Embracing Tranquility in Life's Chaotic Dance

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the quest for peace becomes a compelling journey—one that many embark upon, seeking solace, balance, and tranquility amid life's chaotic dance. This blog is my invitation to you to join me as I delve into my pursuit of peace, a quest for a life filled with meaning and joy.

Picture this: it's more than two decades ago, and I'm stepping into my first yoga class. As we approach the final moments, the teacher invites us to embrace the tranquility of "Savasana," also whimsically dubbed "Corpse Pose." The mission? Attaining a realm of utter relaxation, a space where both body and mind let go.

Savasana is more than a physical stance; it's a doorway to a meditative state. A chance for introspection and a mindful pause that allows the myriad benefits of yoga to seep into your essence. Now, let me share a candid moment: In the midst of this serene state, tears quietly welled up. An emotional release, pain from the depths within gently squeezed out. I craved more of it yet found myself both drawn to and hesitant about this transformative experience over the years.

Change, as we all know, can be intimidating. Letting go of ingrained hurt and fear? That's a whole new level of courage. But oh, the power it holds – a journey worth embracing.

This Friday will be the first weekend of the monthly learning infusion I have committed to for the next eleven months in pursuit of my Yoga Teacher Certification. This initial certification is a stepping stone, paving the way for me to enrich my practice and officially share my passion as a yoga instructor.

Here's a humorous twist to the story: Remember those career aptitude tests we took in our teenage years? Well, they consistently pointed towards teaching for me, persisting even into my college years. Ironically, the idea of being a traditional teacher, standing in front of a classroom filled with boisterous children, used to send shivers down my spine. It was a resounding "No way, not me!" Yet, life has a way of surprising us. Here I am, with a deep longing to teach, albeit in a vastly different setting—no fold-up desks or Petri dishes in sight. Funny how our paths unfold, isn't it?

Yoga isn’t the end-all. There are other things you can do to achieve greater clarity and serenity in your life. I have through the years leaned on:

·       Connecting with Nature:

Nature, with its soothing rhythm and timeless beauty, became my refuge in my 40’s. I took my first hike, a 16-mile hike through the Catoctin Mountain, and got hooked on long-distance hiking to include a hike to the bottom and back of the Grand Canyon. I remember that hike well because I wept on the last quarter of the way up the canyon – from the gratitude for the ability to make that trek when I knew my father and my friend from college (both of whom are disabled) will never be able to make that hike.

·       Fostering Positive Practices:

Acknowledging the profound influence of daily habits on my overall well-being, I ventured into a transformative journey this year dedicated to nurturing positive practices. This marks a significant departure from my previous approach of "figuring it out as I go," signifying a monumental step forward. While I admire the individuals with color-coded folders, special pens, and a plethora of sticky notes, that's not quite my style (but if you are one of them, I envy you). However, as I delve into this new chapter, I'm beginning to realize that perhaps my mind isn't as different as I thought. I am finding greater productivity in starting each day setting my goals and intentions for the day and then visiting what I wrote at the end of each day. Just 24 days into this more mindful life I find I can no longer start a day without intention-setting!

·       Embracing Challenges:

Every life journey encounters its fair share of challenges, and my pursuit of peace has not been exempt from storms. Yet, in the face of adversity, I've uncovered a profound truth: genuine peace isn't the absence of challenges, but the inner strength to navigate them with grace and composure. Rather than allowing myself to be engulfed by life's tumultuous waves, I've chosen to invest my time in buoyant, positive thoughts. This shift has a remarkable impact on my inner circle—those initially caught in the heat of a topic quickly lose steam and join me in fostering a more harmonious relationship or moment. It's almost like wielding a magic wand, believe me!

·       Sharing the Journey:

The quest for peace is a universal pursuit, and I hope to inspire others on their journeys. Through vulnerability and openness, I share my experiences, knowing that everyone’s path is unique. Together, we can create a community that supports and uplifts, fostering an environment where the quest for peace becomes a shared endeavor.

Curious about the "Namaste" in "Journey to Namaste"? Let's dive in. If you ask most people in the yoga community to translate "namaste," you'll likely get a response like, "The Divine light in me honors the Divine light in you." It's a beautiful sentiment often found on yoga studio posters, but here's the twist—it's not entirely accurate. Not to worry, though, says my inner "Harold with a Purple Crayon."

Breaking down the components, "Nama" signifies bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Consequently, "namaste" translates to 'I bow to you.' The notion of "The Divine in you" originates from the Hindu belief in the universal presence of God, elevating the gesture to a means of recognizing and honoring the divine essence within each person.

Embarking on my "Journey to Namaste" evokes the profound sense of strength, tranquility, and connection I experience after completing a yoga class—rooted, peaceful, and in harmony with the world around me. It's a pilgrimage of the heart and soul, guided by mindfulness, communion with nature, positive habits, inner balance, and the resilience to navigate challenges. In this exploration, I've come to realize that peace isn't a fixed destination but a continuous state of being—one that unfolds with every step on this extraordinary journey called life. I extend an invitation for you to join me on this transformative journey with the hope that you, too, find what you need to live a fulfilling life.

"True Yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life."

-Aadil Palkhivala