I am stocked to introduce our first guest blogger sharing his thoughts on Yoga.
I first met Will on a retreat with Paul Wooden. Will and I have both been students of Paul's for many years and when Will decided to do Yoga teacher training (YTT) a few years ago, I was more than happy to recommend the Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching (the course I did). I was thrilled to be able to support him during his two years of YTT on this exceptional course. This course has since been remodelled, same great teachers, same great content, new, more regional friendly delivery. Check it out here.
Meet Will Clarke
Will is fascinated by the unfolding that occurs when we practice in service of our own nourishment, awakening and evolution. He is currently based in Melbourne's inner west.
My Thoughts on Yoga
It's 2018 and the world needs more grown-ass, woke-ass humans.
That is why I practice.
Experience has taught me that when I don't practice, nourishment, growth and awakening all happen more haphazardly. They don't cease completely, of course, I just tend to bumble along in much less wholesome and less effective ways... and I suffer more.
But when I practice, this process of growth and awakening is enriched and intensified, it becomes more conscious and I am empowered to be curious, to be courageous, to trust, to lean in - as they say - and be undone by the experiences that find me.
As I practice, I step beyond smaller, less-capable versions of my self and into larger, more-capable versions of myself.
As I practice, the larger, more-capable me that I grow into, is more able to hold, with acceptance, compassion and encouragement, the smaller, less-capable parts of myself that are yet to catch up.
As I practice, I am more able to notice when a limited perspective is no longer serving me, and I am more able to let this perspective go.
And as I see the limits of old perspectives I realise more inclusive, insightful and compassionate ones, because these are just what shines through after the grief and tumult of relinquishing a world-view that was too small.
And as I include more, I feel more, of life's loves and joys, but also its pains and hardships.
but I suffer less
Because the larger me I grow into understands:
That to live is to be wounded, because an honest encounter with life will destroy everything I try to call me, from this limited vantage at which I currently sit.
And that to live is to fail, if only because I will always grow out of what this limited version of me thinks of as success.
That is why my muscles are sore from lifting weights,
my mind bright from mantra and meditation,
my heart tender and my feet calloused from dancing,
my body supple and my focus clear from asana practice,
my soul enriched by good conversation,
and my motivation strong from reflection and integration...
And having realised the power of practice, it feels nigh-on impossible to return to a life without it.
And why would I want to? The world needs more grown-ass, woke-ass humans.
And I intend to be one.
Will Clarke 2018
If you would like to share your thoughts on yoga or your journey to yoga and be included on our blog, please email gina@yogahara.com.au
