The Furry Guru of Yoga and Other Shenanigans

Tiger, the furry ruffian, knows how to take a seat! He often plops right down with the grace of a lion to groom his behind.

Did you know that the Sanskrit word for yoga "pose" is asana? One translation of the word asana is "seat."

I have been thinking about how life invites us to take a seat—life is a big adventure that we are called to even as we don't really know what might happen next. Some parts of the odyssey are amazing; we just have to stop and reflect for a moment to remember to enjoy how fantastic it is to go to the beach or hug a loved one. Other times this crazy adventure is so very hard and confusing. But all good stories have plot twists and times when the heroine enters into the deep, dark woods or faces great challenges. Even so, she is called to take a seat at the banquet table that is life.

Yoga helps us learn what it is to take a seat and be present for all of it. In a yoga practice we do poses that we like and also the poses that we don't like. We learn how to stay present for all of it, how to say no, and how to work with our own fear. In warrior pose, we stand tall with dignity and kindness. In child's pose, we curl into ourselves and embody surrender.

We can learn the same lessons from our animal friends. Tiger the cat doesn't apologize for being scared—his fur stands on end, and he dashes under the deck to hide. He isn't afraid to ask for what he wants, and he rests when he needs to. He is the ultimate maestro, having taken a seat in the middle of his life.

What supports you in being able to show up for the whole alive messiness of your life?

What does taking a seat look like for you?