Patience for the Opening

Baddha Konasana 

When I first started yoga I was easily frustrated when instructed into a bind or a seated forward-fold. My body just did not want to cooperate and I would sit in a 'slight' bend—as far as my hamstrings would allow—and watch as the yogi beside me slowly lowered their forehead towards their mat for an intimate moment. The possibility that I would ever be capable of getting that deep in a pose seemed unachievable. 

My teacher would ease the frustration with reminders to use my breath and breathe into the areas that were tight. The need to go deep in the pose vanished as I focused on my breath and found ease and enjoyment in the process of finding more of an opening in my body. "Be patient for the opening," my teacher would say, "don't force it."

From cane reeds, sugar.

From a worm's cocoon, silk.

Be patient if you can, and from sour

grapes will come something sweet.~Rumi

Whether it's deepening your experience in a pose or inviting good things into your life—by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities. Here's to sweet openings and realizing we are capable of reaching seemingly unachievable goals!