A Student's Journey
This page is dedicated to the journal entries of The Yoga Tree's apprentice, Angelina...one student's journey.
Resilience
“I have told you about the early days of my marriage so you can understand why I became weak and strong at the same time. Maybe according to your American mind, you cannot be both that would be a contradiction. But according to my life, I had to be both, that was the only way I could live.”
-Amy Tan The Kitchen God’s Wife
Dear Yoga Tree
Recently, I have been considering what qualities are needed to endure life’s challenges gracefully. The image of a wicker basket comes to my mind. I have a round, woven wicker basket that I fill with yarn that I need for whatever crochet project I am working on. Right now, I am working on an afghan and the basket is bulging with yarn for this large project. The wicker gives and moves to accommodate the yarn, yet it does not break. It is still a complete basket despite the contortions I put it through. This recalls the Amy Tan quote that I included at the beginning of this entry. To be resilient you must be weak and strong at the same time. You must yield sometimes because if you’re too rigid you will break, but you must always remember your essence, retain that seed despite being required to yield. Your true essence cannot be altered.
I try and conjure up this understanding of resiliency when I confront challenges on the mat mental, emotional, or physical. If I push harder, will it strengthen my practice or am I endangering myself in any way? It is through resiliency and balancing between being weak and being strong that effortless effort can be achieved.
In Peace and Love,
Angelina
12/1/11
Transition
Dear Yoga Tree,
As the New Year approaches, I have been frequently reminded of the change and anticipation that it signals. This New Year I will be transitioning into married life. During times of transition- big or small- I tend to have an uneasy, anxious feeling. It is during these times that the practice of yoga is my salvation. Through my practice, I am able to connect with myself at all levels and feel the peace that exists inside of me even as the world is in motion. The ritual of visiting my true Self and setting an intention to be authentic as I confront changes helps me to manage my anxiety as I experience transition.
In Peace and Love,
Angelina
10/1/2011
Dear Yoga Tree,
Our grand opening weekend was such a beautiful mingling of old and new faces. I felt immediately connected to everyone through our shared commitment and love of the practice of yoga. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to meet new and amazing people as part of my work at The Yoga Tree. It is with the guidance and support of everyone in our community that I hope to continue to grow and deepen my practice.
With gratitude,
Angelina
9/1/2011
Dear Yoga Tree,
Each day that I practice yoga in this studio is a new experience. I have been more aware of my habit of slipping into autopilot on the mat. While I am practicing, if I am comfortable with the postures that the teacher is leading, I tend to allow my body to move without my mind being fully present. I am newly inspired to maintain uninterrupted awareness on my breath and what my body is feeling while I practice asanas at The Yoga Tree. I remind myself that each breath is unique, each posture is unique, and each day is unique and if I am not aware while breathing and practicing means that I am not allowing myself to fully experience a unique moment in my life.
Seeking to heighten and strengthen my awareness during practice is helping me do so when I am off the mat as well. I have recently begun sketching again at home. Drawing requires the same attention to detail that practicing asana does. I am working on a drawing of three teapots. Each teapot is unique and has its own contours that reflect or absorb light and each has a unique shape that creates positive and negative space. If I do not fully absorb the uniqueness of these details and observe them with the force of my full awareness, my sketches do not reflect the teapot I am trying to portray. To test my ability to stay fully present while drawing, I am sketching each pot individually repeatedly before creating a finished drawing of all three together. This is an example of how I am utilizing yogic thinking in my everyday life.
I am thankful for everyday that I have and for each breath. Each practice at The Yoga Tree centers me and prepares me to be the most authentic version of myself as I move through the world.
In Peace and Love,
Angelina
