Why We Practice?

My teacher asks this of us from time to time.

Lois Steinberg, a Senior Iyengar teacher answered this way, "For joy and presence."

Here are some responses from others in my class:

For...Inner peace, Quiet, the Soul, Flexibility, Strength, Compassion, Self-reflection, Equanimity.

I am trying to practice every morning, with devotion, with focus (dhayana). It is a commitment I have long sought but which has eluded me. Over the years I have had a home practice; sometimes with the radio on, sometimes just a dog pose and one leg stretch. Over the past two years, now that my child is older and I have time in the morning, I have begun a more regular practice. But it has still been one that can lack devotion, focus, my loving attention. It has gotten repetitive.

But, now, I am letting go of thinking about having a more focus, engaging, concentrated practice and I am doing. Having an intention to practice is a first step but I find I need something to fuel that intention; especially on cold winter mornings when it is still dark when I rise!

Something more to get me up and to the mat, more than strength, a body that looks and feels "good", a nimble back; all things that may or may not be depending on the day. Something that is unchanging, dependable, reliable.

That something more I have found to fuel my intention, at least for now, is myself, quiet, calm, penetrated by a warm clear inner light; my soulself who is inside waiting for the muddy waters to settle with as much yearning to meet me as I have to meet her.