Yoga

Yoga is hard. Being around people wearing clothes I couldn’t fit into in third grade, and setting my mat beside others who are wrapping their legs around their heads, is intimidating enough, but, it’s yoga itself that’s most difficult. While I know the various poses, I’m incapable of keeping my balance. Sometimes I hold on, but usually it’s a matter of time before I’m on all fours looking up at others, shaking my head in dismay. Losing balance is part of the deal, I suppose, but it’s frustrating and embarrassing never the less.

I’ve been taught to look for a spot on which to focus. I’ve also been instructed to use breathing and mindfulness to stay balanced. In varying degrees, these techniques have helped, and I suppose with practice they could become increasingly effective. I only wish I could apply them to my spiritual life as well.

I’m embarrassed when seeing people whose faith is stronger than mine. I’m intimidated when others do the kinds of things for others of which I can only dream. Like yoga, though, I need to remember comparing will only lead to giving up and walking away. Instead, I need to set up my mat and get going! Unfortunately, I always seem to lose my balance. Sometimes it happens quickly, other times slowly, but inevitably I end up on all fours, shaking my head in dismay.

One reason I lose my balance is I get distracted. The countless distractions surrounding me serve as invitations to wobble and fall. Like in Yoga, I need to focus on a fixed point, a fixed something or someone that will keep me balanced. Focusing on something permanent causes other distractions to loose their power. Looking back, I can see I lost my balance because wasn't focused on anything permanent.

Breathing and mindfulness are other tools to use. Slowing down and breathing, reminding myself of the person I want to be, the faith I want to profess, and life I want to live can balance me in significant ways, but too often I choose to race through my day, thinking of nothing but the immediate challenges before me. In other words, I lose my balance and miss significant conversations, meaningful moments, and beautiful sunsets. 

As I approach the season of Lent, perhaps it's time to work on balance. I may even go to a yoga class.