Last Friday, I took a hot vinyasa class, and a lot of what the instructor said has stayed with me … especially this week as I began exploring  a new style of yoga that focuses much more exclusively on the physical aspects of practice.

The instructor – a very knowledgeable man – told us, as we held triangle pose for what felt like eternity, that so often we all focus on getting ‘there’ ~ as though ‘there’ was a place.  He emphasized that there is no ‘there’ ~ there’s only ‘here’ and if we push ourselves to take big strides our progress is often stalled or impeded … rather, one should focus on small improvements and adjustments.  Sort of like the tortoise and the hare ~ slow and steady wins the race.

I held on to that idea this morning.  My body was sore, and I felt overly exhausted (I’m learning this is pretty standard when I shake up my routine and try to incorporate something new).  But I got myself up and made it to class.  And once I was on my mat, in the heat of the studio, I reminded myself that my goal for this morning was to improve on my performance from yesterday’s class.  Which, much to my surprise and delight, I did.  Despite my fatigue and muscle sore-ness.

Hugely satisfying.  I knew I liked tortoises (and turtles!) for a reason.  We are of a like mind.