Kevin Elander
"We shape the clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want" - Lao-Tzu
I came to yoga with a desire to enhance my love of fitness pursuits with an activity that would encourage me to actually "stretch". For as long as I can remember, I would run, ride, ski, lift weights… you name it, and promise myself I would stretch afterwards. It never seemed to happened and I was stiff, tired and sore much of the time, unable to even touch my toes.
When a good friend suggested I try a yoga class, I was hesitant. It did not seem to fit into my concept of self - athletic, competitive, busy. My early days of yoga were no different than any of my other athletic pursuits. I found Ashtanga Yoga, and it was a great workout. I could hold many of the poses that required strength and stamina. I fumbled through those requiring flexibility and grace.
Somehow, over time and with the direction of gifted instructors, it all changed. I stopped trying so hard to be as 'good' at the pose as the people around me. I started paying attention to the breath. I tried to move like a cat rather than a bull. I imagined moving gracefully through the practice, flowing from asana to asana with fluidity. It became a ballet rather than a mosh pit. The 'pots' became more steady and balanced, and what they held became cleaner and fresher. It was no longer about the 'pose', it had become about spirit, energy and peace.
Yoga has shaped who I am today. Through its graces, I have cultivated awareness, recognized the beauty of the world around me and built a life filled with Love. My mat has become a place to laugh, cry, sweat, work, rest, breathe, escape and accept. My practice has been the venue through which I cope with the injustices. The death of my mother, the disappointment of failures, the sadness of illness and turmoil suffered by close friends, the suffering of those affected by war and corrupt governments. It has also been a place to give thanks for the miracle of a new day, the birth of our daughter Grace, the love of my wife Melissa and the good fortune of being surrounded by an amazing family and wonderful friends.
Oh, and it's fun. Where else can a grown adult make animal shapes on a rubber mat in public?
80% of success is showing up. - Woody Allen
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Kevin Elander is also a licensed Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He operates a clinic space at Yoga Mandala. For more information call Kevin at 703-6352 or click here to visit Kevin's Acupuncture and Herbology website.
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