April 19th, 2008

Over a wonderful South Indian dinner last night at Tamil Nadu Bhavan (27th & Lexington), my beautiful friend Catherine suggested I write a little about my personal relationship with yoga.

When I began attending yoga classes as a teenager, I was immediately drawn to the practice’s powerful ability to calm and strengthen the body and mind. I was unaware, however, of this ancient science’s complex and vast history. It wasn’t until 2004, when I began developing a fascination with India and its culture, that I started learning more about the history and various sects of yoga. The more I discover about yoga, the more I realize how little I know. This feeling is beautifully inspiring in that I have centuries of learning to look forward to. I am also coming to realize that yoga, if practiced with honest dedication on any level, will tremendously benefit one’s state of wellbeing.

My yoga practice, which began with infrequent asana classes, has evolved into an indispensable grounding force in my life. It reminds me to be more patient, self-confident, loving, and rationally discipline. This new calm has rolled into so many aspects of my life; such as the way I approach photography and my overall direction as an artist. Yoga helps me control my energy and emotions in order to live and be flexible in the current moment as much as possible. Whenever tension creeps into my life, I know that reining my focus back to the breath will stabilize and strengthen me.

My practice has also led me to realize that many of my greatest yoga teachers have never attempted a yoga posture at all. Instead, their great actions and words, which have been (are) so full of love, honesty, selflessness, and positive intent, exemplify Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana yoga. (Or, respectively, the yoga of Love/Devotion, Selfless Service, and Knowledge). These teachers include family members, friends, and others I have never met in person.
There is so much more I would like to write about yoga and how it assists me in conquering fear, being more forgiving of myself and others, and finding happiness in this life. But, I will save that for another day! I hope to use this forum as a space to share some of my limited knowledge of yoga and my explorations in it.

More importantly, have a beautiful weekend! Enjoy the day, wherever in the world you may be.

Also, as today is my 24th birthday, I would like to express my gratitude to all the wonderful and inspirational life teachers I have had in my life. Thank you for your lessons that resonate within me every day.

Gurudath, from Deenabandhu Trust – Chamrajanagar, Karnataka, India
My second home in India. Many of the children and staff members at this institution have been incredible teachers to me.
Please visit their website: www.Deenabandhutrust.org