Yoga Is Connection
New beginnings are not always easy. Our new beginnings start from a spark, an inspiration, or even the ending of something else, but there is always something that takes us to a place where we have the courage and the dedication to make a conscientious decision to find unchartered territory. Sometimes that is a choice, sometimes it’s more of a next step on our path. I look back and remember those days when I felt like my life was linear, it followed a path that was simply set out in front of me, that I traveled like everyone else traveled. I looked to others and society around me to figure out what to do next. And I smile knowing that was the past, and today is different.
There is no freedom like the feeling that you are creating your own path, but it’s natural to struggle to find ways to feel like the journey you take truly belongs to you. Then you walk into a yoga class thinking you are going to lose a few pounds or gain some muscle or become more flexible, and if you have the courage to stay for that class and come back for some others, you start to realize that those small physical goals were nothing compared to the world that a yoga practice can encompass.
And there you stand, right in front of that bridge. You know it will take you to new and wonderful places, but you also know there is work, a lot of work, a never-ending amount of work. In this place you are standing in the middle of a choice to make a connection, a transformation, a change, a new beginning.
Yoga is not an easy path. You will become aware of parts of yourself that you have no idea what to do with, you will see the world through a different lens and then have to readjust your reactions, and you will start to question so many personal and social structures along the way. Not to mention, you will probably be sore from new movement classes and baffled by how the person next to you can balance on their hands or put their leg behind their head.
But this is a journey that leads to connection. Connection with you, connection with values, connection with others, connection with nature, connection with our universal patterns and connection with your heart. If you have the courage to take that step and start your walk over that bridge you will find beauty and work along the way, but both will teach you how to more gracefully approach the next beautiful moment or difficult situation. It’s a path to finding you in a world that tries to make you believe you are created by all the external around you. It’s a path to your center, and it’s never-ending. But I promise that it is transformative like no other, its benefits are unmatched and you will gain tools through the process to help you calmly and confidently approach what you encounter along the way.
Think of that bridge as your yoga warrior bridge. That first step is not easy. You are uncertain and unsure, but with each step you grow more confident, gain more strength, your vision becomes focused and your understanding more precise, you have more tools with you as you take each step and as you cross that never-ending bridge you no longer worry about being suspended in the air or what is on the other side. You know the bridge is your path to walk and you’ve learned how to stabilize yourself when it shakes, how to be aware of the space around you so you can understand before reacting, and how to embrace all the uncertainty of what comes next with the knowledge that you are ready. And at some point you realize that the bridge is where you were meant to be - a place where you can grow, experience, and navigate. The other side is overrated, because eventually there will just be another bridge to cross. No hurry, no rush, just be on your path along the way.
Every day I am inspired by those around me who have used yoga to change their lives for the better. I’ve seen addictions controlled, I’ve seen anxiety and depression reduced, I’ve seen underlying health issues disappear, I’ve seen mobility found that was thought completely lost. Basically, I’ve seen hearts found, freedom gained, stability maintained, and connection discovered. That doesn’t mean yoga fixes everything - not at all. We all still have bad days, react quickly or feel negative emotions - that’s part of life and all completely normal. But yoga gives you the tools to help work through them, to realize they are temporary, to forgive yourself and others and to learn from your experiences.
These are the reasons Yoga Life Center exists. It is our passion to support you along your journey with valuable, in-depth, helpful information and interaction. Our classes are designed to be more than physical fitness, though don’t think you’re not going to get fit, because anyone knows that ashtanga or a strong peak class can kick your (well, everything). We are here to support your entire journey, with well-designed classes, nourishing events and workshops, and an online platform to support you away from the studio.
If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter please join our mailing list - our September theme is CONNECTION. We have a special running now for any new subscribers to get a class pass for your first class (in-studio or zoom) to start your journey with us. Our blog will also be published weekly on Mondays so look for new information each week, and you can always find us on Facebook and Instagram too.
We would love to hear about your beginning yoga journey or what your practice has taught you - share with us below in the comments.
Written by Trisha Rachoy
Trisha is a co-owner and founder of Yoga Life Center, LLC. She is an ashtanga yoga practitioner, a mom of 4 kids and 2 dogs, and an attorney. She focuses on teaching both ashtanga classes and peak classes at Yoga Life Center. You can also find her leading arm balance and inversion workshops often, and hosting yoga challenges on social media. She is on Facebook as Trisha Rachoy and on Instagram as @trachoy_yoga.
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