Wednesday, September 6, 2017

My Path to Yoga By: Rosa Aronson

Each of us has a unique and yet universal story that describes the path that led us to Yoga. Mine meandered in and out of my life until I was truly ready for it. My first Yoga class was in France. It was in the late 70s. I was teaching English in a middle school, Like many, I considered Yoga a stretching and relaxing form of exercise, an antidote to the stress of teaching. It was that, of course, but I failed to see the more significant side of this ancient practice. Like an iceberg floating on the water, Yoga only reveals its deeper roots to those willing to dive below the surface. My life took different turns. I left France and came to the United States, changed careers, stumbled along and drifted away from Yoga until 10 years ago, when I finally reconnected with it in earnest. But it was still a form of exercise for me until I joined a Yoga studio in Northern Virginia. At the beginning of each class, teachers engaged us in a short discussion on the origins or Yoga, the philosophical concepts of Yoga, the mythology, and told us stories that connected with what was happening in the world. Then, one weekend, I participated in a yoga retreat. We practiced, we chanted, we hiked, we shared our stories around a campfire that night. That was when I realized I wanted to deepen my practice and become a student and teacher of Yoga. Here are some of the most significant insights I have gleaned on the path to Yoga: ¥ The physical practice is but one aspect of Yoga. The poses (asanas) are gateways to your deeper self. ¥ Yoga is a way of being in the world. It is practiced on the mat and off the mat. In many ways, practicing this discipline off the mat is much more challenging than in the controlled environment of a quiet, peaceful studio. ¥ Yoga is not simply a solitary practice. It offers a sense of community. We see ourselves reflected in others, we help each other. No one is lonely in a Yoga class. ¥ There is a wise teacher in each of us. Practicing Yoga is the journey to find and honor your inner wisdom. One of my all-time favorite books is Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. In this autobiographical book, Frankl, who survived life in a concentration camp and went on to be a famous psychotherapist, argues that the purpose of life is not so much to find happiness as it is to find meaning. I believe the practice of Yoga offers such a pathway. The regular practice of Yoga brings clarity, equanimity, and compassion to our lives. I am very humbled to have been invited to teach at Movement Works. It’s a beautiful, welcoming space, where everyone can embark or continue on this extraordinary journey that is Yoga. Namaste, Rosa Aronson, PhD RYT200