My Yoga Journey: From Fitness Routine To Spiritual Awakening

And how I integrated my practice on the mat into my life.

Yoga was just a way to move my body. A way to keep it strong and flexible, I didn’t get all the spiritual stuff and actually I just  rejected it.

I was very closed off, which I think happens when you hold on to pain and anger from the past. Which in my case  it was mainly due to my mothers passing and not being able to process such a difficult experience.

It has been a slow and gradual process in which I started discovering things within and letting my walls down.

The yoga practice invited a sense of softness, making me more open and receptive.

For me this process has been unfolding in three mayor ways:

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ONE:

I STARTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS MY INNER WORLD 

The most significant concept in this regard is the realization that; we are not our thoughts. Our thoughts are temporary and constantly shifting. This is so important, why? Because the quality of what we think is equivalent to the quality of our life, and most of the time our thoughts are automatic, reactive and compulsive.

How did yoga help me with this realization?

With stillness! When you close your eyes and you start breathing mindfully, you create that space between you and your thoughts, you notice what's there, and you can recognize the stories you are telling yourself.

TWO:

I STOPPED WITH THE VICTIM MENTALITY 

In this phase is where true empowerment and responsibility started happening. By having an understanding of my inner world I started discovering what my triggers are. I started accepting the idea that I cannot always change what is happening outside of me, but that I have control and power within myself. 

How did yoga help me with this realization?

Dealing with the frustration that a yoga pose can make me experience. Such as losing balance and falling out, the fear I experience when I hear the word “inversion” the times I have so much in my head and can’t be still and meditate.

Yoga has taught me to stay, not to run away and to be with this discomfort. And knowing that these things are not appearing to harm me but they are here to teach me something about myself. 

YOGA HAS TAUGHT ME TO SIT WITH WHAT IS THERE.

THREE:

THE PRACTICE OF LETTING TO GO

The most important and maybe most difficult thing in life is learning to let go. Let go of an idea, to let go of something we deeply desired, to let go of a person we love and even to let go of our own existence. 

How has yoga helped me to practice letting go?

With savasana! Not only can we find a deep state of relaxation by releasing our body,  but also we can embody how it feels to let go, so our body knows. It is best to do this this practice with tenderness, love and compassion. Noticing what happens when you invite your body to let go.

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Sometimes I can be still unaware of my inner world and be caught up in my head. Sometimes I can still think and feel that the world is against me and experience frustration. And also sometimes, I cannot let go.

This is a work in progress, and that is why yoga is something we say we practice rather than something we do. 

These discoveries have opened up an exciting world that has also been behind the evolution of the way I share yoga with my classes. I hope that me sharing my own journey inspires yours to continue showing up, to continue staying curious and inspired in your practice and in your life

I will see you on the mat,