Gregory Ormson’s forthcoming book, Yoga Song, will be published on International Yoga Day, one month from today, summer solstice – Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Comments from readers:
“Your articles interest our readers and that’s why we allocate pages every month in our magazine. Your view – and writing – of yoga practice is amazing.” Joe (sub-editor) Asana Journal
“These are fantastic words of motorcycles and yoga writing. Reality bleeds into fiction.” Russell Thorburn, Marquette, Michigan
“I’ve had many yoga teachers over the years and when I read your writing, I always learn something new: A new way of thinking about life after I leave the class; and to combine this with motorcycling is brilliant.” Kerry Verrier, Calgary, Alberta
From Yoga Song, Chapter 17, “Transforming the Emotional Body.”
Like many newcomers, when I started yoga I also thought it was about what I saw. I noticed people bending into forms that were — at first — perplexing. I also thought it was about what I heard yoga could do for my injuries; and at the beginning, that’s all I expected.
My yoga education was gradual. At first I practiced to feel better, then to learn good alignment, and then to accomplish more asanas. As a dedicated student, I paid attention to words from my teachers as they led me to correct placement of my feet, my hands, and my gaze. I followed their instructions leading me through breathing techniques and transitions. At the end, I lay down with other yogis in stillness, like a motorcycle resting on its jiffy-stand.
But right away, I sensed there was something happening well beyond what was taking place in my physical experience on the mat. I didn’t know it, but I was on my way to connect deeply to my full self, and at the same time, touch something much broader and deeper than myself. By a gradual knitting-together of mind, body, and spirit as one, I sensed good changes happening and decided to keep practicing yoga.
Yoga is a dynamic leader — both gentle and firm — that invited me to an active role from a passive one. When the yogi accepts this invitation, they wake to a transforming spiral of learning from the inside out.
What did you notice here? I welcome your thoughts.