Yoga World

Joshua Tree

It's been an interesting transition. Well, many transitions in the past few years. From leaving the comfort of being a student, to traveling alone for the first time and tackling the world of foreign NGOs, to working long, tough hours as a high school teacher, to now helping run a yoga studio and instruct classes. Some days I just smile, thinking at the good fortune I've had in my life. Currently, I have the freedom to enjoy the sunshine as I chose, flexibility in work schedule and tasks, and the respect of an intelligent and caring boss. It's beautiful.


Now that I've had almost two months of settling into this new, calm existence, I'm looking to expand. I realized a few weeks ago that my brain felt, well, a bit soft. I haven't had the same intellectual challenges I was met with in college, nor the stress and high anxiety of working in a foreign country, or even in my own country. It's been a wonderful break, but I'm looking for a challenge.


Once I was able to put a finger on these thoughts and feelings, I began looking for ways to remedy it. Perhaps putting out my resume at other studios, or taking an anatomy class. It's so funny, because ever since I was in 7th grade, I decided that 1) I hated science, and 2) I wasn't good at it. I'm not sure if I fell into the gender trap of girls being "good" at english and social studies, while boys focus on science and math. I'm sure it was easier for me to say I didn't like science than to try my hand at it when I was 13. I found that when something didn't come naturally to me, I simply let it go. Basketball for example. I was a tall, athletic kid. Softball, soccer, volleyball all came fast! And I loved that. After a few tries at basketball and realizing I wasn't the badass player I wanted to be, I stopped. Same thing with science? Perhaps. Anyways, now as an adult I am so completely fascinated with science, especially the human body. My tiny introduction to anatomy in the yoga training had me aching for more. I contemplated signing up for a summer session anatomy class, but decided to wait til fall. In the summer, it's four days a week for four hours, really fast and condensed. Fall sounds slower... a better pace for me to comprehend what's going on. In any case, when I brought up my need for additional challenge to my boss, he was excited... he's had plans for me to grow into, but didn't want to overload me in the beginning. My response: bring it on. More opportunity for growth and learning, and able to stay two blocks away from my part-time and in a few months full-time home.


It's amazing what happens when you take the time to listen to your thoughts, spirit perhaps, and put it out there for the universe. I feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by people who honor themselves and the earth. Every day I learn something more about myself. And every day I'm able to take an hour and focus on gratitude, patience, compassion, or one of the innumerable heart qualities, and strengthen it in my life.

Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga Studio

It's also been a curious change for me. How do I want to grow in this universe? Who am I? Yoga Blair versus friend Blair? Or roommate, daughter, lover, student? I'm realizing more and more that I can't be anything but myself, and I'll continue to try to strengthen and honor that true essence of myself. In yoga classes, I'm calm, serene, and open... and on the weekends I find myself fairly sassy and animated. These two aspects are part of me, and I am enjoying embracing them both.

View from my desk.