Inner and Outer Being

The elegant klutz (referring to myself in third person) is a yoga teacher. Luckily, this is one area in my life where the elegant characteristic overpowers the klutziness. Not to say that I don't have times of self-doubt, as I'm sure many yoga teachers and other businesses feel as well, but teaching yoga is a gift. That may sounds utterly corny, but it's my truth. I feel happiest and that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be when I'm teaching yoga and/or dancing.
My current 300 hr yoga teacher is a wonderful and beloved woman named Shiva Rea who created the form of yoga known as Prana Flow.
shivarea.com
Shiva Rea comes from a tantric background and has led me to investigate more about the roots of tantric yoga. In this search I'm currently reading a book called "Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti: Secrets of Mantra, Deities, and Meditation" by Dr. David Frawley.

I'm still in the beginning of the book (what I refer to as within the first 100 pages). In this beginning stage, Dr. Frawley discusses the difference between the inner study of yoga Antar Yoga versus the outer study of yoga Bahir Yoga. So far the book emphasizes the importance of Antar Yoga by recognizing opposites within oneself (i.e. the masculine-Shiva and feminine-Shakti elements within each of us) through the use of mantra, deities, and meditation. After much personal and group study with my 200 hr teachers (Jenny Jared and Michael Gilbert) I do believe that yoga is a language of opposites. Dr. Frawley discusses the fact that many westerners place a larger focus on the Bahir Yoga or outer practices of yoga such as the physical practice (asana). As a westerner, I would have to agree with Dr. Frawley that the physical practice of yoga is emphasized in the west. In fact to many westerners yoga is solely the physical practice. Although I love the physical practice of yoga, it is important and I'm thankful to be reminded of the inner practice. So, perhaps if you're reading this blog take five minutes after finishing this entry to try your own inner practice: meditation, a mantra, even lying in your living room in constructive rest pose. If you're looking for inspiration, here is one of my favorite mantras:
So Hum
Inhale on "So"
Exhale on "Hum"
The mantra translates to "I am that."
We're all busy but five minutes out of the day won't kill anyone. In fact, it might even clear your mind and prevent your own klutziness.
This will never be the case for me. Klutziness is in my DNA.
A klutzy memento from dinner last night:

Enjoy your five minutes time for your inner being :)