Distractions in Down Dog

My pastor often says a change of place plus a change of pace equals a change of perspective. I have been reflecting on this maxim a great deal this week, and seeing it demonstrated over and again.

This morning I worked with a long-time private client who recently moved. We used to practice in the serenity of a sun-filled room in his guest house, but in the new home, we practice right outside the kitchen - or as he calls it, "Grand Central Station." The once reliably tranquil environment is now punctuated by the patter of small footsteps and visitors of the two- and four-legged variety, including a small dog, who insists on sharing the mat throughout our sessions. We stop and start as often as is necessary and alternately tune out the noise and smile at the faces peeking around the corner.

It has been instructive to witness these "distractions" inspiring a truly beautiful expression of yoga. Modifying a pose to accommodate a furry friend or pausing to give a hug to a still-drowsy little girl helps enrich the exercise. We practice yoga not to demonstrate feats of strength or perfect a pose in isolation; instead, our practice on the mat gives us an opportunity to prepare to respond to what we encounter in the world around us.

As you go through your day today, can you try to see interruptions as opportunities? Can you allow distractions to lead you to a new point of view?

Share your experiences in the comments section below.

---