I am feeling mentally and physically strong, but it’s my heart that has expanded and benefited the most in the last year through having a dedicated yoga practice. You cannot see the expansion of my heart in a photos, but it is something that I feel everyday as I write and look at the world so differently than I used to. I have chosen, now, to show up every day to my life in a new way. And, well, maybe it is visible in a photo when only 1 year ago I was not able to expand my chest in this heart opening pose?

Imagine what we are all capable of, in every part of our lives, when we believe that we can?

The mind and heart, together, allow us to live.

And it turns out that we have these temporary bodies not for admiration, perfection, vanity or to be validated by a partner, relationship, or otherwise. We have these bodies as a gift to be treasured and respected while we’re here. How long did I spend not treasuring or respecting my body? Giving her away, restricting or hiding her. I stood in my own way, tall and grounded in antiquated beliefs about beauty and life’s possibilities. Rooted in not only false beliefs, but sad beliefs. I realize, now, that I had to live there, in that space, to be here. And I’m grateful for the grace I’ve been given to try again.

One year of yoga gave me something that 26 years of writing could not. It taught me love, softness, limits and acceptance. It gave me community and rerooted me in a belief system of kindness, compassion, truth and intention. Now, when I write, everything is more clear and less abysmal, less full of worry and complaints. […] One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.

We can all take back our sight through change and faith.

Reflection through the heart and mind, those are our eyes. And when both of those are open; I think anything is possible. Every pose is an offering and a reminder of our power. And if yoga doesn’t call to you, well, it never called to me either. Maybe I started listening and, well, here I am.

What can you start doing today to listen to your mind and heart? Is it in movement? Is it in reading more books about how to improve your thoughts? Take a chance. You never know where you might find yourself in a year.

Choosing To Show Up: The Opening Of A Heart