“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one”.
– Jane Howard
I just made a major change in my yoga studio. I made the decision to reduce the size of the yoga space so I could build an office for my mind-body psychotherapy practice We just re-opened after being closed for 3 weeks for construction. Despite all the physical changes in the space, what hasn’t changed is the powerful community. Seeing familiar faces, dear friends, and expectant new students fill the space again, made me realize what makes Heartland so powerful is the people….the community.
We are the company we keep. In the past few years, I’ve made more conscious choices to spend time around the people who build me up, give me energy, and inspire me. I joke that I’ve found “my peeps” in my yoga community, and yet it’s true. Spending time around people who desire to transform, grow, let go, extend love, move through the world with an open heart, and be a beacon of light makes me want to keep doing all of this too.
Although I did my yoga practice at home in the 3 weeks we were closed, being back on the mat next to other yogis reminded me of the power of breathing and moving together. Here are 5 powerful reasons to practice together:
1. Collective wisdom. I learn so much from observing students in the bodies listening to their physical sensations, and it always informs my teaching and cues. We are all educating each other.
2. Pushing our limits. When working alone, it’s often easy to give up when things get hard. By surrounding yourself with others working toward a similar goal or objective, you get motivation and support to push yourself just a bit further.
3. Support and belief. Some days you are just tired and lackluster. Being around others who can see your innate light and magnificence, helps you reconnect to that.
4. Borrowed motivation. Even if we aren’t feeling it, getting on the mat and practicing next to another person can inspire us to step up and work harder than imagined.
5. Accountability. When you know your yoga neighbor or teacher is expecting to see you at class, you are more likely to show up. When we show up, we feel better, and we return to life as a more authentic version of who we are.
Keeping the company of my yoga community makes me better, makes me more committed, keeps my heart open. THANK YOU.
