Practicing Patience and Gratitude

I like to rush. Sometimes I forget to say thank you. Pausing is often forgotten. I can often act in a manner which best serves me. That is, of course, unless I am mindful of practicing patience and gratitude. My guru would remind us of this while we were in uncomfortable postures--and now I get to do the same. Holding the pose in Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) is a great time to remember why I practice yoga. What a good time to remember gratitude for having a car when I am stuck in traffic. How strong a lesson to be patient when I want to find an apartment and move next weekend.

The practice of patience and gratitude is just that: a practice. We forget, we remember, we forget, we remember.... The goal of the practice is that the forgetting happens less frequently and the remembering kicks in a little sooner than it did the last time. When I have tried for anything more, I have become disappointed in myself. From the practice of patience and gratitude comes the gift of being present. I am here now and this is where I am. That alone is a gift and for that I am grateful. The Universe has a map and I can only see what is directly in front of me--for even when I look back my vision is blurry and distorted.

All I need to do is be here. Be here and be grateful. When that becomes my natural state the rest falls into place. Holding the pose becomes an opportunity to mind my breath. Traffic doesn't bother me because I can't be where I'm going until I get there. I have a place to live and all the time in the world for whatever upgrade in living is on the books for me. I am here now. I am grateful now.

On this day...
In this moment...
With this breath...

Namaste

If I’m doing it, then it’s yoga…

I was talking with a fellow yogi today and, about my job, said “well, it’s not yoga, but it’s good for now…” He reminded me that everything can be yoga. He’s right. As a yogi, if I’m doing it, it’s yoga—all that’s required from me is the right intention and mindfulness such as I would bring to my practice on the mat.

During a practice in a class I begin by setting an intention for that practice and then keep ever-mindful of my body, breath, and mind during the practice. Is my big toe grounded to the floor? Is my head on straight? Is my breath even and deliberate? Am I using the sound of the Ujjayi breath to help keep my focus? Am I present or does my mind wander?

Why would that be any different at my job? I can set the intention to be a productive worker today. I can remain mindful of my posture in front of my computer. I can take the time to stretch at my desk when the mouse gets the better of me. I can remember to breathe and drink water. I can be present and not daydream…

As a yogi, I can make it my responsibility to extend my practice into my daily affairs. If I treat life as yoga, yoga continues to grow as my life. Sitting here in “sitting-at-the-computer-asana” or “filing-user-guides-asana”, I can be just as aware of my posture, breath, and intention as I am in Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) or during Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). The choice—as always—is up to me.

Sometimes this is easier said than done—but I suppose that is why we call it our Yoga Practice and not our Yoga Perfect. Today, I choose to set an intention of grateful action and spiritual mindfulness. Today I choose to focus on the solution to my spiritual condition. Today, I continue to practice yoga in all of my affairs.

If I’m doing it, it’s yoga…