l've been having so many aches and pains lately they've become an excuse for not practicing. l can't practice today because my back hurts too much from sleeping in this awful bed. l can't practice because l have menstrual cramps. l have a headache. My neck hurts from the chiropractic adjustment l received a few days ago. Even as a yoga teacher and long-time practitioner/believer, sometimes l manage to forget that it really is the cure-all for everything. Our laziness has a way of telling us lies sometimes and when we're out of practice (perhaps as a result of listening to that lazy voice) we might tend to take the route that seems easier. The whole thing turns into a vicious cycle. Precisely why we need to practice our way out of it. My screaming low back finally spoke louder than the lazy voice and led me grimacing to my mat. Just a gentle practice, is what l told myself, coercing myself into Savasana to begin. The Earth, as always, rose up to catch me as l lay myself down. Then, all those other little voices inside of every ache and pain became audible enough for me to hear. l listened in to every whisper, every twinge and groan, and coaxed openness where things had been shut down for too long, sent kindness where it was needed. l hugged myself over and over again until l felt better all over, outside and in, even way deep down. Then, l spread out and let the Earth hug me too, and remembered that l'm just a speck of substance in a great, swirling universe. l sat up feeling much lighter for all my realization.
Sri Pattabi Jois passed away today. l read the news when l logged onto the internet this morning. l never practiced with him. ln fact, l've never even practiced in an Ashtanga class. But yoga is yoga to me, whether you practice on a mat in your own home or studio, in an ashram in lndia, or on a surfboard out in the ocean, and l gave a moment of pause, gratitude to the spirit of him for guiding so many to their paths. l thought of my own teacher, who'd followed his way and is surely feeling the loss today, and sent love to her. Surely, his light has not gone out, for people far and wide are glowing with the tiny flicker he passed on that has been regularly stoked and passed on in turn. lt's important to remember those who lit your flame with love, honor, reverence. More important still to know it's up to you to keep it burning.
The light within me bows to light within you.
Namaste.
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