the tortoise
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.