Why Faith & Good Hair Have Nothing to Do With It. ~ Peg Mulqueen
My bio states I am the eternal optimist.
But my bio is wrong. And as much as I write about faith, it’s surprising how much I lack.
No place would you see this as clearly as you would in my yoga practice. I’ve met every new bind/lift/landing with the same doubt and disbelief as if I’d never been proven wrong before.
I’m actually really quite dense, when you think about it.
This past summer, I was sent Kino Macgregor’s Third Series DVD to review. (It’s in this month’s Yoga Journal.) I watched her move through the advanced postures with such strength and grace, all the while thinking, only someone like Kino could pull that routine off. (And in bootie shorts, no less.)
Yoga Angels, Courtesy Chris Anderson.
And by “someone like Kino,” what I mean is someone younger, stronger, more flexible and capable, with better hair and no kids. In other words, not your ordinary-everyday-non-yoga-rock-star person like me.
But is that true?
Because if you asked me where I find most of my inspiration, it’s not from rock stars—it’s from real people, maybe exactly like me, (but just a little better.)
Like the mother of two beside me, who gets up at the crack of dawn to practice before a full workday, and yet still manages to feed her family home-cooked meals every evening and get her kids to ballet on time.
Or the young college girl whose yoga space is a bathroom where she practices alone while living with a foreign family, immersed in a culture and language she doesn’t know, far away from anyone, or thing familiar.
Or how about the ex-football player who recently walked into a mysore room for the first time, filled with seeming acrobats-called-yogis, knowing full well he can’t even touch his toes, or lift his arms straight over his head.
This dazzles me as much as watching Kino bust into Koundinyasana A from a headstand. And I think to myself … how? How do they find the strength, courage, and even time?
And they each answer the same—you just do.
Photo: courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
Despite being overwhelmed and tired, with a fair share of doubt, loneliness and fear, the option to “not do” just isn’t there.
I forget just how powerful that “just do” is. And that what I think is possible or impossible is irrelevant because if I just do, I will surely and eventually find out.
You see, optimism is nice and faith certainly makes it easier. But the truth of the matter is, I need neither. All I really need is to just keep going.
And yes, by the way, I do mean off the mat too.
~
Editor: Thaddeus HaasLike elephant ashtanga on Facebook
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Love this! So on point, I needed to read this to start my day today, thanks for sharing. I took two back to back 75 minute vinyasa classes yesterday and they helped my cope with my afternoon. After having a rough time starting my day today – I realize I have to “just do.” Because “not do” is not an option. Thanks so much.
i'm so glad bernie! and keep doing … !
Thanks for the reminder that's its okay to be one of the "real people". I am often struck by the fact that I'm one of the older yogis in the room, and that gets a little intimidating. But, like you say, "the option to 'not do' just isn't there." I have definitely felt what you refer to as "overwhelmed and tired, with a fair share of doubt, loneliness and fear", all of which the practice helps me move through. Thanks for a great post. It was good to read.
it's the "real people" who inspire me because they ARE real. and the really cool thing that you may not realize right now, anne, is that there is another "older yogi" (actually several) who are inspired by your presence. who walk in and see you "just doing" – and they feel less alone, less intimidated, less overwhelmed. thanks for the read and the comment! xo
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I love this so much!!! I fall into the trip of thinking this practice is for everyone…but me! Thanks for the reminder. love all your wite!
Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed." Storm Jameson, writer