WoYoPracMo | Day 16 Self-Mastery

I felt like quitting my studio at one time because B. left and there was no one else certified to teach Anusara Yoga. I guess I was caught up with the cult of my teacher.

But along the way I did learn the lesson on accepting changes. Teachers who inspire and whom you connect with are hard to find, but they will come and they will go. Our practice is ours alone, which is why it is so important to develop a personal home practice.

If we can find the motivation within ourselves to practice everyday at home, we are set for life.

Not that a teacher is a bad thing. It's wonderful to have someone experienced to guide us. But there was something I read once, where the Buddha said, “Don’t mistake the finger for the moon.” The teacher, and the teachings, are only the finger that points to the moon. Do not mistake the finger for the moon itself. Instead, one has to see the moon with one's own eyes.

I thought that was a great lesson on the importance of self-mastery, and taking responsibility for our spiritual practice.

It is something I have also learned from WoYoPracMo, reading the trials and tribulations of everyone who have posted and committed to the 30 days practice. For me, on the days I skip class, I had to improvise a few home practices either through DVDs or just going with what feels right at that moment. I used to think I couldn't do home practice, that I didn't know enough about yoga to do proper sequencing, that I always cheat by skipping the poses I hate most. But since WoYoPracMo, I have come to believe it's possible for me to develop a regular home practice.

So for today, I skipped class. I came home to practice instead.

Namaste.