Wednesday, October 26, 2011

So you're quitting your "good job" and becoming a yoga teacher?? Yesss, what's your point?

I am not lost.  In fact, I have never been more found. Allow me to share an excerpt from The Sivananda Companion to Yoga:

"To understand what yoga is all about you need to experience it for yourself.  At first glance it seems to be a little more than a series of strange physical postures, which keep the body lean and flexible.  But in time, anyone who continues with regular practice becomes aware of a subtle change in their approach to life - for, through perisistently toning and relaxing the body and stilling the mind, you begin to glimpse a state of inner peace which is your true nature.  It is this that constitutes the essence of yoga - this self-realization that we are all seeking, consciously or unconcsiously, and towards which we are all gradually evolving.  If you can bring your mind and thoughts under control, there is literally no limit to what you can do - since it is only our illusions and preconceptions that hold us back and prevent us from fulfilling ourselves."

Here I am thirteen days away from stepping onto a plane that is going to take me to the other side of the world.  For how long, really, I don't know.  People have said to me, "You must be excited?!"  My response is always, "Yes, so excited!"  Truth be told, I have looked back on these past four weeks and the emotions I have experienced are all along the spectrum.

I looked at my countdown at work and I couldn't believe how fast time was flying by; to me, time couldn't move fast enough.  The anticipation of adventures and experiences were in the forefront of my mind and I found myself uncontrollably giddy.  As the countdown decreased at a rapid pace, I began to worry about finding work in Australia and the possibility of this giant leap finding me flat on my face.  I know this wouldn't happen though; the opportunities are endless.  Excitement settled back in but reality was hitting and I realized that I needed to get some ducks in a row.  Banking, phones, packing, moving - there's not much time left, Trace!  Reluctantly but mindfully, I put on that dusty "J" hat (that usually falls to the wayside in the corner) to wrap of some final details.  Haha, however, as I write this and glance over, that list is still sitting on my bedside table and my room is an absolute disaster...ah well, it was a valiant effort!  I still have three full days before I move some things back to Merritt...tons of time :)

Now as I am about to embark on my new adventure in just two weeks, the reality has set in 100%.  I find myself on the brink of tears when I see someone.  Not necessarily tears of sadness but tears that tell me this person has touched my life and I will truly miss him or her.  However, in the past couple of days, I have made some connections with people who are going to the teacher training and my mind focuses back to the new, amazing people I am going to meet and those friends in Australia that I am going to see again.  So while I am leaving some incredible people, more will be coming into my life.  There is definitely something to be said for having friendships around the world.     

Ok now, let's get back to yoga - it really did change my life.  It answered questions in my mind that I didn't even know I had.  Non-profit, fundraising, giving back, and volunteering are all important aspects in my life so what was I doing in a public, corporate world?  I could only do so much to share my energy with 22,000 other people but it wasn't enough.  And I know not all corporations are like this but for me at this time, a bureaucratic environment is not what I want or need.

So why do I want to teach?  The answer is very easy.  I am a person of peace, kindness, compassion, courage, and passion.  I am always seeking ways to make a difference and the biggest difference I can make is aiding people to get to the point of self-realization.  I want others to experience what I have experienced.  Find their true nature.  Get a glimpse of inner peace.  Inner peace means outer peace.  John Lennon said it best: Imagine.

Imagine/Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic.  May 2009
 
For some further reading about the relationship between inner and outer peace, check out Life as a Human online magazine. Click here!