Don't Do Yoga

Don't do Yoga.

Don't put on tight pants. Don't roll out your mat. Don't meditate. Don't fold your hands in front of your heart. And definitely don't say Namaste.

Don't try to let go.
Don't try to open up.
Don't try to do what the teacher is doing...
What I am doing....
Don't try to do what I am doing.

Don't do Yoga.

Also, don't call it Yoga.

Don't attach any connotations to it either.
Don't form an image in your mind
Of what Yoga looks like
Or what you are supposed to look like while you are doing it

Don't think you "need to be flexible"
Or zen
Or strong
Or centered.

Don't think about it.

Don't let it cross your mind. Don't breathe deep and say, "I am now letting go of stress."
Don't convince yourself that you are more grounded.
Don't look at the lady
In the front of the room in awe and admiration.

Don't say to yourself, "One day I will do Yoga like her."

Don't even do Yoga.

Don't search for it. The flexibility. The strength. The head stand. The perfect alignment. The firm abs. The deep back bend. The emotional intelligence.
Don't long for it. The long legs. The peace of mind. The stress-free-living. The acceptance. The non-judgement.
Don't expect it. Any of it.

Most importantly. Don't listen to me.

Not a thing that I say. Don't listen to me.
Don't do any of what I am saying right now.

Don't not do Yoga because I said don't do Yoga.

Don't not do Yoga.

-----------------------------

My story is that Yoga came to me. At a time that I needed it. I listened to myself. To that little voice that comes from a place somewhere in between my gut and my heart and it gets communicated in some language that I can't explain after some exchange between the two. And it helped me. This thing that moved my body and opened up my mind. This thing that many call Yoga (but that others call something else). And I'm not afraid to say it or talk about it (but only if you ask). And it gave me something that I needed, that I didn't know that I needed at the time. And I am so very grateful for it.

It helped me learn about myself. That thing that some call Yoga (but that others call something else). It helped me. To just be me. This sensation of my cells becoming light and fluid inside my body. It helped me learn. About the way my internal organs work. It made me love my body. In a way I didn't love before. It made me ask questions. And let go of some fears. It helped me soothe shoulder pain. And stomach rumblings. It also made me sad. And confused. And sometimes cry. And then it made me strong. And aware. And then humble. And then it fed my ego. And then it caused me separation. And then it changed. And then I changed. And then it made me patient and calm and forgiving and understanding again.

And it made me realize that my learning never ends.
That everyday I am something new.
Never perfect.

But always me.
And that's enough.

It made me flow.

And everyday I am still learning.
I am definitely not a Yogi.
Or a Yogini.
Or even a Yoga teacher.

I am just someone who practices.

And I am happy to share my story.
And even my practice.

Very happy to share.

I just want to make sure that we both know that this is my story.

And yours is different.

And I love that.

So please listen to you.
That space inside you that tells you what you need.

Get in touch with it.
First.

Because it was never my intention to make my story yours.
So don't do Yoga.

Or, do it.

Just don't listen to me.
Listen to you.

And if you'd like to share stories
Your story
And mine
And practices
And Yoga
Or not Yoga
That's okay with me, too

...I'd like that. A lot actually.