Uncharacteristic of these parts, a sleety rain generously dribbles over the windows and the roof gutters are overflowing. A low fog covers the horizon and soggy autumn leaves sluggishly swirl in the fierce wind. This must be the big storm system that’s been the talk lately. It’s obvious this weather will not accommodate my trekking plan for the day, so an alternate plan begins to develop.
For years, trying to maintain some flexibility, I’ve done my own yoga routine, but either I don’t drive myself hard enough and don’t progress or push myself too vigorously and end up with injuries. A soft, quiet voice says, Why not find a community of yogis? Normally, I have a habit of not really listening to that quiet voice, but today, in this gray weather, I pay closer attention. Soon, though, a bigger, gruffer voice overshadows the quiet voice: You won’t fit in, you hate to be pinned in by schedules, you don’t like crowds, and you’ll fall over in Crescent Warrior pose. It registers that the big voice sounds like anxiety speak, trying to keep me in my comfort zone. Today, for a change, I try to go with the quiet voice…
I grab my yoga gear and my keys and open the garage door. But it seems as if the weather and the anxious thoughts are in cahoots with one another – all trying to convince me to do this yoga thing some other time – as the sleet and rain pound and autumn leaves swirl. I take in a deep breath and realize that if I do not act on the little voice in this moment, it will likely be years before I get the momentum to get this far with this idea again. So, I brave the storm and end up at the yoga studio. I check in, pay up, and follow instructions – remove shoes in lobby, head down hall, enter room on left.
I stake out an obscure spot for me and my mat and check out the surroundings. I notice a teal mural of a human tree embellishes the western wall and one by one, introspective yogis enter the room, each laying down a colorful mat. More yogis, more colorful mats. Though I start feeling a bit boxed in and have a primal urge to run, I can’t bow out, as yoga instructor has entered the room. So, I go with the flow…
Yoga Instructor smiles, welcomes us, class begins. Instructor guides us in various poses and throughout coaches such things as: Just breathe. Be curious about who you are. Get rid of that which does not serve you. Don’t let your own thoughts victimize you. Let it go. All resonating words I need to hear. Before long, every muscle group is worked out and sooner than I’d imagined, we arrive at resting pose where fellow yogis and I soak in peace and stillness. Ah, the peace. Mind, body, spirit now in harmony. Finally, Instructor asks us to rise from resting pose to seated. With a bowed head and prayer hands at heart, Instructor says, Namaste, the light in me honors the light in you. Yogis return the namaste, prayer hands, and bows. I pause for one moment longer to honor that small, quiet voice.
