I had a real gem in my inbox this morning, and it wasn't a dithery one from the Kabbalah Center, either. A really kind classmate had written to share that she broke a metatarsal in her right foot(while descending stairs, not practicing yoga). I felt that immediate knee-jerk sinking mama response. I would excerpt, but I didn't ask her first! She noted that she was sobbing in her car, feeling utter frustration at her predicament.
I can't help but identify completely with feelings of helplessness and emotionality. The "Why me?" response to every pitfall, initially. Who hasn't felt life dictated by emotion? Reading her note, and the wisdom contained within it, I got around to thinking about how physical practice isn't the goal of yoga. Even though we are the vehicle that takes us to higher levels of consciousness, that doesn't mean the vehicle always works. Nor is it really the part of our "bodies" we cultivate as yogis.
Ultimately, of course, she snapped back and knew her injury wouldn't compromise her opportunity to finish the course. All this in the course of probably only a few hours!? I certainly haven't cultivated my inner yogi as much as this fellow student. I can't wait to see how the faculties of the body, and the lack of being able to count on the physical, helps me be a better student.
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