My daughter Lucy is going through a phase. Which is teaching me a lot about life. Since she started walking, she has officially become a “toddler”. Yet at 11 months, I feel she is still a baby. Life for her is hard - falling again and again but always getting up, learning about the world and how she fits in.
A yoga teacher once said in class that “life is hard and yoga is easy.” Sometimes I wonder if perhaps I heard it wrong and it’s supposed to be the other way around, that “life is easy and yoga is hard.” In society, we get conflicting messages about living with ease yet working hard. Ever since I was a kid, I refused to believe my parents whenever they tried to tell me that life is hard. Ignorance was bliss. Since I’ve gotten older and have to deal with boring things like laundry, traffic and bills on a daily basis, I’ve begun to think “Gee, my parents were right!” And yet there’s so much to distract us away from these grim realities, like TV, movies, food, drugs, shopping....the list of addictions is endless. Life can be made a lot easier if you want it to.
And then there’s yoga. If one can be addicted to anything, yoga would be a good choice. Yes, one needs to be disciplined to practice yoga to get its full effects. Whatever form your practice takes, do it as often as you can, whether it’s meditating, going to yoga class or practicing breathing. Practicing with your highest aim in mind and with a devoted heart will keep you going, just like a toddler learning to walk, run and jump on two feet, navigating the world. Never lose your enthusiasm. My teacher Sharon Gannon says that a yogi’s progress is measured by how happy they feel. And that spiritual people are always connected to the source.
Lucy is going through a phase, but once the turmoil has settled, I tell myself she is going to come out of it empowered and secure, believing in herself and that the world is a good place. Isn’t that what we all want? Isn’t that what yoga brings us?
“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.” -Aldous Huxley
About Heidi:
Heidi discovered yoga as a way to center and ground herself and connect with others when she began teaching young children in NYC in the late 90’s. Her practice started at Jivamukti where she trainined with Sharon Gannon and David Life, her first and most honored teachers, and expanded to include Alan Finger, Shiva Rea, and Molly Kenny. She completed her Jivamukti training in 2009. As a school teacher Heidi loved bringing yoga into her classroom. Now that she’s a mom, she finds herself inspired by her daughter to delve deeper into child development and teaching fun, creative yoga classes for families. She loves the balance of teaching little ones and adults. Her motto is to find the middle path. Heidi credits yoga for keeping her balanced and sane, and loves the journey! Heidi lives in Silver Spring with her daughter Lucy and husband Pasha.
Heidi teaches Gentle Jivamukti Thursdays at 8:00 PM and Lil Omm Movers Tues at 10:30 AM
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