An Octopus on Your Mat

I recently watched the film, "My Octopus Teacher". The footage is beautiful. I've also read some critiques about it. I'm going to ignore those and speak about something I think applies to yoga practice.

The main character is an octopus and the supporting actor is a dude (I've already forgotten his name, and it doesn't matter anyway). The dude - I'm just going to call him that - goes out every day to the same place for a year to observe the octopus and her surroundings. It was the act of showing up day after day to the same place that allowed him to see the subtle, yet profound intricacies of the environment clearly, observe the patterns of octopus life, and form a sort of relationship with the octopus (this is where the critiques go a little nuts).

His commitment to visit the octopus is not so different from a regular yoga practice. When you arrive on your mat regularly, you create an environment where the external pull and demands of everyday life are silenced. The repetitive nature of the exercises allows your body to balance strength with flexibility. And the repetition serves another purpose - self-study.

I know the world is a strange place, especially now when everything has been turned on its head. While your mat may function as a refuge from stress and strain, it is also a laboratory for learning how to move through the layers of yourself to uncover and sense the inner spaces of your body and mind.

It is an honor to witness your process and play the supporting role in your journey. Just keep swimming. I'll see you on the mat soon.

Namaste,

Kathryn