My highest aim and how it relates to my yoga practice

I was asked to write a short paper on this topic for my yoga teacher training. here it is:

Practicing yoga was something I did not start with a serious mind or passion. I had a back injury and my high school’s athletic trainer suggested I take the yoga program offered at our school. Throughout my childhood I remember my mother playing some silly yoga class on her TV in her room, and I would sit and watch or sometimes even try, but I would quickly get bored and leave. When I started this class all I could think was that I just wanted my back to get stronger and then I’d be done. I didn’t even see it as a hard thing to do… until I tried it. Wow yoga was tough. After realizing this, my next thoughts were that I could not do it and needed to transfer out. But I didn’t.  

            I continued to practice, and realize that I was already a lot stronger than I was giving myself credit for. I fell in love with the empowerment I felt through yoga. My entire body felt more in sync than ever before. I began to practice almost every single day. It cleared my mind and made me love myself. I think every teenage girl should at least try yoga once, just once. To see if it empowers them as well. I think it could help boost a lot of self-confidence if they are taught to practice correctly. By that I don’t mean that there is only one way to practice. By practicing correctly, I believe you focus on your own practice and what makes you mind and body feel good. Everyone’s bodies and abilities are different, therefore it may become easy to get discouraged if you are comparing yourself to others.

            I have found myself comparing my body’s abilities to others at times, and becoming envious. Yoga is not about being envious or feeling inadequate. To me yoga is about finding your true self, loving your true self, and making your true self the best and happiest it can be. I always try to keep this in my heart while practicing. If everyone who tried yoga thought about their practice in this way, I think many more people would practice yoga. My favorite quote to remember, and to share with those who tell me they will never be “good” at yoga is, “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn about yourself one the way down”.

            In summary, I would say that my highest aim is to love myself and to share love with others. I know that through teacher training I will be able to learn how to share yoga with others, and help them to love themselves and others more.

Laying in my bed with my head to the window is one of my favorite things. 

I don't have blinds or curtains on my window, being on the third floor with no near neighbors -they are pointless. 

Besides, I love the sky. 

So I'm laying here in my bed with my head to the window. Staring up at a cold winter moon. Tonight she is full, and her light reflects off the snow. 

I am not afraid of the night- just of the dark- so nights like these are my very favorite. 

This is the moon that sees my dreams and my prayers. The same view of Jupiter right through this bedroom window every night that I've had my whole life. 

This is the view I'm going to ache for, the one I'll have nightmares without. 

August is coming nearer, and though I am excited to move away, I will never be happy to see this view go.

So tonight I am writing in thanks. A simple sight of my moon, my moon through this old third floor window, fills me with gratitude for all the years I've slept here.

And gratitude for everything so lovely and kind in my life. 

I am blessed. Goodnight.