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.