Where The Magic Happens

Being submerged in the yoga world, as a regular practitioner and as a teacher, I hear a lot of conversations around me about what yoga is, what yoga does, how you should do yoga, which style of yoga is the best, which style of yoga is the worst, and everything in between. But yoga is yoga..is yoga, which is.. yoga. Whether or not I am in a heated room, practicing vinyasa flow, taking a restorative approach in a yin class.. whether I am taking this person or that person’s class.. it all happens here, on my mat. My magic carpet ride.. and boy, is it bumpy..
 
My yoga mat has absorbed every intention I have offered up during a practice, and has convinced me that I have the power to become the very best version of myself if I choose to.

It has soaked up the tears I have poured out into it & the pain I have felt in my heart.. it has helped me accept what is and let go of what was, purifying my soul in the process.

It has reminded me over and over that I live a life abundantly blessed, and that gratitude is where joy can be found.

My yoga mat holds the quivers of my weakened spirit on the days when I don’t feel like I’m good enough. It reminds me that I am.

It holds me in child’s pose when I cannot muster the strength to press forward, and reassures me that the sweet embrace of the unwavering earth below is waiting to catch me when I’m ready to let go.

It has silently observed the friendships I've made practicing next to like-minded people, who open their hearts and minds, share their expressions of hope and strength, and give me sweaty hugs no matter what.

I have relaxed in bliss on my yoga mat. I have cried my eyes out. I have fallen to my knees, fought battles, found courage - I have found myself.

It is on my yoga mat that I learned how to breathe, to find peace in the present moment and savor every second that I am still breathing.

Yoga is yoga. And we shouldn’t judge others based on the style of yoga that they choose. 

Yoga transforms lives.. ALL of it.

If we are making a choice to consciously step onto our mat and let the process take place, we are exactly where we need to be.

Namaste.
Tammy Fodrey
Follow Tammy on Instagram @tammyfodrey & @nanoloveforlife 

Running & Yoga: Opposites Attract

For years I have found balance through running and yoga. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how opposite forces compliment each other. They are interconnected; dependent on each other to form a dynamic system where the whole is greater than all its parts. Just as a shadow cannot exist without light, we cannot exist without both masculine and feminine qualities. Our "yang" qualities that energize us to push, endure, strengthen and overcome are complimented by our "yin" qualities that soften and ground us.

As runners, we strap on our watches, we track our pace, we clock our time. We push through fatigue, and we endure. At the end of our run we feel that we have either succeeded or failed, because as runners we are goal-oriented: we strive to achieve a certain time, pace or mileage. This focus and determination is the reason why men and woman are able to train, run, and finish a marathon, and it is a force to be reckoned with.

As yogi’s, we approach our mat with stillness and awareness. We strive to stay in the moment, focusing on the breath and the subtle movements we make. At the end of our practice we feel light, calm, and sound in mind. As yogi’s we are soul-oriented, focusing on the journey rather than the outcome. Pushing the "re-set" button, stress and anxiety melt away.

Our yin and yang qualities are interdependent: they cannot exist without each other.

What a great reminder for us to love all of our parts, all of our qualities. Instead of getting down on ourselves for the way we feel, we should embrace the mood we are in. Be soft when we are called to be soft, push & endure when we are called to dig deep and find strength. 

On the surface, the runner and the yogi appear to be very different.  In the end, these opposing qualities cultivate the same intention within us: To reach our full potential and to become the very best version of who we are. To achieve balance and live a full, abundant life.

Keep running.. and keep practicing.


Tammy Fodrey & Biopharma