A Love Letter To yoga

Yoga,

You give so many gifts. They’re ever present, whether I’m flowing through a sequence or sitting in stillness.

These are just a few:

Permission.

To tune in within. To be nowhere

but in the moment,

on my mat.

Movement as medicine.

As I bend, extend, twist and hold,

I can feel my body

being comforted massaged, energized and healed.

Sensation to savour.

While I breathe, I build heat.

As I reach, I feel release.

When find my edge, I surrender to feeling.

The need to seek sensation from outside myself or from substance dissolves.

Flexibility & strength.

The more I practice,

the further I can stretch

and the longer I can hold poses.

This physical progression proves

that I can mentally overcome

the challenges I’m presented with

off the mat.

Compassion.

In our quiet moments,

I gain understanding and compassion for my community;

my parents, friends, peers, colleagues, and strangers too.

Most importantly though

you help me find compassion for myself,

the one I’m hardest on

and who needs my kindness the most.

Peace.

As I move through practice, you give me space

to shift my perspective.

You help me process the past.

Accept the present.

Find optimism

and put my best self into the world.

Gratitude.

For my body and all it does for me.

Gratitude for all that I am.

For all that I have.

And knowing it’s enough.

You remind me that everything is going to be ok.

I’ll never be alone because I’ll always have myself;

my body,

my mind,

my spirit.