Practice doesn’t End when Class is Over
I once met a young philosophy teacher at a yoga festival. He was maybe a few years older than me and had a remarkable energy. He was so settled, so knowledgeable. Filled with wisdom, but also relatable. HIs references were timely things I could relate to. I spent several days soaking up his teaching and loving every minute of it.
And then the weekend was over, I drove my rental car back to the airport. Hopped on my connecting flight and there’s the very same teacher. He just looked like a normal 30-something dude. I thought, “Isn’t this wild? This guy is a great teacher who knows so much about these deep states of consciousness… and nobody here even realizes who he is!”
In a move that was totally uncharacteristic for me I greeted him and told him that I’d enjoyed the weekend. He looked me straight in the eye and thanked me for being there. Like he was really seeing me, you know. We took our seats and had an uneventful flight where I tried to write down everything I’d learned while not freaking out that I’d just had a personal conversation with this remarkable being.
The flight ended and he popped up out of his seat. I watched him grab his bag from the overhead bin and push ahead of several people as the aisle filled up. The tone of his actions felt harsh and like he was saying “don’t F with me, people.” Behind him trailed a ripple of unspoken outrage.
It doesn’t sound like much given the behavior we see in the world these days. But a decade ago, after several days learning about how to treat ourselves and each other with this man, I was pretty shocked. Disheartened too. Was it all an act? Like, did he pretend he was this compassionate teacher but is he really a jerk? Did he forget everything he just told us? Or does it only matter with some people but not everyone?
Looking back now I realize that he had a human moment, as we all do. I honestly don’t know what was going on with him… maybe he was sick, maybe he had an extremely tight connection or maybe he thought he was more important than everyone else on the plane. I don’t know. None of that is my business and it doesn’t matter. What matters is what I took from watching him. Which was this….
Spiritual life doesn’t end when we close our formal practice for the day. Spiritual life is every moment because every moment is infused with Shakti.
How Practice Starts
When folks first start practicing yoga they carve out time for it. They go to a regular class. They practice and time passes. Then it’s over. They put away the mat. Back they go into “normal” life. The joke is that they have road rage on the way home and all the bliss from practice evaporates.
In the beginning your practice is something separate from “normal” life. It’s a break that isn’t really integrated into everything else. It’s super helpful in that we can all use a break from our stressors and responsibilities. But when it’s separate from life it’s just a band-aid that settles you down but doesn’t truly change your way of relating in the world.
In the beginning, yoga’s teachings haven’t penetrated yet. They’re still concepts. Good ideas. But they are IDEAS not lived experiences.
Wait, there’s More…
The shift comes when you realize that you can take what you’ve been practicing on the mat into your life. At first it happens without any effort. Small things: breathing and staying calm when someone is going off nearby, speaking kindly to yourself when you make a mistake, or letting go of expectations with your family even though you used to really stress out about them. Those experiences feel so good that you’re want to keep them going.
Now there’s a movement towards integrating yoga into life. Spiritual teachings that seemed like good ideas in yoga class are now experiments you can try with your people or your pets. They become tips for how to approach everything, not just your body or a pose.
Practice moves off the mat into your life. That’s what yoga always intended. Remember, the postural yoga that we practice in the West, was not a thing in ancient India. It’s not bad, it’s a rather remarkable advancement of yogic ideals. But if the only yoga you’re doing is on the mat then you’re missing a tremendous opportunity for personal transformation.
Weaving Practice into Life
If you really want to transform your life, not to just put a bandage over your stress, then it’s time to weave your practice into your life. There are a billion ways to do it. You could go to any text in the yogic cannon for instructions. You can take anything you worked with in your last yoga class and practice the same thing outside of yoga. All of this will begin the weaving process. And then you just stick with it. For, like, EVER.
But if you want a place to start, try this….
Drop into Center
Set a reminder on your phone to go off a few times a day over the next week
Every time the alarm goes off, pause and connect with Center.
You might close your eyes and take a few breaths, you might bring your palms together at your heart, you might shift your weight around on your feet, but connect to Center
When you come back to “normal” life, do your best stay in Center as you do whatever you’re doing - talking, driving, washing dishes whatever, do it from Center
See how long you can live from Center before you forget again (forgetting is normal, no worries)
This has been one of the main practices in the small coaching group I’ve supported this spring. I can’t tell you how transformative it’s been for these women. First, just the realization that anyone can be in Center when they’re not in formal practice is huge. And then the way that they speak, act, and react is completely different because they are different inside of themselves. I’m frankly astonished and delighted at how they’re shifting.
I know it sounds really simple, but we spend most of our time disconnected; moving through the world in unintentional ways. When you choose to show up for life the same way that you show up in your yoga practice things change really quickly. You become very intentional which creates more presence. With more presence you’re more available to life. You’re here. You make kind and compassion choices more often. And that feels good to you, and to the people around you.
And yes, like that philosophy teacher, all of us have human moments. All of us will misstep and cause harm. The difference is that when we do, if we’re living yoga off the mat we have ways to recover from those missteps. And honestly, when you’re living this way, the missteps don’t happen as much. You really do change.
Your Life is Spiritual
In the Tantric mind there’s no separation between spirit and matter. That means every moment of your life is always infused with spirit. Your life IS your spiritual life.
Practicing your yoga when you’re in your life is how you bridge the gap and weave meaning into what seems mundane. It turns everything and everywhere into a sacred experience. Life becomes a great dance of savoring every experience as a gateway into deeper connection with Shakti….Or so the sages say (Personally, I’m still working on this - but it’s work I’m happy to do).
At the very least if you feel better after your yoga class, try bringing something with you as you go out into the world. See what happens and watch as your life and relationships transform.