Although I have plenty less-than-graceful yoga poses, my back bends have always been what I would consider impressive. I can pop up, hang out and chat if you’d like while my body takes the shape of a rainbow.
So, this morning, I wasn’t at all excited when my yoga teacher, Todd, decided that I needed to change my arm position, which completely changed the ease of my back bend. Suddenly, what use to be relatively easy was pissing me off.
“Why do we have to make it so hard,” I asked, like a whiny eight year old.
“Because that’s where your power comes from,” he replied while adjusting.
He went on to explain how we do so many things in life mindlessly, even a back bend. We walk around all day and rarely notice the incredible strength in our legs or exercise the power of our Mūla Bandha. According to Todd, what I thought was a great back bend wasn’t as great as I had thought. I wasn’t paying attention. I was just doing what I’ve always done. I was mindless.
“The hardness is just coming from the awareness,” he said.
“But, Todd, it’s physically hard,” I replied, always loving a good debate with a grounded, yogi soul.
“Yes, it is until it isn’t,” he said.
Well, how the hell do you argue with that?
But, by golly, he was right. The second time I went up, it was easier. My arms felt more in control. My back bend had a purpose other than just to get up and back down. Its purpose was to bring power into my practice and, ultimately, my life.
So, why do the hard stuff in life? Why throw a one-woman art show? Why write a book? Why stop eating and deal with your emotions? Why be vulnerable with your heart? Why learn a new language or travel to a foreign country? Why start a business? Why speak in front of thousands? Why change the position of your arms in a yoga pose?
Because, my friend, the hardness of life makes you strong. It’s your power.
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