It seems that the focus for this month is the center, and therefore I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be “centered.” I believe it means to know who you are. To speak your truth, satya. To not waiver or let outside forces influence your decisions. Does that mean not to become informed or educate yourself? Of course not. In fact, it is the opposite. I believe that knowledge is power. The more you understand a subject, the more you can make a well-thought-out decision. That said, I think that taking too much time to study can be paralyzing.
Learning happens along the way. I began teaching yoga almost 10 years ago. At the time I knew one thing; yoga was the best thing I had ever found for my mental and physical state. I also wanted to keep it for me. I had taught various forms of movement for years and really didn’t want yoga to be something that I taught. However, I had a slightly irresponsible yoga teacher. He would just not show up sometimes, which was not uncommon in those days. Each time it happened the other students would look at me and plead for me to teach them. I wasn’t a yoga teacher! I hardly knew anything. Over time, I realized that this was just too great a gift to keep to myself.
I took a few trainings but really started teaching after practicing at that time about a year. (I had done yoga on an off since I was in high school, but not seriously). At the time I was a personal trainer and had been for about 10 years. I was burnt out and was sneaking off to yoga class after teaching people to do weights and cardio at the gym. I hated all that stuff at that point. I didn’t like the environment of the gym, which was cold, noisy, mirrors everywhere, and lots and lots of equipment. Basically, really over-stimulating. The yoga class I took was the complete opposite. It was tranquil, warm, and even smelled good! I could really bring my awareness in. And… it totally kicked my butt! I mean, I thought I was in good shape, and I was sweating and shaking and sore all over. I loved it. And I felt like a hypocrite. I was not speaking my truth. I didn’t believe in what I was teaching people at the gym. I believed deeply in the benefits of yoga.
Point is, being centered is also about finding the balance between waiting, studying, educating yourself, and just jumping right in. This balance will be different for every person and every situation. However, you know which type of person you tend to be. I am a jumper without a doubt. I love the rush of closing my eyes and jumping off that proverbial cliff. For me, balance means I sometimes need to be patient, count to ten before I speak, and sit with things a bit longer than I am inclined.
At the end of my tenth year as a professional yoga teacher, I can only say thank goodness that I decided to jump off the yoga cliff! The more I trust my instincts, the more I speak my truth, the more fulfilled I am. I feel more centered with every step I take towards what I know to be my path. I wish you the same. Trust your instincts and speak your truth. I sincerely hope that your yoga practice helps you to become the best you can be physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Peace,
mimi
