The question, What brings you to yoga today? was not unusual — though perhaps phased differently.
While in child’s pose, I considered the question. Today was different. Today, I would work on letting go of the negative thoughts that have been haunting me all month and focus on the positive. At that moment, this was my reason for being there. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Indeed, it has been a long, hard month and, quite frankly, I’m sick of being on edge and overly sensitive. I want to let the negative roll off my back water off a duck’s.
With the temperature rising, it didn’t take long for me to break a sweat. I embraced my power as I worked towards each of the postures and breathing exercises. I’m not sure what point in class it happened. Maybe it was there all along but I noticed that I was laughing at my shortcomings, when I couldn’t quite hold a pose. When I got it right, I didn’t gloat or cheer. I just enjoyed being there.
I left the yoga studio content and full of joy. The sun was shining, the air was clean, and the dull grey clouds were nowhere in sight.
Yes, there is joy in yoga and, now, there is joy elsewhere as well.