baby steps - we're all beginners of something
if someone told you that tomorrow you would compete in a triathlon - you'd tell them they were crazy. because everyone knows - you need to train for that. work your way there - i.e. baby steps. (maybe a few 'big girl' steps as well)
but for some reason, we yogis see triathlon-like asana - and instead of remembering the *baby steps* rule - we hang our head in shame when we simply can't perform.
call it practice. training. preparation. or study. call it whatever you want.
but no one competes in a triathlon, a marathon, a half marathon or performs padma adho mukhavrksasana - lotus downward facing tree pose - without it.
and all is coming.
~ k. pattabhi jois
check out one of my inspirations, ricky tran. i bet if i asked him about that impressive pose he's pictured in, he would admit he's worked his way up to that impressive feat. (dude, if you're reading - feel free to chime in!)
in fact, i bet he spends time every day, on his mat - preparing and practicing.
just a hunch. 
remember the first times you came to YOUR mat? remember those endless chaturangas? downward dogs that seemed to last an eternity? shaky legs in warrior? could you even touch your toes?
but you came back. again and again. and now, that all ain't SO bad. and good thing, because all those chaturangas taught your arms to hold your body . . . in downward dog, you learned to balance your weight between hands and feet . . . and your legs are stronger and more flexible, therefore able to do more than take - well . . . baby steps!
so wherever you are - keep going. stop thinking of amazing yoga acrobatics as mere *talent* or a race that you must win.
anyone i've ever known who has run a full or half marathon or participated in a triathlon has trained for long periods of time with their only goal in the end, to complete. (not win, just finish)
i have no intention of taking up running - - - i've tried, but my running shoes are just not that into me.
but that lotus-downward-facing-tree-pose . . .now, THAT looks kinda fun. and something worth training for!
p.s. this friday, join me and special guest - master teacher, elizabeth huntsman - at down dog yoga in georgetown. talk about FUN!
check out the video below, of acro-yoga founders, jenny and jason - doing their own rigorous training. oy!
Posted by peg mulqueen at 9/23/2009 6:29 AM 
Categories: sri k. patthabhi jois, life lessons, discovery, acro yoga
Tags: triathlon practice and all is coming padma adho mukhavrkasana ricky tran
Categories: sri k. patthabhi jois, life lessons, discovery, acro yoga
Tags: triathlon practice and all is coming padma adho mukhavrkasana ricky tran
i remember when i discovered yoga, i could not touch my toes with straight legs. none of my poses were steady, including savasana/corpse. by breathing was sucky and i couldn't stand on one foot without wobbling. i kept coming back to the mat because i saw micro-improvements along the way. at first it was about the destination or the achievement (and although it still is fun to learn something new in practice), it's really more about the journey for me. yoga has taught me to be present without judgment or expectations.. it's taught me that if i keep practicing my yoga on and off the mat, if i can surrender to the moment and breathe, then everything that was once ordinary can somehow be extraordinary. practice and all is coming, indeed. stop thinking so much and experience the moment... the pose... the breath. that's the practice. all is coming. namaste
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could not have said it better! thank you ricky!
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I now need to remove 'can't' and 'impossible' from my vocabulary! Gives some perspective to anyone taking a simple step to start anything, including a garden: http://www.rebeccaplants.com/wordpress
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oh rebecca - i remember how overwhelmed i was with my ivy entangled, clay-and-root-ridden, sunless back yard. never would i have imagined its (slow) transformation into the colorful, garden/haven it has now become. you taught me that - baby steps. and i'm still taking them. raised garden bed coming soon!!
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