My partner, Nic, and I decided to book a trip for our sixth anniversary. We decided to go to Bali, Indonesia because we both agree that their culture is still strongly reflected in their architecture, food and lifestyle—things we both wanted to experience. I, personally, looked forward to the slow pace of living in the Indonesian province, immersing myself in the Hindu culture, and practicing yoga without having to worry about teaching a class afterwards. In short, I left to quickly recharge and check-in with myself in the process. I took a very quick break from teaching and writing too. I’m on the eighth day of my vacation, and I couldn’t help but flip my laptop open and just allow all the thoughts I have collected from this trip to freely pour out.
You probably know by now that I advocate the practice of yoga, not because I teach it but because it has saved my butt many, many times. When I say saved, I don’t mean from anything or anyone–it’s from the little cracks and potholes we fall through nearly everyday. These are the small, harmless things we either do or fail to do that eventually create a huge impact in the long run. I am way too far from being liberated. But I am grateful that my practice is there to continually help me become a better version of myself overall.
I can’t blame you if you still see yoga as a physical practice and wonder how all that stretching, lunging, “long-inhaling” and “long-exhaling” can ever help anyone find a deeper sort of happiness. Well, it is true that yoga, especially the type that most practitioners do these days, is a physical activity. I recently read a great article from International Yoga Teacher, Kathryn Budig, on your yoga practice counting as a day’s workout. You see, depending on the intensity of your practice, Yoga can be so much more than just stretching. But Asana or posture is (surprise!) just 1/8 of the yoga practice and, at this day and age, often the starting point.
So, if one day you find that your relationship with your yoga mat is turning into a serious one and you’re ready to take it to the next level, then you may want to commit to opening your eyes just a teeny bit more so you can start taking notice of the small things yoga does to grow you as a person. Of course we have to look past the amount of weight you lost or the muscle mass you gained. And like any other relationship, you must put in the time and effort and become more sensitive to how your partner (in this case, your practice) gives back.
Every person’s relationship with yoga is different. How your yoga takes care of you is different from how it takes care of me, or that person on the mat next to you at the studio. But the thing it does to everyone is to give as much breathing room as one needs. It’s always willing to give that much needed personal space for you to easily sort through the clutter in your mind and take a better look at yourself from within. Just like a Kinder Surprise, there’s always a small treat inside each time you look. And depending on what point you are in your life or what you are going through at the time, you may either end up keeping the small toy or losing it (often for its size) only to find the same one in another egg later on.
I must admit that it has taken me days to clearly recount the ways yoga has made both my heart and soul happy. It’s not easy because there’s a little bit of everyone in me and there’s always one or two things this beautiful practice has revealed to me about myself. And maybe as you read through this piece, you’ll find that you’re a little bit of one person or more of the other or maybe you’re entirely different and not on this list. Remember, though, that a second installment is coming out soon. 😉
So as I sit here, recollecting all those, I can’t help but smile each time I find myself being able to put them into words. Okay, maybe having a fantastic view of the beach as I write also helps (yep, that was an effort to get you a little jealous there!). Okay, here goes.
FOR THE SMART DECISION-MAKER: CHOOSING WHAT’S GOOD OVER WHAT’S RIGHT
I’ve always known myself to easily follow my gut especially when I’m feeling pretty strong about something. I’ll never forget the instance when one of my Creative Directors told me that I would never survive the politics of Advertising. And although it hurt the first time I heard it, I later on realized that it was true. If you ask me (and maybe a lot others), the right thing to do was to toughen up and learn to be more of a thinker rather than a feeler. Call me stubborn, but even though I loved what I did back then as an Advertising Executive, I continued to listen to my gut and left the industry to pursue something I loved much more: sharing. Believe it or not, yoga has taught me that. It has taught me the process of Svadhyaya or self-examination and inquiry. It taught me to trust myself, because whether your decisions come from your gut or from you head, know that it has been well thought of. Your gut has a brain too! One of my favorite quotes goes, *“Choose to do good over what’s right and you will never be wrong” or something to that effect.
*I read the quote in the paragraph above a few times in the past and never forgot about it. Now, I could neither find the source nor the exact words. If you know, maybe share the details with us below!
FOR THE URBAN SOCIALITE: DEALING WITH MY BIGGEST FEAR (AND IT’S NOT ACROPHOBIA)
FOMO is a really hip acronym I learned through the Internet a few months ago. Each time one of these comes out, I pause and try to figure it out using context clues but eventually shrug and accept that I am not as young and hip as I wish I were. But seriously, if you haven’t encountered this acronym, it means Fear of Missing Out and it’s a thing. Here’s a fun fact: as of this writing, over 76,400 photos on Instagram alone have been tagged with this acronym (search #FOMO). Imagine if we tally the number of times it has been used in casual conversations, chats and text messages.
It’s not just teens who are losing sleep over FOMO. In fact, it applies more to adults more than it does to the young adolescents who constantly use it. We all have that “fear of missing out”. That’s why we are always in a rush as we move from one place to another or accomplish one task so we can begin working on the next one. In today’s world, most especially if you live in a highly urbanized area, the slow ones get left behind. And when you’re left behind, you’re less likely to succeed, less likely to become rich, you’re considered uncool and you will never get into the inner circle.
We’re so scared of missing the big stuff that we run around trying to be in so many places almost at the same time. But aren’t we missing the bigger picture? Missing the fact that we are not completely present in one place because we’re always thinking of being somewhere else? How’s about actually being in the coffee shop with your friends rather than sitting in the coffee shop but being present on Instagram instead? Who’s guilty? (I know I am.)
FOR THE HUSTLER: LEARNING THAT SLOW MOTION IS MORE THAN JUST A CINEMATIC EFFECT
Apart from realizing the slow (and controlled) movements in yoga make it seriously more challenging, I also discovered that when I’m preoccupied with other thoughts during practice, my body races at the same pace as my brain. And when I began leading classes, I also noticed how the pace at which my thoughts run affects the way I deliver my cues, which also ultimately affect how the students in class move. The pace at which your thoughts run sets the speed of your world and every thing that’s in it. Don’t wear yourself out trying to catch up with the universe, slow down so the universe and all things that matter can catch up with you.
Steady thinking makes for steady talking. Teaching yoga has also taught me to be pickier with words, both ON and OFF the mat. Cueing properly is very critical and words are our best tools as teachers to guide practitioners in the class. Through my years of practicing yoga and listening to the cues of several teachers, I have felt how each one draws something different from my practice each time. And if your yoga allows you to listen more intently, you’ll also realize that the intentions of your teacher are reflected in their cues. When you take your time to really think, you’re able to choose among synonymous words and pick the one that brings out exactly what you have, not just in mind but the intentions you hold in your heart.
Since we’re on the topic of slowing down, my mom has always complained about how I was so much like my dad. She calls both of us “The Slowpokes”. Of course, we like to take our time—I mean, who doesn’t? Well, it would probably make more sense to say that I’m not afraid to take my time most especially during instances when rushing puts me under unnecessary stress. And to be fair, being a slowpoke has its upsides too. I get to enjoy breakfast, my most favorite meal of the day. I also get to savor the tiny details of a scenic view, I feel rested and less scattered, and I am less likely to do things that I will regret afterwards. All these if you just let things happen ssloooooooowwwlyyyy.
Watch out for Part II of this article. In the meantime, let me know how your practice, which can totally be something else and not yoga, has showed you something new about yourself. Comment below or send me an email! x
Featured Image shot at Tao, Nusa Dua, Bali
