dreams, yoga

Step 59: Ingenuity

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” ~ George Smith Patton

This weekend I began my yoga teacher training. After 16 hours over two days, my body is drained and sore, and my mind is full, in a good way. I gave my best at every moment. My mind expanded. Emotions long-buried surfaced in ways that surprised me. This is progress.

Sonic Yoga, where I am doing my training, is a classic Vinyasa studio with a relaxed, fun feel. The answer to every question is “it depends”. We are all treated as individuals, unique in our abilities to give and receive, unique in our needs and wants. And Sonic Yoga honors that individuality.

In our two hour practice this morning, our instructor, Jeffrey, said something during the midpoint of a particularly challenging pose for me. “Dance on the very edge of your practice.” That idea sat with me as I twisted more deeply into Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose). It’s out on the edge, on the very fringe of our existence and our abilities, that we find out what we’re really made of. It’s when we are pushed to our limits, physically, emotionally, and spirituality, that we hear those life-altering truths that are so hard to hear amidst the hubbub of our every day existence.

Jeffrey got the best from all of us, 22 women strong, not by telling us what to do but by telling us the destination. Go to the edge, just a little further than you ever thought possible. That edge will be different for all of us, but the intention is the same. Go out there and live, really live. Whether than means twisting more deeply into a pose, taking on a job that seems a bit beyond our abilities, or chasing a dream that seems just out of reach, it’s amazing what we can achieve if only we focus and extend and keep aiming for the edge. Our own ingenuity never ceases to surprise and delight.

The image above is not my own but it sure makes me laugh. It can be found here.

9 thoughts on “Step 59: Ingenuity”

  1. Christa:

    This is a great post, as usual. Please keep on writing and sharing. Your life is an inspiration. We feel grateful.

    In my case, I wanted to start a new work-out program.
    So, I started to read the literature, and decided to go for a long walk every day.

    It was challenging. It was something new for me, so there were aches and pains all over my body. Ouch! I found it hard even to get out of bed, the next day, in the morning.

    If you are patient with yourself, it works out in the end. That has been my learning experience. It takes a while for the body to adjust to a new routine. If you give yourself time, however, your body will adjust. At least this has been my experience, over time. Now I am good to go.

    I think the daily practice of yoga will benefit your life. A total harmony of mind, body and spirit. Happy to know it is working out for you. And it will only get better from now onwards, so best wishes to you. And cheers to your life!

    Like

    1. Hi Dearest! Come on along. My body is seriously aching in muscles I never knew I had, but I think once I complete the training it will all be more than worth it!

      Like

  2. was just about to email you about your yoga training, when I picked this blog up. So glad it went so well.

    I guess in business terms it can be said to “stay on the cutting edge”? It’s a good place to be – where you set your own boundary, and then push beyond – like the settlers in the old American West.

    And the fish reminds me of the one in Dr. Seuss!

    Like

  3. Christa, great post. This reminds me of what one of my senior told me “Go beyond expected to experience the true delight in your work”. Talking of Yoga, I hope I too start soon :).
    How is life otherwise?

    Like

    1. Hi Sumit! I love that quote. 🙂 Everything is life is great – loving my new job and very excited about this yoga training. Spring is heading our way in short order – I’m looking forward to seeing some green and feeling the warmer weather. How’s everything with you?

      Like

Leave a reply to Archan Mehta Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.