Making Friends with Less-Than-Ideal

Happy Summer. It’s a beautiful morning in UCity, though the smoke covering the sky creates less-than-ideal conditions for outside sitting. Still, the backyard called to me this cool morning, knowing that a heatwave begins tomorrow.

I’ve been busy recording practices for you–I mean ATTEMPTING to record practices. I’m meeting my inner struggle with less-than-ideal conditions=the light is wrong, the neighbors are hammering, the camera position is off—blah blah blah. Last evening, 40 minutes into a lovely practice recording, Leo decided his practice was over, and well–you can watch a one-minute clip to see how that turned out—ugh, foiled again.

During my morning reflection under smoky skies, I contemplated “less-than-ideal.” How do we (as yogis) make peace with the “less-than-ideal” world we inhabit with our human tendency to seek unreachable “ideal conditions?” The need for “ideal” often takes us out of the moment or prevents us from engaging altogether. How often does not enough this, too much that, too ______ (fill in the blank) create a barrier to being present and trap us inside our inner dialogue? More importantly, how can we use this tendency as a ripe opportunity to step out of that narrative, grow comfortable with, and even accept less-than-ideal?

On our mat, we train our minds to allow all things to come and go just as they are without pushing away or grasping onto any condition or state. Our practice is not to hold the perfect pose, mindstate, or visual video esthetic but to BE as present as possible, with self-compassion, during both ideal or less-than-ideal moments.

So, lights, camera, action—let’s practice together. If you don’t mind seeing the cord in the far corner of the screen, I’ll keep the dog wrestling and butt shots to a minimum. Let’s breathe and Be together, just as we are.

-Jai Bhagwan
Susan

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About The Author

Susan Mathis, M.Ed., E-RYT 500, RCYT, YACEP

Susan is deeply committed to the practice of yoga, pranayama, and conscious living. A Professional Level, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, she offers steady guidance, practical knowledge and infuses the deep wisdom of yoga philosophy into her teaching. A lover of the natural world, adventure, and travel, Susan engages with nature through hiking, biking, and scuba diving. She is the owner and director of alleyCat Yoga and Yoga to Grow.