Dear 18 year old me, Yoga will help but…
Dear 18 year old Madi, you’re about to find Yoga. You will find it through many desperate google searches that go something like… “How can I be happy with myself and my life”?
Yoga will be something that comes up (and good on google for such a brilliant suggestion). However, as the future version of you I would love to let you know that what you’ll first see as ‘Yoga’ is not actually Yoga because modern people are confused about what Yoga actually IS.
You’ll see pretty girls on beaches teaching ‘Yoga’ which honestly just looks like an excuse to show off their flexibility. You will do some of these videos and become incredibly frustrated that you can’t do what she is doing, you’ll turn the class off in a huff and decide you hate Yoga.
It is VERY important that you don’t walk away from Yoga.
It saved you.
There are people out their with very limited training or even just lacking knowledge of Yoga as a philosophy. Perhaps they don’t care about the depth of Yoga or perhaps it is ignorance (not really knowing any better). Either way, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that poor demonstration of an ancient science of the mind is ‘Yoga’.
Here’s what you need to know:
Yoga is a science of the mind
The word Yoga means Union (it’s for all)
The goal of Yoga is the bring peace and stillness to the mind (not to do a split)
Yoga postures (asana) are only one small part of a wide system, you must learn the other parts of Yoga or it will not bring you the peace or happiness you crave
Yoga is made to fit you, not the other way around (you don’t have to fit into Yoga, Yoga fits to you)
Find yourself a good teacher who has studied well and cares about the complete system of Yoga.
If you ever need books, studios or retreat centres that I know you’d love - you know where to reach me.
with love and hope,
From Madison, to 18 year old Madi x
