Being of Integrity

New York Yoga - Vinyasa Basics (Thursday, July 15, 2010)

This class was so eye opening on so many levels. 

Using one of my many yoga certificates, this was my first time at this studio. Liked the instructor right away, sweet, soft spoken (like me), but you could feel her strength and passion for teaching. The first thing she asked was “What do you want from your practice today?”

Hmmm, had to ponder that.

If you have followed this blog from the beginning, you know that much has happened since the beginning of my yoga journey and I am not the same woman that stepped on to the mat ten years ago and my body is definitely not the same. What I wanted was acceptance, acceptance of myself, to know I am exactly where I should be.

This class was interesting, because although it is titled as a basics class, it a mix of students at all levels. So you were able to see the different variations of the poses depending on where each student was in their practice. It gave me a sense of respect for each person’s journey and my own.

During sun salutations she poses a challenge to the class that must be directed only to me "keep the same integrity that you had at the beginning through out." Wow. I heard this so deeply, because not only did I know that by the third sequence I was tired and frankly cheating just to get through it. But I had to ask myself, where else am I cheating myself in my life, when else do I start something with passion and excitement and when the going getting tough, just do enough to get by? The instructor walked around the class offering adjustments and realignments, finally she gets to me. Suddenly my instructor, my dear sweet faced, soft spoken instructor does not seem so sweet. Her realignment of my downward dog makes my arms work more and therefore hurt more, but I appreciated it, because I did not want to cheat anymore, I wanted and did from that point forward give my best.

Today's Yoga Reflection: My desire is to be a being of integrity.