I love a quote that I heard a long time ago … “Our practice meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.” … and I have found that universally my practice of yoga, meditation, pranayama leaves me in a more centred, comfortable, balanced, clear, and energized state than it found me. Even after so many decades of practicing I can still be surprised by just how effective simply getting on my mat can be to help me be my best self. This is the alchemy of practice (Alchemy: a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination in a direction that is of great value).
Many years ago in a workshop in Portland, Oregon Darren Rhodes said we ‘shape change to state change’ … as we change our shape in yoga we are transformed into a different state in our bodies, minds and hearts. Different types of poses have different effects and so we have a great toolbox to help us shift our state toward that which is of great value in the world.
Here is a beautiful youtube clip of a blessing from John O’Donohue
And here are the words …
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