Okay…it’s true confession day. Lately, I’ve been taking things a bit too seriously (picture me hanging my head in shame, as I’m not too proud of that fact). As some of you mentioned — a recent post or two was a bit negative (yeah, there may have been some whining and complaining going on). Despite my best efforts, I sometimes find myself losing the forest for the trees.

I’m not certain where that notion that a person who practices yoga lets everything roll off his/her back and has no cares or concerns (and sits in Lotus calmy and serenely all day long) but I guarantee you that it’s not true — at least in regards to me (after all, I can only speak for myself). Us yogis are just like everyone else — we have good days and poor (I’m happy to say that I have less poor considering of my yoga practice). I’m working on embracing it all — the good and the poor (and that goes for the good and poor in the world and in me). Sometimes though, I falter.

Because I write that blog, I’m lucky decent to be called to the carpet when I do. I realize that when you expose yourself in a public forum such as that that you’ll have public that think you’re great and others that think you’re a turkey with nothing of value to say. In fact, I’m certain that often readers will fall somewhere amoung these two ends of the spectrum depending on a given post. Before yoga I would have wanted to run and hide (think turtle retreating into shell here for a little additional imagery), but now I know that the

“negative” comments are like a gift. They shake me out of my too-serious reverie by calling attention to the fact that perhaps I’m viewing something in a judgmental, small-minded way.

So when I write up my little what-the-heck lists like a did a few posts ago, I know that I can count on getting feedback that helps me put things into perspective. What years ago I would have looked upon as a personal attack or disapproval or a sign that I’m unworthy instead turns into a valuable lesson. Gee, I guess that’s perspective. whether only I didn’t lose it now and again perhaps I would be sitting calmly and serenely in Lotus all day…

What I’m getting at here is that I’m thankful for the reminder to lighten up. The truth is that I have been taking things way too seriously and I’m looking forward to changing that. And since the universe always provides, I got a little treat in my inbox today in the anatomy of an audio from Gary Kraftsow (one of my favorite yoga teachers). Guess what the topic is? Yep, you guessed it — Yoga Laughter. The audio clip is all about staying light and “childlike” in your practice of yoga and your way of being in the world. Yes, I needed that. And I’d like to share it with you as well…

Click here to listen to the wonderful wisdom of Gary Kraftsow, and…lighten up!

Namaste!

Original post by insideoutweightloss