Yoga in Everyday Life – Lanita Varshell

Yoga is Union

The other day, as I was working on my credit card bills, I realized I had questions on one of my accounts and needed to speak to someone directly. In the past, just to call a credit card company would bring up frustrations, but my years of yoga practice have taught me that these little projects that I once used to loathe can now be turned into “meditations in action.”

I have also learned over the years that while teaching is easy for me, keeping up with the paperwork is not. Having patience with all the little details of life that seem to take forever to complete - learning to surrender to these things, and be present with each piece of paper or each little project, mindfully present, not frustratedly presently - this is often times my most spiritual work.

So, I called the 800 number and spoke with a very nice, helpful young man. When he asked what kind of a business I had, I told him a yoga center. He thought that was “super cool”, and asked what I thought about Transcendental Meditation. I told him that it was great practice, but I also advised him to consider a well rounded, balanced yoga practice that included asana, meditation, breathing, and life-style.

He thanked me for that, saying that he had tried Bikram-style yoga for a couple of months, but it had really burned him out. He was an athlete, and loved the physical activity, but was put off by the heat and yelling.

Once again, I talked about balance, and asked where he lived. He said Tempe, Arizona. I suggested that he try Anusara Yoga in Scottsdale, that it was an active but joyful practice, and that it might fit his needs.

He was very appreciative, and then mentioned something about wishing his girlfriend would join him, but how intimidated she was about walking into a studio in Scottsdale with all those “Scottsdale bodies.” I asked if she was plus size, and he said yes. I mentioned how beautiful plus size bodies can be if they just accept themselves and take care of their body just as it is today. He quickly agreed, and expressed how much he wished she would understand that. I gave him my website address, and urged him to get her to go on it and find out about me, and sign up to be on my eNews. I told him that I teach sometimes in Scottsdale, training teachers and working with new students. He was very happy, and thanked me for this information. We both got off the phone knowing we had experienced a "holy encounter" and that it all began by simply being polite and present with each other.

There are so many things like this that can happen every week, perhaps even everyday, if we just allow ourselves to stay in the present moment. In those brief moments interacting with this young man, I could feel his desire to learn more about yoga, but not knowing how to proceed. I could feel his concern for his girlfriend, and his frustration with not knowing how to help her. It felt so good to share a bit of my experience with him, and to hold out a branch of hope for his girlfriend.

This is Yoga. Yoga is so much more than just an asana practice. Yoga is union, with ourselves, with others, with the world. This “holy encounter” made my day.

Don't Forget: Lanita will return to the Feathered Pipe Ranch this summer, Sept. 1 - 7th for the retreat, "We are Limitless: A Gentle Way Yoga Retreat." Join us & bring a friend along who hasn't been to the Ranch in the last two years and receive a $100 (Each) "Bring a Friend" Discount! As well, the Feathered Pipe Community Discount Applies!

Lanita Varshell is the owner of A Gentle Way Yoga & Joyful Movement Center in San Diego (La Mesa) California, and is the founder of “Meditation in Movement Style ® Gentle Yoga. She has been interviewed in several magazines about her plus-size journey through yoga, including Yoga Journal, and Bella Online. She has produced a Gentle Yoga class CD, is working on her first books and DVD’s, and leads yearly Gentle Yoga Retreats in California and throughout the US. She trains students and certified yoga teachers in her Gentle Yoga, Restorative, and Adaptive Yoga methods. To find out more about Lanita and her incredible work visit: www.agentleway.com.

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