Yoga off the Mat

My family came to visit this weekend and as we were talking about my busy schedule and how excited we were about the upcoming events and watching the universe work things out this topic came up... Off the Mat into the World, not just the group I'm training with next week but a true life expression of taking yoga principles off the mat and truly into the world.

I haven't had a lot of time to be on my mat lately, working 10 hour shifts, planning a move, building a relationship, planning fundraisers for the OTM Seva Challenge for Haiti, finishing up the work for my 200 level training and prepping for the 500 in the fall... where is the time for yoga mat work?

Sure I could get up earlier or stay up later to get my practice in, and I do cherish those moments when I'm teaching that I can move through a pose or two between instructions, however, I look at this entire segment of my life as movement on my mat. Let the world be my mat!

I think in those busy times of your life when you can't get on your mat like you want to you can still practice yoga. Meditation on changing the world each and everyday, remembering my breath through each movement or asana have you. When I look at the last few months of my life from this prospective it brings taking yoga Off the Mat and Into the World a new meaning.

I hope that this concept is helpful for some of you who sometimes feel that they need to get on the mat more or they aren't being a good yogi, well step back and put your life into prospective, are you able to keep the yogic principles in mind when the world get hectic. Live the life and enjoy the physical asana each time you can, but in the meantime, appreciate the things life throws your way and be mindful of the meditation that walks with you through life.

Take your yoga Off the Mat, and Into the World, literally!