I’ve always leaned heavily on Mark Nepo’s beautifully constructed words of wisdom, which people usually love. This time, I’d like to give you some words of my own.
As some of you may know, I’ve taken this time of transition seriously and with the practice of being present. It’s helped tremendously, especially when I know something is coming to an end. I find that gratitude also plays a big part in letting go. It somehow gives me peace. It doesn’t take the sadness away, but at least I know I’ve told some place or some person that I am grateful for them and to keep being themselves and giving people joy, even if they don’t know they’re doing it.
So, with this, I want to give my biggest bow of gratitude to Parallel 45.
Riley: Though she is not here today, her presence fills these rooms and her studios. If you feel safe when you come here, it’s because of Riley and the teachers. I’ve taught at about 10-12 yoga studios in my 11 years of experience, and Riley is hands-down UNMATCHED in leadership, ownership, and just simply being human. She loves her teachers and this community. While I pay my gratitude to her regularly (at least, I hope I do), I am so lucky that she’s always supported who I am and highlighted my strengths. I am one (if not the only) teacher who teaches alignment-based yoga. She took a chance on me and always believed in me, especially when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s always supported me and my yoga-mergencies. I will forever be grateful.
To this community: Most of you I have known for years, and some of you have no clue who I am, but either way, thank you for being here. There are only a few people who’ve been here from the very start of Parallel 45, 6 years ago, to the day. That gives you an idea of how much things change. For those of you who stuck with us through a global pandemic, an extremely difficult time for absolutely everyone, we’re here. For those of you for which a pandemic uncovered a veiled part of your being, welcome and welcome back. I am proud to be a part of this community, watching people grow and change, watching self-inquiry, and building self-awareness. It is absolutely amazing to witness. Thanks for laughing at my dumb jokes and letting me be me. Thank you for sharing your curiosity and letting me teach what I love to teach. Thank you for sharing your yogic path with me. I am truly honored.
I will be the one to say that committing to your yoga practice is not the easiest thing, and you’ll go through phases. I don’t expect that level of commitment from anyone. But yoga is always there for you. It’s absolutely unconditional and unbiased. Give yourself grace and forgiveness if you don’t come to class because you can practice yoga anytime, any day. Meaning: you can breathe and slow down; you can let go; you can soften; and you can practice compassion and kindness to anyone and to yourself. You can discover who you are at your core and love yourself every single day.
I want to give one reminder about the type of yoga I teach, and that is that alignment-based yoga is not about being perfect. It’s about exploration and finding out what works for you and your body. It’s the “what happens if”… It’s about noticing what comes up when you fall or when you get injured, or when you come to yoga five days in a row or lift both feet up in crow pose for the first time. It’s about slowing down and observing, with deep compassion (aka no judgment, negative or positive) for yourself as your body changes and ages. It’s about resting when your body needs rest and finding a sliver of grace when you’re frustrated. It’s about moving when you feel lethargic and balancing everything in between. It’s about being okay with not being okay. Ask yourself what you need and how you can show up for yourself. Let your practice, your body, and who you are be what it is in the present moment.
With all of this being said, impermanence is part of our lives, though we choose not to speak about or deny the negative, anger, sadness, and grief. The day before you began practicing yoga in this space, you weren’t here. And now you are. And P45 once was not, and now is. People have come and gone. Your body will change. Your willingness to listen to it will also change.
Be yourself and no one else. Be as you are, imperfections and all. You are enough. Live your life knowing that this is it – this is the path, the body, the experience you were given. As Mark Nepo says, “How will you carry yourself? What will you do with your hands? What will you ask, and of whom? Today, you are precious and awake. Ask what you need to know now. Say what you feel now. Love what you love now.”