[blockquote source=”Anne D. LeClaire”]Every soul innately yearns for stillness, for a space, a garden where we can till, sow, reap, and rest, and by doing so come to a deeper sense of self and our place in the universe. Silence is not an absence but a presence. Not an emptiness but repletion A filling up.[/blockquote]

I like to practice yoga everyday. At first, I fought the structure and discipline of getting to the studio – my mind concocting fabulous visions of every oft reason I might stay home instead.

In my head, roads were washed out with the slightest of drizzle – and the calmness of night, replaced by a bone-chilling freeze.

Oh, and there’s laundry to be folded…and that post for tomorrow. And the bed is so cozy…”for just a little while longer…”

But, always there’s something that nudges me ‘home’ – a nagging little itch, some sort of inside, ‘inner knowing.’

Why do we fight that which we already know to be good? Hiding behind walls built with our own dreaded fear?

But those walls we hope to shield us, cast only long shadows instead….leaving us so horribly disconnected.

And, always there’s something to be learned in those struggles against our yoga mats.

You see, most people assume that the real benefit of yoga is in the perfection of movement. But I’d rather think, the benefit lies within those few short moments of ‘in between’ rest…

Between all the swirling chaos of this world…

The contorted, twisted turns…

The muscle aches and burns…

My dears, there is always this most beautiful resting place…where we may retreat to our stillness, and settle into a much deeper contentment…

A balance only to be found when spirit surrenders to the mat.