If I had to be labled as either the turtle or the hare in a race, I'd definitely be the turtle. While I may set out to be the hare some days, it never works out. If things are going to happen for me, they're either going to come along slow and steady or not at all. Yoga practice is much the same. Pattabhi Jois famously said, "Practice, and all is coming". B.K.S. Iyengar said in 'Light on Life", Success will come to the person who practices". You can define success however you like, but I don't think what Mr. Iyengar said applies only to practice on the mat. It's a great thought to take with you through the rest of the day.
One of the things I love most about Ashtanga yoga practice is that there are no short cuts. There is no faster way to "get" any pose, any transition, or any other aspect of practice. You just go along doing daily practice and aspects of practice evolve at their own pace. I've spent years just doing what I can do in particular poses or transitions and they do come along in time. Once you arrive at any particular "place" in practice, however, some new understanding comes along and changes everything! It forces me to work with what is going on right now and let go of thoughts of what might or might not happen later.
After 80-some years of practice, I suppose Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar know a little something about practice. As a friend very wisely reminded me recently, just keep at it.
Now, onto the real practice, as I try to live in this moment for the rest of the day.
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