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The Embers

Monday, March 1, 2021

If you've ever been camping, you'll know that there's nothing more frustrating than trying to start a fire that doesn't want to start.

Getting a fire lit, after a period of being dormant, is uphill.  This holds true for a literal fire around a campsite, and the figurative fire, and drive, of a yoga practice.  As far as the physical side of yoga (Asana), even with a consistent practice, taking two days of rest on a weekend, can set you back a bit physically (as can the tin of butter cookies one eats while binge watching The Crown on Netflix).  You come back to your mat on Monday morning, as I am now, and question the value of the whole things...."why am I even doing this.....".

"Embers" are leftover from the previous night's fire, however.  So the fire starting tools are there (both in the literal fire and in the figurative fire).  With the starting tools/embers there, what's needed most often is patience with yourself; patience, and controlled breath (otherwise you'll freak out, give up, and tell your fellow campers, "I couldn't get it lit", as you sit down, and pop a Whiteclaw and pretend you're not all frustrated.

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