Inspiration #3: Yoga, Always

Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Retreat - Level 1
Originally uploaded by Yoga West Vancouver

So, it's Saturday morning, and to be honest, after my hair finishes drying form the yoga sweat, Imabout to dye the five grays that bug the shit out of me.

But yeah, yoga: always. Forever, hopefully. At this point in my life, Judaism is what guides me in my dealings with the world, and gives me a way to understand what God demands of me in my action, my being in the world I'm born into and participate in--and then yoga, my other leg, lets me live in my Self, which is also and equally a gift from God. I am equal parts Pirkei Avot and Patanjali.

At this point, my practice feels like a majority swing towards Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, who I honor as a master teacher. Kundalini yoga has healed me on levels I didn't think I could be healed on, and given me space inside myself where the Truth of my identity continues to unfold. Vinyasa, or sometimes Anusara or sometimes Ashtanga, gives me a place where my physical Self can dance and be strong. They are both truly lovely, and sometimes I feel an ego-driven choice to choose one (and please choose the more normal, more acceptable one, I catch myself thinking...). I don't know why I try to force myself to make this artificial choice, as I love both and benefit from all, but there it is. I think sometimes the spiritual work of Kundalini feels too much, and I need to be more physical, and sometimes it feels just glorious to push myself through a sweaty vinyasa class.

Feeling spacious on the inside is a tremendous gift from the Guru; that space allows your soul, your shared and Godly soul, to bloom and breathe and search through you like a child playing. If you knew that something like that was waiting for you, a smiling and patient and receptive lover waiting for you always, always always finding you again happily, wouldn't you do something to get yourself there? That is yoga, for me. The loose hamstrings are nice, and the ability to accept myself and find myself in myself are equal measures of strength.