By Parvati (Sharon Wobker)
Originally published September 18, 2020
A year ago, the Yasodhara Yoga Center teachers participated in a strategic planning process. We were asked questions about our Center such as: What is important? What is core? What is essential? We explored: What is the Center? Is it our teachings, the teachers, the students, the studio, sacred space? Is it a building? We asked, What if the Center closed? Little did we know then, what was to come, and how important this planning turned out to be, and that it would be a great support as the Pandemic changed everything.
We found that what’s essential is the teachings, the practices, inspiration, teachers living the practice, and our connection, among ourselves, with students, and others. It’s not a physical space. The Center did close! There was no teaching, no Sunday Satsangs, no classes to take, not even entering the studio. For me, this was the place I had made my second home for years. I was left with a deep sense of loss.
Human beings are social creatures and to survive we need connection with others. The Pandemic makes us face our survival and security. We need to support each other. Yoga literally means to unite that which is separate, within ourselves, and from others. With so much separation in the world right now, we need Yoga more than ever.
I learned, through this time, that it’s all about connection. I was challenged to hold onto that when events were creating separation. It was important to find the connection within myself, on my own. Connecting with others supported me during the challenges and changes. Now my goal is to bring my learning forward and find new ways to “socially connect” while “physically distanced” through my activities, and my yoga.
“In this gift of life we have been given the opportunity to learn. All of us define the meaning of life through our own experience. Not just through theory, not through someone else’s experience, but through our own understanding…Our questions and problems can become teachings as we face our challenges. We have to live life to find out, and the tools of yoga can help.”
~ Swami Radhananda, Living the Practice
Take a few moments to connect to that place of inner knowing. Sit quietly, breathe and relax. Or you might choose to enter into a Warrior pose.
Ask yourself:
- What have I learned during this time of challenge and change?
- What do I want to bring forward from my experience?