Leaving the Labels Behind

The thing I starting noticing lately with myself and others around me is that we are constantly labeling and classifying the things in our lives. Whether it being a person, an event, a relationship, or even how well we perform a yoga pose. We create this idea in our head of what is right and what is wrong, and what is good and what is bad. By doing this, we have created this self-limiting box. We have put in place these self-imposed limitations and judgements that we apply in our everyday lives.

As a yoga teacher, I see students all the time pass judgement on themselves during class. They labeled their class as being ‘bad’ because they struggled with their balance, or they had to take rest during the class, or their pose did not have the best alignment or greatest depth. There are all these judgements that come up because they have this idea that they have built up for themselves. I too have been guilty of doing this in the past. But as my yoga practice began to grow and evolve I have learned to let go of these limitations. I try not to put any labels on my practice and instead just take it for what it is. It is neither good or bad, it just is. This is how my body is feeling, this is what my body is capable of doing in this present moment, and this is where I am at right now. Our body and our mind will be constantly changing at every moment, and this will be reflected in our class. Wherever you are, that is okay. Stay present, leave the judgement, and accept yourself. 

I have found this concept that I first learned on my mat can also be applied to my everyday life. I have specially noticed it in my relationships, whether it involving my friends, family, co-workers, dating life, etc. It can be imbedded in any form or type of relationship. I learned to let go of society’s classifications of what is proper and what is not. I believe that every relationship with an individual is unique in its own way and by not imposing barriers we allow growth in whatever form that it may be. I have found that my dealings with other people come more fluid and more natural. As I apply this idea to myself and my dealings I have found to be more accepting and more understanding with other people’s choices as well.