Which way down the road?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

                                                                                          -Robert Frost

It is romantic to think that we are very brave because when we come to cross roads in life, we like to think that we take the road that is more challenging, more interesting. One road is filled with lots of obtacles, unprecedented, and obviously an uphill climb while the other is, well, maybe not easy peasy, but somehow, more people has trodden there and there is already a guideline for us to follow. On the second road, just follow the instructions!

If you are someone who has already taken on the challenging road, you will be in for many surprises along the way, of course, you will be shot at, ridiculed, laughed at, and injured physically and emotionally. But somehow, it will bring us nearer to our hearts, and we live life to the fullest and become more confident with every step we take.

Whoever says it is easy? We have to put on a brave face and overcome our fear to make mistakes.

Making the same mistakes again and again is a fool. The intelligent and the wise make new mistakes!

Source: http://curlyqmosaics.blogspot.com/2011/01/always-make-new-mistakes.html



So too in our daily practice of Yoga and Pranayamas. We kept putting our own comfort first and our practice second, making excuses that we have no time, more important things to do at hand, and plain laziness. Slowly, day by day, we forget about ourselves and stop listening to what we really need.

If you are a layperson like me (Yoga masters and Gurus not included), I am sure this this the most challenging practice to take on. Feel guilty of not doing your practice? Couldn't care less that you are not doing your practice? Feel like doing any other thing other than doing your practice? You are not alone.

Introducing Rick Evertsz, my guitar guru during my Taiwan Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training Course, who has taken up this challenge of doing his practice consistently everyday without fail for 1001days. I guess after this, he just can't do without asanas anymore! He has shared with me his amazing improvement in health and flexibility, and to think that he was still so stiff during the Training course in May 2010. This tall bald guy has been quite an encouragement to me in my practices and asanas, and has influenced me to be encouraging and supportive to everyone around me as well!

Just don't beat yourselves up for not doing your practice.  As Guruji says 'Just relax and be your natural self'!