I was 40 years old when I suddenly made the decision to take my health seriously. I had become extremely thin and lacked strength and stamina. I tried various sports activities, but I failed miserably because I couldn’t handle the pain. I eventually gave up.
Finally, I discovered yoga. However, after a few weeks, it became too intense for me, and I ended up quitting.
That’s when I came across an article about a former model who had been diagnosed with cancer and had discovered yoga as part of her therapy. She shared her experience with yoga and how challenging it was for her to achieve seemingly easy poses. She emphasized that the true meaning of yoga is doing something for yourself, with yourself as your only competitor. It requires immense patience and dedication. It might take days, weeks, or even years to perfect a pose. Celebrate any progress, no matter how small, and appreciate even a 0.1 mm improvement from one day to the next.
I took her advice to heart, and since then, there has been no turning back. I no longer care about what others think of me. I simply go to the yoga studio, lay out my mat, and it becomes a personal journey between me and my mat. Soon, I began to see real and visible improvements. Finally, I decided it was time for the next step.
Coming from a background in learning and development, I consider it an occupational hazard to deeply understand the mechanics of almost everything. Professionally, learning how to learn is what I do, and it naturally spills over into my personal life as well.
After contemplating for over a year, I finally took the leap of faith and enrolled in an intensive month-long yoga course to deepen and discipline my practice. I felt extremely anxious and apprehensive as I embarked on this journey to the mountains. However, with the support and blessings of my family, I began my adventure. Looking back now, I believe it was the best decision of my life.
The program was incredibly intense for someone like me who wasn’t accustomed to much physical activity. Moreover, it was difficult and challenging to let go of the fear of failure and getting hurt. However, I realized that it was not impossible, and that in itself was a valuable lesson.
I encountered beautiful, compassionate, and kind souls during my journey who treated me like family despite not being blood-related. It was an emotional experience but worth every moment. It was a true spiritual lesson in progress, allowing me to evolve not just my mind and body, but also my soul.
I went through many self-realizations and experienced personal changes that are difficult to put into words. However, it all comes down to my favorite quote:
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
Bhagawat Gita
My personal journey was challenging both mentally and physically, but it’s only the beginning. Yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to embark on a journey of self-exploration.
The journey has brought me to here.