Opportunities

In my yoga class today the idea of opportunity appeared. Finding an asana tight in my shoulders and chest, my teacher offered me a prop to open up. I had a choice to stay in discomfort, without gaining the benefit of the asana or accept the offer of support and gain depth and release. She offered this opportunity to the rest of the class. She paused and moved away from what she had planned, to give her students an opportunity to try something new. An opportunity to play, explore and grow - knowing our bodies a little better having worked our muscles in a different way to normal.

This made me reflect on other opportunities in life and our choice whether we accept them or not. Whether we even see them? Taking the opportunities, we see can be a challenge. We often find comfort in what we know, even if this is uncomfortable (like me in a tight asana) and doesn’t serve us. Acknowledging our limitations or need for change can make us feel vulnerable, meaning we don’t take these opportunities when they present themselves.

So how do we find the time and space to see opportunity, and decide if we are ready, or even want to take them? Find your way to reflect on your experiences and what you want in your life. This could be through a mindfulness practice, journaling, running or taking a bath. The mechanism isn’t important; authenticity and meaning in it, is. Don’t force something which doesn’t work for you, take joy in the activities which enable you to breathe and step back. Through this you will know yourself better and be better able to see opportunities as they appear.

I left class today with gratitude; with my teacher for their offer of opportunity and for myself for accepting it.