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In this column I intend to share a
glimpse of my yoga journey and pilgrim-
age to India, and reveal how my practice
has significantly improved my overall
well-being. Although quite over-
whelmed initially, my time away allowed
me to gain a deeper appreciation of my
yoga practice, develop a love of India
while in the Mysore community and
take time to live fully in the moment.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Since my return, I’ve been asked
numerous questions about my journey
and yoga in general. One that comes up
most frequently is how yoga can help
change how you feel about yourself and
others. I can only speak from personal
experience and what I’ve learned from
others who practice with me. From my
perspective and daily practice, I can truly
say the impact of yoga has been transfor-
mational. It has helped me become more
focused and alert. Residing in the present,
I am more engaged with people, activities
and work. I also believe I’ve become more
grounded, more humble, more relaxed
and more patient. Other practitioners
echo my thoughts. How cool is that?
The practice of yoga is a process, not
a quest for perfection, and I now have
the tools to keep me headed in the
direction I need and want to go. As I
spotlighted in the title of this piece, yoga
is so much about your breath, and this
purposeful breathing actually calms my
mind. In concert with the physical prac-
tice, the movement and breath also
cleanse the body. The meditation, for
example, during my practice helps clear
away the clutter and provides more
space so I can accomplish what I need
for my family and for my career.
I’m often surprised by the expecta-
tions people have of a yoga practice.
Don’t be fooled; yoga is not just about
the postures or twisting like a pretzel. It
is a path, a union of mind and body, and
a way to assist the brain to let go of the
constant chatter. Although the more
T WAS 5 AM.
Bundled up on a chilly December
morning with my flashlight in hand, I began my one-
mile walk to the shala (the authentic name for a mod-
ern-day yoga studio). However, this shala was not just any shala,
but the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Institute in Mysore, India.
That’s right, the country of India. As I nervously headed for my
first practice, all I could think about was how I ended up half-
way around the world, away from friends, family and work, to
begin a month-long yoga pilgrimage.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
I
BREATHE IN,
BREATHE OUT
WHAT YOGA HAS TO OFFER US ALL
BY RONI S. WRIGHT, MAS
MAY 2015 •
PPB
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THINK
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