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“There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.” – Chinese Proverb
I teach many types of people who come to Yoga and Pilates for many different reasons. Some tell me they are there to become more flexible, some want more strength. Some are recovering from something and some have just been pretty sedentary. Some need some stress relief and some have been told by their doctor that they need to be there. Some want a kick ass workout and some want gentle stretching. And some just want a body like Jennifer Aniston.
I’m just glad they got there.
I came to yoga because I was trying to be nice to my body for a change. For most of my life, I wasn’t concerned with whether or not something was good for me. If it gave me the outcome I was looking for, it didn’t matter. Then one day I started to feel pretty badly, in my body and in my soul. I started getting sick and hurt every time I turned around. It took some time, but I came realize that there was a good chance I was making myself sick and hurt.
So yoga became my magic pill. For a time. Then life caught up with me and I had to take responsibility for myself. That’s when yoga and meditation became my toolbox instead of my meds.
I’m just glad I got there.
Yoga has become the place where I see a common thread between me and every other person I meet. It has helped me see that we all feel the same things and we all put up the same defenses. We all love the same way and our hearts all break the same way. We’re all right sometimes and we’re all wrong sometimes. We all say and do things that hurt others and we all get hurt. We’re all looking for the same things down many different paths.
Most of us take a look around and wonder how we ended up on the path we are on. I know I do. But I wouldn’t want to hike up any other trail. I like taking chances and throwing my heart out there, even if someone stomps across it while strolling down their path. I’m finding more peace and contentment with every step and every day spent on my mat.
