Overcome Obstacles- We Are A Work in Progress

Hey tribe!


It is my greatest hope you are all healthy, safe and taking care of YOU. This COVID-19 world calls us now more than ever to self-care. Not selfish care, but the real, nitty gritty, sweat on the brow, care of self. The big girl pants kind of care that is accepting what is, being with it, breathing through it and taking the next right step. It means coming humbly to our mats for meditation/prayer/reflection to mindfully set our hearts toward a powerful intention & put it into our bodies through our asana practice. Our life is our practice; our practice is our sadhana. 

That is what we do each week at Embody. Currently, being online, it offers more obstacles on the path between you, me and us. We cannot meet in person. Technology does not always cooperate. It can feel harder than ever to get to our mats. That is why this week I am invoking Ganesha, the Hindu deity who helps us overcome obstacles. Funniest part of this week's YouTube is that the practice I taught became an obstacle; as I was teaching the class, it stopped recording after 40 minutes. So once again the recording has a significant flaw. At first I was super frustrated when I faced the computer screen after one side of the final twist and saw that the class stopped. OMG I wanted to cry and then I had to laugh. Ganesha was telling me, oh silly one, the obstacles never end; they are a part of life. So I knew I could fight this one or go with what is perfectly imperfect. I hope you can accept me, as well as my flaws, because I want to be the leader and teacher who is transparent with failure, struggle, and stressors.  So this week, you will experience a class that is incomplete and I consciously decided to leave it that way as a reminder that the obstacles will continue to come. I don't have a studio to retreat for perfect quiet, a camera crew or editing team to help the video picture or sound & I definitely don't have wardrobe or make up. I have myself, my passions, skills and talents along with my  imperfections and growing edge of teaching online. The work becomes how we meet the obstacles; the obstacles are the way. 

I ask you to meet this week's class with grace and humor. Simply finish the practice on your own by completing the second side of the twist then lie back for a final savasana. Know that your practice bears fruit; your efforts are blessed. Leave your mat knowing that the spirit of Ganesha is always with you to help you transcend your obstacles with humor, and also remind you that though the obstacles will never end, you have the tools to withstand and overcome the tough times, and a community behind you to cheer you on (virtually for now.)

Reach out for help. Be a blessing for another. You. Me. Us. We cannot withstand the obstacles alone. We need each other, our shared practice, and the Circle of Care that holds us all as one. 

Go in peace my friends. Shine your light. Share your life. The world needs YOU now more than ever. 

I love you all.

Yours in health, happiness, and community,
Dana

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“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”

― Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU PRACTICE This week's recording cut off early (oh technology ;/ I ask you to meet it with grace and humor. Simply finish the practice on your own by completing the second side of the twist then lie back for a final savasana. Know that your practice bears fruit; your efforts are blessed. Leave your mat knowing that the spirit of Ganesha is always with you to help you transcend your obstacles with humor, and also remind you that though the obstacles will never end, you have the tools to withstand and overcome the tough times, and a community behind you to cheer you on (virtually for now.)