04/11/2025
A few days ago, one of my students came to me and said,
“Raj, I’ve been feeling really demoralized these days because my practice isn’t improving like it used to. I feel like I’m not making any progress — even my lotus isn’t opening any more. I think I’ll take a week off to rest. But tell me, how can I improve more?”
At that moment, I didn’t know what exactly to say or how to help him understand where his body and mind were in his practice. Later, I thought it might be more useful to write it down rather than just explain it in words.
Over the years, I’ve observed how my own body has gone through changes — and I’ve seen the same in my students’ bodies across more than 20 years of teaching.
When I first came to yoga, what drew me in was the feeling of lightness in my body, breath, and mind. It was as if all the tension and stress I had been holding, both physically and mentally, were released. That feeling was what truly captured me.
As time went on, I began to get excited about the poses. That excitement brought a sense of inspiration — and, to be honest, a kind of entertainment too. Eventually, I entered a phase where I was constantly chasing new achievements in asanas. But one day, I realized I couldn’t go much further. By my thirties, I had already reached the limit of what my body could do.
Some people told me that if I controlled my diet more strictly, I might progress a little further — so I did, and I reached that goal too. But then I found another limit. No more beyond that.
That’s when I sat down and reflected on my journey.
How was it? Where did it lead me? Was I on the right path?
And I realized — yes, everything I experienced was exactly right for me. Nothing was wrong. I accepted that my journey was mine, that it unfolded perfectly as it was meant to. I didn’t need to complain or wish for more. That acceptance gave me peace — a sense of satisfaction that there was no need to keep chasing new achievements.
I could simply be.
To flow as life had written my story.
To move with happiness in what is, not in what could be.
Now, as I step into my 25th year of serious yoga practice, that same passion still lives in me — whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual. I feel deeply grateful that I’ve enjoyed every moment of this journey.
To the new yoga teachers who are beginning their path as professionals — as one of my students said beautifully the other day —
“Let them find the yoga of being, rather than the yoga of gymnastics.”
The moment we understand that yoga practice is not about achieving something for tomorrow — but about being fully present now — that’s when we truly live yoga.
Enjoy it.
Be aware of it.
Flow with it.
And stay still within that awareness.
几天前，一位学生走到我面前，对我说：
“Raj，最近我觉得有点沮丧，因为我的练习好像不再像以前那样进步了。我感觉自己没有任何提升——连我的莲花坐都没有改善。我想休息一周再回来。你能告诉我该怎么做才能更进步吗？”
当下我其实不知道该怎么回答，也不知道怎样让他理解，他的身体与心灵在练习中的真实状态。后来我想，与其口头解释，不如把这些想法写下来，也许更能帮助到他。
这些年来，我非常清楚地感受到自己身体的变化，也观察到我的学生们在二十多年里身体的成长与转变。
当我第一次接触瑜伽时，吸引我的是那种身体、呼吸与心灵的轻盈感。就像所有的紧张与压力，都从我身心深处被释放出来。那一刻的感觉——正是让我走进瑜伽的原因。
随着时间的推移，我开始对体式感到兴奋。那种兴奋带来了灵感，也带来了一种“乐趣”。慢慢地，我开始追求各种体式的成就。但有一天，我意识到自己似乎已经到达极限。到了三十多岁时，我发现身体的潜能差不多到此为止。
有人告诉我，如果我再严格控制饮食，也许还可以再进步一点。于是我尝试了，也确实达到了那个目标。可最终，我还是发现了那个“极限”——再也无法超越。
于是，我坐下来反思这一路走来的旅程。
这一切是怎样的？
它带我走向了哪里？
我是否走在正确的道路上？
我终于明白——这一切对我来说都是最恰当的。没有什么是错的。
我接受了自己的旅程，它是独一无二的，也在该有的节奏中展开。我不再抱怨，也不再追求更多。那一刻，我心中生起了一种满足——不再执着于新的成就，只是单纯地存在。
我学会了*“存在”*。
顺着生命为我写下的故事去流动。
在“如其所是”中，保持喜悦与安然。
如今，走进我瑜伽修行的第25个年头，这份热情依然在我心中，无论是身体的、心灵的，还是灵性的层面。我深深感恩，在每一个当下都曾真切地享受这段旅程。
对于那些刚开始以瑜伽为职业的新老师们——就像我的一位学生昨天说的那样：
“让他们去找到*‘存在的瑜伽’，而不是‘体操的瑜伽’*。”
当我们真正明白，练习的意义不在于明天能达到什么，而在于此刻的觉知与当下的存在——
那一刻，我们才真正地在活出瑜伽。
享受它，
觉察它，
随之流动，
并在觉知中安住。
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