Prana Mama - I read that in another blog attached to a site called "Yoga-Dork"... it's just a funny mess of silly yoga stuff that you don't get on other, more serious sites. It was a short story written by a woman, a "mom", who is sick of "yogis" putting her down, making her feel inferior because she isn't living the true "yogic" life. Apparently, there's a term called "Yoga Mom". In the 90's, they were billed as "Soccer Moms" with their SUV's, and their kids, and their busy lifestyle. And I must admit, I don't want to be classified by that term either. "Yoga Moms" are women with money, SUV's, kids, busy lifestyles, a Starbuck's Latte in one hand and a yoga mat in another, rushing to get the kids where they need to be, take care of the family at home, make sure the dog is let out, and then rushes to her class, still in her makeup, "pretending" to be yoga-minded.
Of course, "Prana-Mama" had to write an article describing this and her distaste with the term, the name that is meant to make someone feel false in their efforts. She was wonderful. She was clear, she made it known that no matter where you are or what you do, for those brief moments, she is able to escape the chaos, share a beautiful energy with others in the same situation, and simply...just...well... be.
I have lived a life of effort, and joy, and anger, and luck, and blessings, and made choices that made me go without things that make our lives easier. I have driven the junky car with no AC, windows that were broken, (or gone and covered with a garbage bag & duct tape!) doors that don't open, and radiators that overheat on busy highways filled with bumper-to-bumper cars in traffic jams. I've stuck a thumb out for some help before there were cell phones in every hand, no matter what your status in society. I've worn a backpack and made my way... I've wondered what it was like to have enough money to get the bills paid. I've taken cold showers because it took gas to heat the water, and that was something I considered a "luxury". I've hauled bags of laundry to a laundromat to find I only had a few quarters, so trying to combine the loads w/o ruining my clothes was a skill that I mastered quickly. I've stayed out late, singing in clubs, smoking clove cigs, sipping Gran Marnier (bought by someone else because THAT is the expensive stuff) and choking on the thick, night air. I've slept on the ground in the gorge, I've hiked the trails, and I've been a part of "the scene". I've survived on one meal a day, usually whatever I could make from some rice and some powdered cheese.
The only thing I haven't done is learn from a master Yogi. I didn't get to enjoy Yoga while I was living the "Yogic" life. I didn't meet anyone who introduced me to it. I'm not saying that is how all true yogis live...I'm saying that I enjoyed life, in fact LOVED life when I had next to nothing. I found ways to live, to experience, to run freely, to share, to taste, to laugh hard. I found that to go without is to experience TRUE joy and freedom, and there are moments that I miss that. I miss the first time I had a place with a washer/dryer. Can you imagine the jubilance that came with knowing I no longer had to shlep black garbage bags in the back of a beater to a laundromat? I wanted to wash ALL my clothes!! I wanted to wash my NEIGHBOR's clothes!! I found the reason for hardships is to appreciate the little things.
Appreciation for small joys... Appreciation for BIG joys! Big appreciation for ALL things that come into our lives. We MUST take a step back and look again at how hard we've worked to be where we are... whether it's carrying a Latte in one hand and a yoga mat in the other, or whether it's a simple, elegant life of quiet meditation and minimal items to be concerned with.
I'm not ashamed of my place in life. I'm not ashamed of what I drive, or the home I have, or the ability to pay for needs easier now than I ever did before. I enjoy my coffee, and I have a great yoga mat that was a gift from my Life Partner. I am blessed, fortunate, and hopefully, show my appreciation daily.
Life is easier now. It is easier to follow a "plan"... to experiment with things that I feel will make me a better person. It's not the money, it's not the job, it's not he place... it's the opportunities I have that make it easier. And we ALL have opportunities if we open our eyes to them. Stop complaining, stop worrying, stop being angry, resentful, and bitter. Just start breathing. Practice that Yoga. Look your day square in the eyes when you wake up. Put those feet on the ground, and take off, because it isn't going to wait for you.
I'm proud to be a Prana-Mama - Oh, and by the way, I drive a really cool vehicle now. *wink*
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