During my yoga teacher training certification journey, I was pleasantly surprised when two of my teachers I adore, Brenna Geehan & Jean Mazzei, said yoga is about “energy management”.
Among so many things, yoga is indeed about energy management. I could not agree with more! So many people appear “maxed out” – on the brink of a burn out. If they only found yoga not only as a means to “get in shape” or “workout” – you know, you are already in shape and you are already working out or working enough, right? We have to love our “perfect imperfections” – you are perfectly imperfect and that’s fine. You might start to realize that when you get on the mat and uncover that truth about you. Another awesome local teacher, Wendy used to say, “Just showing up is enough”. Just showing up. When you show up, everything takes care of itself. Now I understand what she meant.
Even if it seems impossible to allocate that time that you don’t have, accept that it’s okay to not do it all; accept that perfection is not an end-all; judgement (esp. targeting “self” version) is harmful; accept help, and take care of yourself. Think of yoga as where you learn the ultimate in energy management through the practice of acceptance and other life lessons often brought up in Buddhist teachings.
There are so many competing desires within each of us – mostly ego driven. We were taught sky’s the limit; you can do it all if you put your mind to it or try harder; that energy is boundless… if you only harness it. Really?
For those feeling inadequate for not having that “boundless” “abundant” energy – Be reassured, there’s nothing inherently wrong with you. This is when Yoga can come to the rescue! Find what’s true for you as you turn your attention inward. Practice of yoga, the kind taught by Gary Kraftsow is in fact a preventative medicine – by keeping your “balance”, you gain stability and from that stability comes real sense of freedom…that ushers in the energy once lost … the vibe of life if again felt.
Leaning in is not enough. We deserve better.
-Katrina Alcorn
Here’s her blog – For moms who can do it all but wonder why they should…
As a student and I am always a student, I tend to gravitate to those beautiful teachers who have their own life story to share – it makes that instructor that much more deeper and wiser with abilities to really connect… so again I come back to this quote:
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Beautiful people do not just happen…