Today’s prompt: THIRTEEN
I have never seen a yoga mat like the one my teacher used Saturday at community outdoor yoga. (I’ve been doing yoga for nine years, so I’ve seen my share of mats.)
It was round rather than rectangular. It was similar to the one pictured below (and I think this is the brand too).
Source: Mandala Yoga Mat
For the record, she was also wearing a top over her yoga gear that was like a sheer overlay thing — it was ethereal and flowy — and I heard her telling someone that when it is uncinched, it is square. How odd, because it seemed to have no edges except the hem.
The mat fascinated me, though. When I talked to her (Rachel) afterwards, she said it is good for teaching, because when you are teaching yoga, you need to take many different positions and angles, and the round mat enables you to do that while also being protected from the floor.
It seemed like the kind of thing that would give a yogi thirteen options — so many more than a rectangular mat.
With a rectangular mat, if your arms or legs go too far afield from your core, there is no safety. Not that a cork floor in a yoga studio or the grass at outdoor yoga (or faux grass as it were where I have been going this month) is dangerous exactly, but it is a change, sometimes an unexpected one (and sometimes you collide with your neighbor.
It got me thinking that sometimes, in order to teach others, we need to ensure we have a solid cushion underneath us, emotionally or physically, that helps is feel empowered to share without hesitation.
What is something you need to share with someone else? How can you build the protective space you need to feel prepared to do so?
Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. Our instructions, via creator Kate Motaung: “Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.” (But I can’t resist spell checking, as you can imagine.)
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
I love how you managed to draw such a profound point from the shape of a yoga mat! That is so true- to teach or help others we have to make sure we have something solid to support and protect us too!
Thank you, Lesley! I was so intrigued by that mat (and its lessons).
Goodness. 1st, i didn’t know there were round mats…but her point sounds very helpful. And your application of a simple life moment turning profound was wonderful Paula. Thank you
There are round mats! I mean — it seems so obvious that there *could* be round mats but — I was still surprised and clearly inspired!
I like this post, Paula – especially the provocative questions you ask at the end. Maybe my solid place is just knowing I’m loved by God and have nothing to prove, to Him or anyone else. From that place of security I can reach out to others. Thanks for getting me thinking about this today.
Jeannie (#19 in the FMF linkup)
Thanks for your comments, Jeannie and I am glad they are leading you to look at things from a new angle. 🙂
My best friend since we were 15 was just diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. Since I’ve had breast cancer, I’m on solid ground to be able to talk to her about her cancer, but then, again… I’m not. As she said to me yesterday, “We’ll take it one day at a time.”
Oh Brenda — that is jarring to hear. I know you will be a tremendous resource and support to her, but that it also is so much to handle/process/take in. Sending much love to you both.