In the realm of physical activity, rajas and tapas, my professional and passionate tracks have boiled down to mostly Ashtanga Yoga and Kitesurfing. I'm sitting here drinking an early afternoon Dominican cafecito thinking about how cool it would be do yoga and/or kitesurf every day for the rest of my life. I'm coming off a super high week of practicing with and hosting David Williams, the 68 year-old Ashtanga legend who lives on Maui and says, "If it hurts, you're doing it wrong. Follow the feel good." (To learn more about David click here, I'll write more about this transformational experience next time!!) His workshop is titled, "Ashtanga Yoga for The Rest of Your Life."
The realization that I can choose to do something daily for my whole life that I enjoy is profound. Now for you, it doesn't have to be yoga or kitesurfing, but find something that makes your heart sing and then use your WILLPOWER to do that every day.
Why has life landed me at the crossroads of yoga and kitesurfing? Honestly, I am not totally sure, but I am embracing it hardcore. The learning process is different for everyone, and for me I would have given up learning how to kitesurf if I didn't know yoga. The little yogi inside just kept repeating the same thing, "Practice... Practice... Practice..."
I would call it 8,000 gallons of salt water in my face later I'm feeling that feel, samadhi. Also, it helps that the water is the turquoise + warm blue Caribbean sea. The only thing that really matters is that I am enjoying my time on the water. Sometimes the wind is crap, sometimes I wipe out, sometimes I'm tired, but each time I'm out there I learn something new. Am I physically stronger? Holy moly, yes! But the mental, and now spiritual, strength I have gained from the practice is a big surprise.
Today the water is rough and the wind is temperamental. I'm sitting outside the school and already practiced yoga this morning, not quite the entire Ashtanga second series. I may not know what I'm eating for lunch or what I'm doing tomorrow, but I'm fully into where I am right now. Life is about the deepest knowing, both the self and the world around. I am honored to be able to share these passions with others who may take even a little joy away from each experience. Please reach out, share, comment, come visit and be a part of the community. Your presence in each moment is everything.
"Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory."
-Sri K Pattabhi Jois