The Yoga of Competition - August 9, 2010

I wanted to check in after our move. For 6 months we were basically homeless, living in temporary space after 12 years at Piccadilly Square. We moved out of there when it was 9 degrees after only 2 months of trying to locate new space. It's been challenging to say the least. What I have heard from students and teachers, and members of our sangha is how well we have made the transition. Therea re many reasons for that. One is, not all of you have seen what's happened behind the scenes! Also, we do have a sangha, a community of like-minded people. That means we are a community of people who have similar goals, one of which was to have space that wasn't temporary, to land in a home again, where we could breathe and relax.

To use a phrase from my friend/author Linda Ferguson, what has kept us grounded while standing in shifting sand is the support of others, even other yoga teachers and other studios. All shared in wishing us well. That kept us going. Sometimes I say us, sometimes I need to speak only for myself. I have had many advisors and I have had to learn to rely on my own inner strength while feeling the support of others. That has enabled me to stay on the path of teaching yoga and finding new space.

Last week we had a yoga class where we talked about competition. You know, coming to the mat and getting all riled up about what someone else is doing, or even mat envy or yoga attire envy. We all have these wants and desires, one is to be like others. Certainly in a yoga class, we want to be able to achieve a certain pose in a certain way. So in this class, a student said she didn't see yoga class as a competition. She saw it as a support. Whatever we do, instead of getting caught up in our wants and desires, to view what others do as an example of where we might grow in our own practice is a wonderful gift.

since that day, I have seen my classes as a group of supporters. In one class, there is a student who is a bit challenged hearing instruction as well as a bit slow getting props or getting set up. Another student jumped in and got the props for her. This is support. This is support of our practice. This is what it means to be together and share space and energy and breathe and all grow because of our own presence as well as the support of others being present.

How wonderful to be in a yoga class where others students are there to support you, to help ensure you too can grow! May we all support one another in our yoga practice, even to the point of encouraging someone to attend a class, and cheering them on while in the practice.

Teach me what I cannot learn alone.
Let us share what we know, and what we cannot fathom.
Speak to me of mysteries, and let us never lie to one another.

May our fierce and tender longing fuel the fire in our souls.
When we stand side by aide, let us dare to focus our desire on the truth.
May we be reminders, each for other,
that the path of transformation passes through the flames.

To take one step is courageous;
to stay on the path day after day, choosing the unknown,
and facing yet another fear,
that is nothings short of grace.

--Danna Faulds, poem "Sangha", found in her book, "Go In and In"