As I look back at my posts I realise that I have had this blog for 12 months and that I have not posted for 6 months.
As this is my first foray into blogging I am learning about what it takes to create and maintain a blog and also the discipline it takes to post regularly.
I think about my blog often...but action doesn't happen.
Many of my thoughts and themes come to me during and after yoga (apologies to all my regular yoga teachers - Benn, Maddy, Jenelle, Svetlana, Chrissy, Craig, Kylie, Rowena, Dale, Hal, Sherry, Rachel, Jeanne, Casey...)
Some of these things are for me quite deep and meaningful but somehow get left behind in the wake of activity after class.
Some learnings from the last 12 months:
1. Being present is challenging.
For me it has meant learning (still trying to learn) that it also includes what you are going through at the time physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. All of these aspects have some influence on who and what we are at any given moment.
They influence my practice and where I am today.
At the same time my practice does have an influence on them
2. Progress requires change and risk.
One significant change for me has been the loss of weight that has in turn contributed to changes and improvements in my practice.
Part of the reason for the weight loss was that after 4 years I stopped hiding behind a singlet that I work during class and confronted myself in the mirrors. That meant I have had to confront body image issues (yes, even males have body image issues).
Also, it was about this time that I also started changing what I eat. It felt like a natural part of my evolution as a yogi. It was scary, because I had tried most food plans with not much result. However, subtle changes meant that I wasn't going to starve to death and slowly the changes have been made.
The combination of these factors meant that I had to make changes and take risks that for me meant practicing without a shirt and being seen and observed.
3, Recognition is both humbling and encouraging
As people have noticed changes in my practice and body shape some have made comments to me directly, others have come through my wife or teachers.
It means that I can no longer 'hide' in a class.
I am humbled when someone says something or on occasions when I have been asked to demonstrate a posture or have achieved a new step in a posture.
Its also encouraging to know that after almost 5 years that my practice has not stagnated and I realise how much more I have to improve.
4. Sometimes there is no obvious reason or a bad class or bad season.
Whenever possible I just have to turn up and do the best I can.
5. Smoothies are great - this will be the subject of a whole post on its own
6. You've got to take care of your hydration and electrolytes - again the subject of a post on its own.
Anyway, it's late and I need to sleep...yoga in the morning.....
