PPB May 2015

MAY 2015 •

PPB

• 67

Something extraordinary happened on

that ride. I finally relaxed and trusted in the

driver, who was laughing and asking question

after question about me and my life back in

America. As someone who tends to want to

always be in control, this was a test in letting

go. And once I let go of that sense of chaos

and just let it be, I was able to find an inner

peace and calm. I could not control what was

happening around me but could take owner-

ship of how it made me feel. Surrender and

accept became my mantra. Breathe in,

breathe out.

Ever wonder where the expression “take a

deep breath” originated? My guess would be

from a very insightful yogi. Paying attention

to your breath releases stress, removes clutter

from your mind and gives you a chance to

think. It also allows you to see more clearly

and focus on overcoming challenges and

obstacles. Now, I completely understand that

the closest many of you will get to practicing

yoga is wearing yoga pants. And I acknowl-

edge that yoga is not for everybody. However,

the message about the importance of breath

is where I believe everybody can benefit from

yogic principles.

An important life lesson that I brought

home with me from India was finding the

time to sit quietly. This quiet time, or medita-

tion, allows me to focus on how my body

takes in and releases the breath. I acknowl-

edge all other thoughts as they appear but

come back to the breath. Just 10 minutes a

day and I have the ability to be more clearly

focused and present. My yoga journey is still

so young, but I’m getting a handle on the

mind-body connection. Becoming more pres-

ent and genuinely living in the moment is

giving me the space to live more richly and

capture more nuances of the world, people

and situations around me. I have always had a

hard time sitting still, so I began my medita-

tion journey with a single minute. Once I

accomplished that in the course of a few

weeks, I added more time. With such a busy

life, I know how hard it is to find extra time,

so I strive for at least 10 minutes a day (usu-

ally right after my yoga practice or right

before I go to sleep) to meditate.

While in India, I met and practiced with

people from all over the world. About a

month after I returned home, one of my new

friends shared a YouTube movie showing res-

idents of Mysore being interviewed about

their thoughts on yoga. I was thrilled to dis-

cover that another yogi inspired by her pil-

grimage to Mysore made the film. As I

watched the video, I felt a little tug. It was

wonderful to see the streets I walked and the

places I frequented.

As I was contemplating the narrative, it

struck me that we all share the need to be

awakened and renewed. So what if you don’t

have a yoga mat? Our lives are so fast-paced

today that we rarely have time to slow down

and truly engage and reflect. We all live with

stress. The stress from our jobs, whether

internally generated or from a boss or col-

league. Stress from our clients. Stress from

family obligations. Yoga is not just about a

physical practice. It is so much more. Maybe,

start with gentle breathing at your desk to stir

up or uncover your creative energy. Enjoy the

deep breath in, and the subtle release of the

breath out. Now you got it.

Reflecting back on roughly four years of

coming to my yoga mat six days a week, I

believe in the transformative effect that a yoga

practice can have on our body and mind. At

the end of each session, we acknowledge the

teacher and the teacher within ourselves with

the word “Namaste.” Namaste loosely trans-

lated means, “The light within me sees the

light within you.” Let’s all light that light

within and find a way to renew and refresh.

Perhaps, I’ll even see you in Mysore, India.

Breathe in,

breathe

out.

Roni Wright, MAS, vice president of supplier The Book Company, based in

Delray Beach, Florida, is a 30-year veteran of the promotional products indus-

try. In her volunteer and leadership roles, she has served on the boards of

PPAI, PPEF, the Regional Association Council (RAC), PPAF and YESAA.

Wright shares her busy industry life with husband, Chris, and daughter,

Devon. They inspire and encourage her to be all that she can be.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Roni has been practicing yoga for the past four years. Here

she practices while visiting Lake Tahoe, Nevada. • Roni waits for the rickshaw driver with

her new “friend.” • Roni joins new friends, Jade and Susan, for lunch at a samosa stand. •

Roni with Nina, a local shop owner in Mysore.

201505_PersonalDevelopment_PPB 2013 4/15/15 9:06 AM Page 67