Can I just tell you how much I am digging the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali? I am reading the version that was translated and has commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, and it rocks! I was browsing through some of the many passages that I’ve highlighted over the past few months and found a special one that I would like to share. It hit home the first time I read it and even more so as I read it on the eve of my graduation from yoga-teacher training.

In speaking about satya or truthfulness, which is one of the yamas, Sri Swami Satchidananda had this to say:

“Yoga is not a philosophy to be followed with blind faith. In the beginning, it is true that confidence and trust are necessary, but as you continue to practice, every step will bring more and more hope, greater and greater confidence. If we are true Yogis for just one day, we will be transformed and want more of it. It’s contagious, just like any other habit. Once we get the taste, even if the whole world stands in our way, it won’t keep us from our goal.”

I have to admit that when I first started yoga, it took a great deal of confidence to even think I could bend and twist my body into some of the asanas. I had to trust my body, do what felt best on any given day, and trust my teachers to provide modifications and encouragement to gently push me along on my journey. When I first started practicing yoga, my feet were so far off the floor in downward-facing dog, it was ridiculous. Even though I knew there was a good chance those feet would never make it down flat to the floor, I held out hope, made a little progress every week, and stayed on task.  You can imagine my joy, when about a month ago, my feet kissed the floor for the very first time! Talk about bringing on greater confidence; that accomplishment rocked my world. If I can get my feet to the floor in downward dog, just imagine what I can accomplish both on and off the mat, or, better yet, imagine how still I can get my mind during practice and meditation.

I don’t know if I’ve ever been a true yogini for a day, but I will tell you this: I am transformed…I am hooked…I’ve caught the bug and it is contagious as all get-out! I’ll be the first to admit (no interventions required), I’m addicted to yoga and thrilled to be certified to teach it. I’ve got a huge appetite for it, and nothing is going to stand in my way of becoming an awesome yoga teacher.

I’ve been working hard to get some classes set up and have just posted my new schedule of yoga classes here at The Daily Downward Dog. If you live in northeast Ohio, it’s time to give yoga a try and come on out to one of my classes! I promise its habit forming but a great habit to have!

Photo: Jessica Bowden