Yoga “Practice”: Letting Go of “Perfection”
As the seasons change from summer to fall, the trees shed their leaves. They let go of bright, colorful life, in the hopes of rejuvenation. It is a reminder to me to let go of some of the pressure I place on myself: Let go of the things that no longer serve me so that I can make way for new life, for new energy.
One of the pressures I am trying to shed is the pressure of PERFECTION.
Instead, Yoga reminds me to embrace PRACTICE…
A year ago, I was a staunch candidate for the “I don’t do yoga” team.
In the past, I’ve gone through waves of yoga – on and off for a few months, maybe a pigeon’s pose after a long run. It had been years since my last actual class. I resisted yoga because of the pressure I felt in taking it: I would be in a room where others know me as a fitness instructor. My body would be scrutinized. I might fall. My hamstring flexibility is horrible. My right hip is as tight as a rubber band. I don’t know how to do handstands. I can barely even sit still for an hour. I would need to be PERFECT. If I couldn’t be 100%, what’s the point?
But a casual conversation with a fellow runner-come-yogi had me questioning the limitations I place on myself. “I can’t” isn’t something I say often. “I don’t” falls right in the same line.
So, on a dare to myself, I decided to try a yoga class.
Sure, this first time had to be on a day I felt rested and strong. I had to sweat an hour beforehand to let go of the “Am I burning enough calories?” pressure. I had to be sweaty, feel skinny, and even do a pre-class stretch to be extra flexible. I had to be as close to PERFECT as possible.
And so it began…
In the first few weeks, I still strived to be PERFECT. I kept up this rigorous pressure each week. And then, I started to let go. I started to shed some of those old, dead leaves.
Fast forward six months, to my current Thursday night PRACTICE.
Thursday night for me is what Friday night is for most people. It is the end of my week – my very physically-demanding week. Since Sunday, my 12-14 hours days have been filled with 2-3 hours of teaching fitness classes or my own workouts, cooking 7-8 hours a day, lugging around 40 pounds of groceries, delivering 50 pounds of food, trolling the markets for special ingredients, and even jumping into the occasional push-up challenge. By Thursday night, my body is beaten. Muscles ache, legs are swollen, hips and knees remind me of my age. I’m operating on a lack of sleep, slightly dehydrated, and my brain is fried. I am depleted. Far from PERFECT.
As I walk to Yoga PRACTICE, my body whimpers to me, reminding me of my limitations. So I remind my body that tonight, this practice is just that – PRACTICE.
I will take who I am, in this moment, with this tired and battered body, and I will do my best.
I will show up. I will breathe. I will enjoy my fellow yogis.
I will shed pressure. I will let go of control.
Tonight, I will simply do my best.
That’s all I can ask.
This is not PERFECTION. This is PRACTICE.
Katie Simmons is a Personal Chef based in Chicago. She specializes in creating delicious, healthy recipes for those with special dietary concerns like gluten-free, oil-free, plant-based, and low-residue. Outside of the kitchen, she is a Fitness Instructor for Equinox, with over 13 years experience in the fitness industry. For fun, she loves to travel, with her most recent travel involving 10 days of hiking in the Patagonia of Argentina and Chile. You can learn more about her and her recipes at: www.plants-rule.com
