Wow...Breakthrough
Posted by Jamie Kennedy on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
So, I am currently reading "Yoga As Self-Transformation", and had the most amazing epiphany about the way I've been living life. The article says there are 2 different ways of practicing yoga: 1) involved viewing a posture as an end to be achieved, a goal, 2) viewing the posture as a tool to explore and open the body. As I read this, I realized that I am often seduced by Door #1 in yoga. I have a strong and flexible body, and I am excited to move up and get to the next posture, that I am not even enjoying the posture I am currently in. And then I realized, wow, I have been living my life this way! I've been so focused and caught up in the end result (where am I going? When I will be promoted? Who's going to be there with me?) that I haven't even just paused to enjoy exactly this stage as it is! I've been pushing and prodding and flexing to make the moves come faster to me, but really, all I need to do is take a step back and realize that I am fully satisfied in exploring the current pose (stage) that I am in. Wow. Big concept to contemplate.
I have been practicing the art of Yoga for the past 5 years. My passion started in Los Angeles, when I gained the courage to take a beginner's class at my boldly large Bodies in Motion gym. Although I had literally no clue with a sun salutation was, and the rest of the group seemed to be experts on the subject, I was incredibly pleased with the experience. I noticed immediately that my gymnast background allowed me more flexibility and strength, which encouraged me to continue. After practicing for about a year consistently, I made the decision to move to Tahoe, and ended up losing my consistent practice. This was due to the fact that every free day I had, I spent skiing, or, in the summer, booze cruising on the river (I was 21, after all). There also weren't that many places to practice, and I didn't find excitement in any of the places I did try. After making a huge decision to move to the bay area to obtain a real life-changing career, I started up a regular practice at Ubuntu in Napa along with a couple other studios in the area, and my passion grew and grew over the following two years. And this brings me to this moment; this very moment! I have anticipated this day, September 18th, 2010, for too many months to count. I have started my Yoga teacher training! Practicing at YogaWorks in Larskpur, I am embarking on an amazingly beautiful journey! Here is my story as my move forward into the yoga teacher world...
