Encourage Your Fellow Yogis

Photos via Pinterest.

I am learning a lot from running lately. Have you ever found yourself amazed at how your yoga practice translates into other disciplines?

The other day I was in the middle of a three-mile run, feeling a little tired.

Another runner, a guy much faster than me, passed me with a friendly, "Hello!" He raced on ahead, and I suddenly found myself inspired to go a little faster. I picked up on this fellow runner's energy, and it motivated me.

Later in the run, a passing bicyclist said, "Good job!" as he went by me in the opposite direction. 

I was amazed at how much a difference it made to have this little bit of encouragement from a total stranger.

Often when we come to yoga class, we're there for a personal experience. But the reality is, we're sharing our practice with other yogis, even if we never speak a word to each other. We're engaging in heartfelt community. Our positive energy can bring light to others.

My little reminder to you today is to encourage your fellow yogis while you're in class. Do it outside of yoga, too: whether you're participating in another sport, or simply respecting those around you in your everyday encounters, you're making a difference.

Truly, this is the meaning of namaste.