Written Tuesday, February 2, 2010
And so it begins. Tonight I embarked on a journey that will hopefully over the next 30 days bring to light some things for which I’ve been searching. I’m not even exactly sure what those ‘things’ are but I do know that an exercise such as this can only help to bring feelings, frustrations, weaknesses and even strengths to the surface. What am I doing, you ask? The answer is simple: 30 consecutive days of vinyasa yoga, 60 minutes a day.
My cousin Lauren inspired me to set this goal for myself, and I did so hastily today as I sat at my 9 to 6 desk feeling like all of the energy was being sucked out of me and put to waste. Again. Every day is the same. Lauren just finished her own 30-day bikram yoga challenge, and it’s inspired her in so many ways that I felt compelled to follow in her footsteps. Although I’m not doing 90 minutes daily of yoga in a 100 degree room, I am convinced this will be quite a challenge for me and I’m excited to set such a lofty goal for myself. Starting today.
As a quick overview, I’m not entirely new to yoga. I’ve practiced in the past, and in fact just a few months ago I was in the regular habit of attending once or twice every week. But for the past 3 months I’ve been at a loss and have had little motivation to really get moving.
Tonight was day one, much more difficult than I anticipated. Yoga is not easy by any means, and anybody who has tried knows that, but it’s funny how quickly your muscles forget. It’s as if I’ve never done yoga in my life. My muscles are tight and my limbs inflexible, my core weak and my neck and back full of stress. Ah, it’s no wonder I am doing this! The instructor ended class by reading the following passage from one of my all-time favorite books, Kahlil Gibran’s 'The Prophet':
"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
