Defining the true "Yogi."

     Have you figured out what your practice is all about yet?  Have you truly thought about it?  Or does it continue to simply be a plain old workout?  Have you taken the time to capture or notice your habits?  When you don't like something or when you can't wait to get to your favorite thing?  Do you complain a lot in your own head?  Do you complain about the heat or the fans?  Do you wipe the sweat off your face every chance you get?  Do you always need the perfect spot?  Do you always need to have the same person next to you? Do you hold back on some poses and go all out on others just because?  Do you tend to follow a particular teacher over others?  Have you ever been angry during class?  Why?  How often do you wonder off in your head when you're practicing?  Why are you practicing?  What are your goals?  Has your practice changed anything about you or your life?  What do see when you stare into the mirrors?  Do you accept who you are as you are?  Or are you competing with the person next to you?  Do you avoid yoga when you know you're going to have a teacher that's going to push you?  Do you need it to be easy?  When you eat garbage like fast food and you suffer during your practice, have you figured out to stop eating stupid garbage?  Does yoga make you feel strong and confident or is it hard to face yourself?  To face your bad habits?  To face having to make decisions or changes that could better your life?  Are you afraid of how much work it will take?  Do you need your hand held?  What would it take?

       Some of these questions are tough.  Maybe even a bit insulting.  Some of you may be saying "Is he speaking about me?"  "Are you talking to me!?"  But the reality is that we all go through this.  We all have these events take place in our practice.  If you never have, then your ego is just too big for the rest of us.  I'll tell you why I teach yoga.  To help you get better each day.  Not just in your practice, but as a "Yogi."  A yoga practitioner that doesn't need to wipe their face after every pose.  Instead, someone with discipline who is ok sweating.  To help you conserve your energy, to let go of your nervousness.  To slow down your thoughts.  To help you take a break from everything and just focus on your health, you body.  To actually feel your body and to notice what's going on with it.  To tap into your mind and stop doing the things that are hurting you.  Be it bad relationships, eating the wrong things or passing judgement on yourself.  To help you realize that there is something bigger than ourselves.  To help you respect and nurture your home; your body.  This is where you live 24/7.  To help you to let go; anger, frustration, worry, being hard on yourself, fear, depression and to help you breathe.  Simply breathe.....

     A "Yogi" by definition is an individual who isn't attached to the material.  An individual who knows and understands their own strength, talents, abilities and will power.  An individual who can be perfectly still.  Someone who knows they can adapt to anything.  Someone who simply appreciates life and the time we're given to be here.  Someone who looks at life and sees it as a gift.  Someone who doesn't take things for granted.  Someone who has learned to stop racing.  Someone who takes the time to hug and love their children, spouse and pets.  Someone who has learned to simplify.  Who is no longer interested in complicating their lives.  Someone who doesn't hold on to grudges.  Someone who is always learning and learning with an open mind.

     As you continue in your practice, pay attention to what you're doing.  Stop the things that truly don't matter so much and focus on the ones that bring happiness to your heart.  You're not just investing your money into the studio where you practice, you're investing your time.  Money, we can recover.  Time, we never get that back.  After you leave work and you come in to practice, let go of your day.  Keep your practice simple and don't complicate it.  If you come in before work, use it to direct the rest of your day.  When it comes to your yoga practice, you need your yoga mat, water and your discipline.  That's it!  Pretty simple right?  Next time you practice, try not to get hung up on anything.  Don't reach for your hand towel.  Be still, breathe, and work hard.  Just zone out.  Find your meditation and heal whatever it is you need healing.  Enjoy your practice my friend and use it to become a better you.  Allow your practice to define you as a true "Yogi."

To your health & success,

Marco Gamez