A New Journey
3 weeks in and the start of the 4th….excitement, exhaustion, liberation, confusion, self doubt, understanding. Understanding that…ya? I think I am where I want to be? No…not a question mark Casey…very much an exclamation point!!! Ya! I am not only where I want to be but where I AM! But how did I get here, to this point of exclamation? And how did I arrive so soon…20 some years early to this present?
Outta the scape goat of simplicity I am now within the realities of complexity. I’m gonna call this realm a world of Mindfulness, Movement, and Connection. Others would call it Yoga Teacher Training with a Mindfulness Meditation Certificate.
As an arrogant self absorbed 15 year old, I walked into my first yoga class at the local gym. In the hopes of exploring a new vigorous physical routine to add to my ever growing athletic enhancing library but I was met with Yogi Liz. She was an ageless white women of maturity, who walked with a dancers intention grounded within an ancient Indian practice.
I quickly learned from Yogi Liz that yoga is much more than a physical practice (asana). That yoga embodies breath, meditation, philosophies, a deep ancient culture, and so much more. She created a space within the mat that was conscience of mind, body, spirit that she did not preach. The total opposite. Yogi Liz radiated compassion, knowledge, empowerment, and the connectiveness within the world and within ourselves.
In Aikido, it’s been told that O’Sensei (Aikido’s founder) could throw a partner without even touching them, even at 80 years old. His energy (ki) was so strong that he didn’t need physical touch to create movement. Yogi Liz embodied that ki. While in a pose, I could feel her adjusting my alignment yet there was no touch. The only proof of her presents was her voice asking permission to physically make an adjustment.
Yogi Liz was a being that forever altered my mind, body, spirit, and existence. And I knew, or at least hoped or longed, to one day follow in her presence. Liz knew of this passion, and also of the extreme self doubt I had within, yet she fueled this flame (even at times at a distance) in her Yogi Liz way, until her passing a few years back.
Within the pandemic, like most of us, I sought movement, connection, a direction, something, anything! I thought this would be the time to finally take the leap into a mindfulness movement and connective career. My self doubt of not being wise enough, old enough, good enough, experienced enough to even attempt to follow in her footsteps became an unmovable roadblock that I quickly ran away from.
But now, as we are emerging into a new light it is time. I am ready. I am no longer running. And I have taken the first few steps on a the path Yogi Liz first opened up for me over 30 years ago. Even though I miss my teacher, my guru, my friend, I can feel her presence each step of the way.
I’m still not sure where this will all lead but for now is a time for me to study and to learn, which I am LUVING. And the parallels within adventure, ya, I’m totally where I am suppose to be! I will keep you all posted on this journey. Thank you so much for reading.
Much Luv,
-Casey