What is the bravest thing to do?
When I first stepped on the mat on an ashtanga yoga class more than 5 years ago, I had no idea what i'm digging into. I might have tought it's fun (or it's impossible, weird and extremely hard).
Not that much time later somebody told me 'think twice before you seriously start this practice, backbends in particular. there is no way back.' A couple of months and practices later, I had the feeling, this is amazing(ly challenging). I still didn't know what this whole story is about, i just wanted to go on deeper and deeper.
F*** this shit, I should just immediately stop in this very moment and leave it. How many times I felt I don't improve, i don't like it at all or that it hurts me like hell. Ups and downs come and go. The miracle is somewhere behind all of these. Following each practice, the only thing I wanna do is keep quiet to preserve this inner magic as long as possible. Just be there. Just be.
When I first said the words 'ekam. inhale.' to someone else than myself, I somewhat started to sense something about the meaning of humility. Towards the tradition, the practice, each breath and each heartbeat. Getting engaged with ashtanga is not an easy journey to take. Not because you wake up before sunrise, practice six times a week (basically 7/24), do difficult postures or make strong commitment. But because ultimately it opens your heart. And I cannot imagine more terrific and brave thing to do these days than opening your heart to love fearlessly.