The people that save us from ourselves
The people who save us from ourselves
There will be some of you who are already recollecting friends, family or even strangers who have made an impact in your life with a phrase, or moment you’ve shared just after reading this title. They were meant to come into our lives when they did, and rescue you in that moment. Savour them.
I had a reality check recently during an adventure race, and a hero in a blue t-shirt saved me from myself. I stood at the start line with a foot injury, knowing cramp would ensue after 4km, with a lot of hills to go and technical tracks. I had a time in mind, having struggled through the previous year, and had built some pre-race anxiety in myself. 2km in, a 20 minute climb up and the cold air and anxiety hadn’t let me breathe. I had an asthma attack, and found myself on my hands and knees for 15 minutes with no air. There was literally no air.
A lot of competitors running past checked in with me, but one hero stopped. He waited with me until I could talk again. He walked with me as I headed off to the next Marshal station to withdraw. He chatted, I wobbled. I sat down several times more, he waited. We did one more climb together and he happily jogged off, knowing I’d make it to Woolshed creek.
He was so kind. He was calm. He didn’t push me or ask any probing questions, like if I thought I was going to die (it felt like it at times) (I am being dramatic!) So, having arrived at the Marshal station I felt lighter in myself….so, on I plodded.
His kindness swam through me, and every time I needed a break, I gave myself one. I stopped and chatted to others who were riding this same ghastly hill train as I was! I think I even enjoyed some of it!
I remember thinking to myself, as with all the intentions we set as a yoga class, I had let my ego have control, therefore I was out of control. Was I listening to my body? Was I achieving Sattva balance? If only I had looked after myself in the way that a total stranger had, I would have been far better off.
Sometimes just practising Yoga is the person that saves me from myself. When I get too caught up in ways to make the studio survive and ascertain some success, or I feed my family a crappy meal because I spent too long trying to do something with the website, or forget to kiss my husband goodbye because I was stressed about feeling guilty for leaving him again. I will eventually at some point slide onto my mat, into myself, find a few deep breaths, a few reflective moments and remind myself that all this business stuff isn’t the really real part of why I’ve chosen to open this studio. I mean, it’s real when the bills go out! But how much of it is important? Will I remember the moments the students have made a real connection with themselves over monthly targets? Damn straight, I will.
You see, Yoga isn’t supposed to make us stop doing all the ‘bad’ stuff; it’s supposed to help us balance it out. I don’t mind if you’re a prize winning pig hunter, or a 20 year long vegan, you’re internal journey is where you will count. And sometimes it takes a total stranger to not say very much at all, to remind you what a precious life force you are.
Hari Aum Tat Sat