A Path to Positivity

What is yoga for?  There is no one answer, of course.  But one that will serve well is that yoga is about getting in touch with our self so that we can transform it.  On the physical level, the transformation comes by getting stronger, more flexible, and better balanced.  The same words can describe its effects on the mind, as well.

When I began yoga, I wanted to be more positive in my approach to life.  I didn't have any idea how yoga would help that, but somehow, at the time I had the positive intention to change, I became interested in yoga.

Now, in my third year of daily practice, I understand the process a little.  How so little of the way we receive life - whether we're happy or unhappy - is due to the things that happen. Rather, it is how we perceive and respond to the events that largely - perhaps entirely - creates our emotional state.

I see how deeply ingrained patterns and habits control and limit me and how hard they are to change.  But they can change, and little by little I'm seeing things change in my life.  I am more positive, more content, but at the same time more able to confront things that need to be changed and to think of different ways to deal with challenges.  I procrastinate less, get more done, am more comfortable calling people up to discuss and resolve problems.  I'm thinking farther into the future, becoming able to plan for more things rather than react to events.

At the same time, I am happier and more content at work while being increasingly attracted to life after this career.  Does that mean I'll work longer, or retire sooner?  I don't know, but it looks more like a choice between two positives than a decision based on dislike of what I'm doing now, or fear of the future.

We started the second phase of yoga teacher training this week, and while participating in the first week of a beginning yoga class, I felt more energy and excitement about it than I have through the first 5 months of the program.  A room full of people, with diverse backgrounds and abilities, all on a journey of transformation.  I hope all can find what they need, as I have found a path to positivity.