Yoga

One of my biggest joys in life, apart from my family, is to attend my yoga shala for a direct discourse with God. Sounds tricky but actually it isn't and I am of the firm belief and understanding that God is listening to me these days. This talking to and from the big guy mostly leaves me with feelings of utter bliss.

Now bliss is something to hold dear and protect in this modern world of terrorism and basically just plain unbelieving people. I do hold firm and true and most of the time this holds me in fairly good stead. Sometimes though, it can be abit counterproductive.

When I am at my peak of bliss and joy in the yoga shala I do look around the room and feel true love for all my fellow yogis. Be they big or small, man or woman, fat or thin. Doesn't matter, I love that whole lot of them. It is during these love ins that I need to keep clear. Love felt during yoga class is pure and true, for sure, but does not translate to love as we mostly choose to view it. Beware the yoga crush!!!!

Yoga crushes are one of lifes little mysteries and I have only been afflicted twice so far on this yogic path but twice is enough to test ones resolve. Open hearted actions are worthy and fundamentally good. But keep your eyes on the prize ladies and gentlemen and love your nearest and dearest and not the guy across the room. If you are free and single it is all good and go for your life but still really, I would proceed with caution.

Yoga, if practiced correctly, opens the heart and renews the spirit, leaving the practitioner with utter joyous feelings and tranquility. For me, as I am a visual person, nearing the end of a long class, full of united energy and open hearts, nearly everyone in the class starts to look good. Extremely good indeed.

Now after class I usually leave after a few chats with the yogis and head home to the family. They receive my glad tidings and the day flows ahead from here full of love and understanding. Just what I thank yoga for, peace of mind for myself and family. Wonderful.

It has only been during a retreat that I have fallen prey to the yoga crush. Twice a day yoga contact on a continuing daily basis is very hard to resist. First afflication was during a 4 day, twice a day retreat. Said crushee was very lovely guy. Open hearted. Watch out!! Day 3 proved to be breaking point for me. I am not a crush type of girl so it was surprising to myself quite frankly. I decided to keep my eyes down and try and not look at him any more for the rest of the retreat. Whenever I did chance a look up, boom!! There they were, ready to draw me in.

I would never risk what I have at home here, beautiful husband and 2 totally delightful children. Never risk what I hold so precious and true. But still I was finding it hard to keep my eyes off. Tricky. My advice to other crush afflictees is to lay low and no contact at all for a few days and it will calm down. Yoga crushes are just that. Not real, just a look at someones energy that is so open and spirited after and during yoga class that you see the beauty of that person very close up.

Concentrate on opening your heart and give no attention to the physical attraction that is trying to make you listen. My close girlfriend also had a bad case of the yoga crush recently and confided in me her problem. Stay cool and no contact, was my advice. Hearts are open in this realm and we can get confused as to whom and what we are attracted to.

The connection that can be made is something worth working towards. Crushes come and go but an open hearted friendship with someone of the opposite sex is something that is fairly rare today. I suggest focusing on the friendship and allowing the yoga to work its magic here.

Yoga is a tool for allowing the opening of the heart and sincere and true friendships can develop over time. Practicing yoga with a friend over time is a worthy pursuit and actually is a magical gift to each party. Move past the crush, it is just that. Nothing to take seriously and live the love you are feeling.

Yoga is wonderful for accessing the compassion needed to live in this modern world. Let the yoga and your heart guide you and don't worry about the crushes, they will come and go.

Living in an open hearted existence is very special and definitely a place to hold dear. Give it a try and see what happens. You could just surprise yourself....