Goals for 2016 and beyond

I have written, read and researched on this subject a LOT. I need to practice what I preach on here. I just want to bring my energy down with meditation. I will eventually unlock the secrets of levitation, and eternal life, but for now – I just want to get in the habit of meditating regularly. I resolve to start at 5 minutes a day. I will keep you all posted on my progress :). Also, share with me how meditating is going for you if you have started (or planning to)!

I have no good reason as to why I don’t do this already. I say it’s because I don’t have enough space, time, energy, more motivation in a class-setting, etc. None of these excuses are valid. Time is an issue yes, but I just have to make at least SOME. Practicing on your own is essential for a yoga teacher. I have to fully understand the poses before I can truly teach it to someone else. This can only come from practice.  

These days, you can pay a certain amount of money and BAM – you’re a certified yoga teacher. But, honestly – are all of us who graduate from these programs qualified to teach right away? I am really grateful that I am able to teach, but I need to be self-aware on my limitations. There is absolutely NO way that I know as much as someone who has been teaching for many years.

One of my favorite bloggers, said it perfectly:

We are now in an era where one can be a yoga teacher less than a year after walking into a studio with no experience. Old teachings are being devalued in this information age. “Learning the hard way” is now becoming outdated in this time where everyone gets a medal for participating, and people are quick to take offense. There is even a movement to devalue yoga as “modern and postural” from people who don’t even practice.

It is time for me and other yoga teachers to go back to the basics and learn from our teachers. There are so many things to learn from those of who have a vast yoga background and have practiced for many years. They aren’t aware of just on anatomy and how to teach asana, but on how spirituality works, knowledge on the meaning of yoga sutras, living a meditative life, dealing with different students, how to reach someone who resists yoga and much more. Teachers are invaluable. Just because I did one 230 hr training, does not make me an expert.

I want to also read text books written by yoga masters, spend time researching and absorb as much information as I can. I don’t ever want to be complacent in my yoga journey.

Every other day, I wish I were 26 again. I am now 30, but I feel so much older. Yes, I know I sound like a brat. But, it’s because I see everyone else  moving on with life and I’m stuck in this annoying “recovery from 2014 mode”. My friends are starting to have children, and I am here wishing I was in my 20s again. Between 2010 and 2013,  I traveled a lot for work. I lived in Singapore, Taiwan, China and Los Angeles. I made new friends and it was great. It was about having fun, and being free. I mean, I had a challenging job and a steady relationship, but it was still tinged with freshness and freedom. Currently, I’m stable here in NC, but, those past years remind me of my good times. Now, I just think about my pain and my moving-on phase. I long for the past because I’m sad in the present. But, I need to work on letting that go.

I can and WILL travel again. I can (and do!) make new friends across the globe. I can and will build lasting and fulfilling relationships now. In November of 2014, I traveled to Peru and hiked to Machu Picchu. I went to Mysore, India this past Summer. I have made my relationship stronger with my family. The good things in my life did not end in 2013. I need to focus on the now, and be grateful on all the good things that have happened recently.

This by far is going to be most difficult thing for me to do, but nothing good in life ever comes easy. It’s going to be a major mental struggle albeit a worthwhile one.

Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.

– Sonia Ricotti