Manduka International Site

May 17th, 2011

#Practice Clarity

I recently took a break from my Manduka. It didn't do anything wrong. It didn't treat me badly, or not take me to expensive dinners. I was feeling burnt out, and found it very hard to be on my mat or in a yoga studio.

I remember being in relationships where my partner suggested we take a break. I would kick and scream, hearing that cliche "the break comes before the breakup" resonating in my ear.

Reluctantly, I took a couple of days off of my asana practice(the longest I had been off my mat in years.) I ate pizza, watched movies, and spent time with my loved ones. What I realized was that in several ways I was hiding from myself and my life off my black mat. I was resting in what had always felt comfortable for me, doing what was easy, not taking a risks. But just like in an asana, growth comes from stepping out of our comfort zone and moving towards our edge.

I am happily now back on my Manduka. We didn't break up, we just needed some space. Our time apart enabled me to embrace my life and practice with newfound passion and vision. I am more present in my life, and my practice is deeper than it was before. Taking a break isn't necessarily the end, but can be a new beginning. In the space, in those pauses in between, we can see more clearly and move forward powerfully.

My Manduka helps me #practice clarity. What does your Manduka help you #practice?

Here's how some others are powerfully #practicing:

Teamstretchyoga
"I #practice perseverance. I #practice moment to moment. I #practice service. I #practice Love. I #practice on my Manduka!"

Eunice_cu
"@MandukaYoga helps me practice stillness........"

Pinmoneygirl
"I make it a point to #practice poses that scare me."

Lisa Boise
"I laugh on it. I cry on it. I sweat on it. (Boy! Do I sweat on it!) I find peace on it. I work through anger and frustrations on it. On occasions I ignore it. I stretch on it. I pray on it. I jump on it. I use it and abuse it. And every time I step on it, I feel a welcoming energy from it. My soul can be free on my mat."

Stela Balaban
"The space created each time I unfold my Manduka becomes a safe place, a quiet place, a peaceful place, where there's no judgement and no expectations. And then the fun can begin."

EmilySaurette
"Dear Soul Mat, thank you for being so steady when I felt like breaking -you are my bestfriend."