Yoga is a tool we use to wake up. We stretch and we breathe not just to shape up and become more flexible, this are wonderful things—-but on a deeper level the practice of yoga helps us to realize we are connected. We use our breath to feel the connection between our mind and body. Through practice we may begin to feel and understand that we are also connected to each other, that we are connected to all things, that we are not separate from nature, that we are nature.
But we forget that we are connected. We get wrapped up in our own lives, and our own problems and think that we are separate from our neighbors, or our community, or our environment. We think that suffering outside our living room doesn’t affect us, and that our own suffering doesn’t affect others. When we forget we are weak, like a single tree easily blown down when the wind is hard.
Yoga helps us to wake up, to remember that we are connected, and when we remember this we are strong like a mighty forest with roots interconnected to hold each other up and keep balanced even during difficult times. We take care of each other and we take care of our earth as if it was a part of us, because it is a part of us. We also see how the earth responds and takes care of all of us.
On Green Day many people came to our charity event. Just by participating in that charity lesson seeds of hope have been planted. With the money we raised over 1000 trees can be planted in Kochi. Planting seeds is an important step, but the seeds must be watered and cared for in order to grow, just as our thoughts and good intentions must be nourished into action.
It’s not enough to simply plant a seed or think a good thought or do some yoga poses once a week. The real yoga practice is not how skillfully we can move on the mat in a yoga lesson, it is how skillfully we can move in our lives. The practice is to stay awake, to keep reminding ourselves that you and me, the rivers, mountains, forests, oceans, earth, and sky are all connected.
How do we stay awake and realize this connection off our mats? We can do this by enjoying nature. Go outside, take a walk, feel the wind, listen to the rain, see the mountains, smell the land. Make enjoying nature an important part of your life, and your lifestyle will change in a way to support nature in the same way it will support you and bring you happiness.
Of course nature is an important part of our life even when we forget. We forget that all the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe all rely upon a healthy environment. But the environment can only stay healthy with our efforts.
Thank you so much everyone for coming to our charity yoga class. It makes my heart feel so happy and warm to be a part of a community of people that care for our earth and for each other.
ランキングに参加しました。 土佐ヨガを応援してくれる方はワンクリックをお願いします。 
