quality > quantity.
In the first few years of my yoga practice, I devoured as many classes and workshops as I could. (If I recall correctly, after I took my very first yoga class, I went back every single day that week!) I immediately aspired to master the most challenging poses immediately - headstand, handstand, arm balances - despite my embarrassing lack of basic strength and form. I practiced with a wide variety of big names in a number of different styles: Classical Hatha Yoga with Dharma Mittra, Vinyasa Flow with Seane Corn, Power Yoga with Baron Baptiste, Ashtanga Yoga with Danny Paradise, Prana Flow with Shiva Rea. I read countless books on yogic philosophy and anatomy. I completed yoga teacher training. I had big dreams of opening my own yoga studio and jetsetting around the world. I wanted it all, and I wanted it right now. Even when I started blogging and writing about yoga, I would post every single day, without fail, sometimes scrambling at the last minute to come up with a quote or video just to have something to show for myself. Eventually yoga practice stopped being exciting, and writing became more of a chore.
For so long, I had been committed to this “quantity over quality” approach that left me feeling burnt out and depleted. Simply put, I let my ego get in the way - my desire to be the best and to shine the brightest had proven itself completely unsustainable. Back in December I wrote about plateauing, about allowing yourself time to stop and let things soak in. This year, I’m slowly coming to the realization that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is go back to the basics. To breathe slowly and deeply, with integrity and grace. To surround yourself with a handful of people who truly nurture and support you rather than maintain a number of insignificant friendships and relationships. To live, and write, and teach, and practice directly from the heart.
There is the most delicious interplay between what we put out into the world and what we receive. Committing to quality is about making a choice to always be at your best (even when you’re not). And when we are always living with intention, trying our hardest, and embodying a sense of quality, we are consciously creating the capacity to receive and foster the most wonderful, nurturing experiences.
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