Insta-Yogi?

When I began my practice, I didn't intend on posting everything about it on social media. It all began with 30 days of yoga. That initial post about it was just my excitement for returning to something I always liked but never considered it a part of my life. But, I realized making it public held me accountable. I wasn't about to start something and not finish it, especially when I told the world I was going to do it. Thirty days became a practice, practice became joining teacher training, and now here I am. Seeing other yogis on social media and made me even more inspired. To see what my body was capable of and to explore my mental capabilities became that much more appealing. I didn't realize that a year and a half later I would still be just as inspired by my practice as I did that very first day on my mat.

Social media gets a lot of shit. And believe it or not, it happens in the yoga world, also. I've seen things referring to  "insta-yogis", people who brag about their practice and don't really embrace the yoga lifestyle. I've also read about how posting all of these difficult postures and picturesque landscapes are just "showing off". That it creates an impossible ideal for beginner yogis or people who don't know much about the practice. In a way, I see that. It's just like seeing a bikini model that has been photoshopped and painted to look a certain way. The impact that that has on someone who might look at that and feel like they need to look just like that can be devastating on one's self-esteem.

 If I could send one message to people who have never tried yoga or who are  just starting their practice, it would be this: poses and postures (asana) are just one part of yoga. There is so much more to it than that.  When you see these photos of things that just look too difficult to do, it has come from a lot of practice and dedication. Doing a handstand doesn't make you a better yogi than the person who only meditates. Posing in front of a waterfall doesn't make you a better yogi than the yogi who practices at home. Wearing overly priced leggings on an overly priced may doesn't make you a better yogi than the one who practices in their sweats on the ground. Yoga is so much more than that it is a lifestyle and a way of life. I hope that what you see will inspire you and give you something to look forward to.

Rather than be discouraged, I feel motivated when I see those photos. When I read about those yogis and their journey, I feel like there is people out there just like me. When I post about my practice, I do not do it for attention or for likes. In fact, I am more then flattered when somebody makes a nice comment or tells me that they want to try yoga, too. Taping and photographing my practice helps me document how far I've come. It shows me what I could work on, and where I want to be. This practice is so beautiful and has brought so much positivity to my life, I am excited to share it with everyone willing to let me. So if posting about it makes me an "insta-yogi", then so be it.