expectations

Sometimes you have to learn to let go of how you think it's supposed to look. I, like most people, have placed expectations upon plenty of things. Once you learn that it's okay to have expectations, as long as you aren't attached to them, life will be a lot happier. I had a yoga student this morning, she was brand new to yoga, a bit overweight, and more than a bit nervous. I was lucky enough to overhear her talking with her husband about her apprehensions right before class, so I introduced myself and gave her a few pointers. "Let go", I told her. Let go of what you think you're supposed to look like, let go of what everyone else looks like, just let go. I've been big on this in my classes recently. For many of my students, their yoga practice is the only time where they don't have to be anything but exactly who they are in that very moment. Not "mom", not "dad", not employee of the month, or whatever it may be. Can't touch your toes? It's okay. Can't sit as deep into chair pose as your neighbor? That's just fine. Maybe last week you were flat as a pancake in your seated forward fold, but this week you're struggling to touch your toes with bent knees. I am trying to teach my students that it really is all good. I have been really encouraging them to smile and be okay with whatever comes their way, on the mat and off. The moral of this late-night blog is this: What works for you may not work for me, and vice versa. That's the beauty of this life. And I love it.

xoxo-
T