Today was an interesting and lovely day. It began early, in a park in Sacramento, with a couple of hundred yogis, and a handful of teachers, invoking the 108 sun salutations. We practiced for a good cause, for Yoga Aid and the Africa Yoga Project. For as much as we teachers and yogis talk about service, I think that this is easier said than done in many cases, as we all need to survive, make a viable living, and promote ourselves and our studios. In this case, so much effort and love was given away today, for a greater cause than any one of the people involved could have imagined on their own. The notion of giving selflessly, without a tangible outcome (other than the dollars raised) was apparent. It is sometimes hard to appreciate the reality of what we do for others, because we are not generally connected to outcome, particularly when those benefiting from our efforts are continents away. Yet we practiced, we enjoyed the day, we danced, breathed, and did all the usual things we do here from the comforts of our mats, so that others might even HAVE a mat, or a place to practice this yoga.
From there, I went to a staff meeting, where, not surprisingly, the very topic (is anything a 'coincidence' really?) of giving back to the community, and outreach in general, was one of the main topics. I myself have been the recipient of countless acts of seen and unseen generosity, and know that in these times, even here in the United States, there are those in our community at large who struggle, and need help. Maybe it's the coming of the holidays, when we tend to reflect upon such things more, but whatever the reason, I am grateful for today, for the opportunity to serve -- in deed, not just in theory; to practice in community, with friends and strangers, for it's own sake; to feel the essential reason AGAIN, that brought me to the mat -- and to the work I love.
Our relationship to this practice is ever-evolving, never static. It has its challenging days, and its glorious days. It bleeds me dry, and sustains me again and again. Mostly, it never ends, and gives me hope even in the darkest times. It is raw, honest, painful, lovely, revealing, nurturing -- it is life.
