Journey Forward: Yoga at Power Life Yoga: Des Moines, IA: August 6, 2016

I almost didn't go to yoga today because it was a Power Yoga Level 2 class in a heated room, with the description of "prepare to sweat". I've had enough of that hot yoga was my habitual reaction. Its too hot and its too hard.

But actually I saw my habit to get cranky when things are difficult. In spite of the hot Bikram class I took yesterday where I struggled so hard, it did bring to light some mental tight spots and a much needed detox. A deeper inner voice urged me to go to class. Do your yoga.

So I went this morning and I'm so glad I did. It was hot but not sweltering and the flow was delicious. Easily flowed into full pigeon, which was once upon a time a goal pose. More importantly I heard at least six times the instructions to

Journey Forward

Now I take these as messages from God. How to take it otherwise, really. Here in Des Moines, IA and struggling with the motherknot of "am I in the right place?", "am I doing the right thing?" 'should I quit?". If you've followed this blog at all you know its a doozy for me and sort of my go-to gripe in life.

So when I hear the "random" instructions in the middle of a random midwest city to journey forward, I hear the instructions to keep going. As Woody Allen once said, 80% of life is just showing up. Yogis would say its 100%. You have to show up and be receptive to the grace that's always pouring forth from the other side. My habit to hide or run or quit showing up shows up with a big instruction to do otherwise from an innocent midwestern yoga teacher.

Towards the end of class "I'm On Fire" made famous by Springsteen, played in a sweet coffeehouse version. So different than the  "I'm On Fire" mantra screaming in my head in yoga class only yesterday. Today I'm reminded of Agni, the sanscrit word for fire, and the first word of the Rig Veda which teaches nothing happens without the fire of desire.

More than anything I want to be a willing servant of God. For today it seems my instructions are to suit up and journey forward with a heart open and available to the path here and now with the people I'm with here and now and the job I'm here to do here and now.

I breezed by the merchandise rack on the way out of the studio. One T shirt grabbed my immediate attention. It simply said

Trust The Universe

Namaste.