Hi everyone,
Happy Inauguration Day! I, along with many of you I’m sure, found today’s events very moving. No matter what one’s political affiliation may be, we can agree that it was a historic day for America and the rest of the world. I feel so fortunate to have experienced such positive history in the making, albeit by watching it on television and not live in DC. But it was a special pleasure to have shared the experience with my friends at Gilda’s Club after our morning tai chi class.
In his speech, President Obama (and later Ret. General Colin Powell in a separate televised interview) spoke about how we all can serve the country and one another. I immediately thought about yoga philosophy, and how being a yogi is so much more than practicing the asana (physical poses) or breathing exercises (pranayama). In yoga, being of service is one of the main principles. In fact, one type of yoga is all about service: karma yoga. Additionally, in yoga class we often offer the energetic or spiritual benefits of our physical practice to something or someone outside of ourselves. In that way, we can also serve. So, I hope the new administration will help to inspire us to be of service in whatever unique way it manifests for each of us. Let us practice yoga together with that intention in mind. And know that when we serve others, we are also simultaneously helping ourselves.
