"Being yoga" is easy when seeking out peaceful and conducive environments like a yoga studio or out in nature's solitude. But "being yoga" means just that, to BE yogic in ANY environment.
I recently got back from vacation in San Francisco and Redwood City visiting friends, sightseeing and getting out of the SW Florida heat. Our activities ranged from hiking in the Redwood forests, wine tasting in Napa, experiencing the Gay Pride Parade to nightclubbing. During this vacation week I did very little yoga practice or working out at all. Except for a lot of walking, I purposely decided to NOT try to have a daily workout since when traveling with others, you have to stick to the plan which involves everybody and not just oneself.
THAT is the challenge.
My close friends had been scheduled to perform this night at a standing room only nightclub in San Francisco. Basically there was a bar and a stage and that was all. I never really liked nightclubs. There are too many people, mostly drunk, spilling their alcohol on you and the music is usually far too loud to have a conversation let alone hearing each other at all. This is surely the appeal for many club frequenters. But yoga and Buddhism have taught me not to judge, so for this night I would be flexible and introspective. If something bothered me I would look inside and usually find an ego standing there, which I can work with. I would not be bothered by spillage of which there was plenty... everything is washable anyway. And most importantly I would be there for my friends, to support and cheer for them until my throat was sore. I ended up having one of the best nights ever and didn't even use my earplugs.
So "being yoga" is a constant process, a moment by moment practice of letting the ego go and being there for others. As I continue my practice, I realize that that is where true happiness resides. But BEWARE, the nightclub is no place for SAVASANA.
