of June, make a promise to yourself - to take some time every day to uplift, cleanse and re-energize your body, mind, and soul through your practice of yoga.
The #YogaDayEveryDay is an initiative to inspire yogis across the world to give priority for their yoga practice every single day no matter how busy one is. Your practice doesn’t have to be very long. If you don’t have much time, just spend 10 minutes on your mat and practice 5-6 Sun Salutations or some breathing practices or even a guided meditation every day.
New to yoga? No worries. I recommend you to join my favorite Sri Sri Yoga Foundation Program near you and give a start to your yoga journey while the world celebrates the International Day of yoga.
To inspire others in their yoga practice, record a clear quality video and share how your yoga practices are helping you in your daily life. You may want to post the video on your social media - FB, Twitter and Instagram:
As you share your yoga journey on these social media channels, tag us too @thesrisriyoga and @ArtofLivingIDY @TheArtofLivingBlogUSA with the hashtags #YogaDayEveryDay #PromiseToYoga #YogaEveryDay #IDY2019 #InternationalDayofYoga2019.
Have a Happy Yoga Journey!
By Isha Sharma, a global nomad native to the Himalayas and raised across six countries. Youth Ambassador and Instructor at the Art of Living, E-RYT 300 Yoga Teacher, Social Worker, Nutritionist and Mind-Body Wellness Writer.
