At the time I was working in an office that was more "corporate" than any other. Unlike the newsroom, people weren't routinely screaming vulgarities at each other across six rows of desks and not taking it personally.
I felt like a bull in a China shop in the more tame workplace. It's possible I was imagining it, but it seemed like every time I opened my mouth people were startled either by the content or volume of my words. In response, I tried to speak softly and rarely -- and I attempted to emulate the polite vocabulary of those around me saying things like, "Shoot" and "Darn it."
It was kind of a disaster but I'm really glad I tried. I learned from that experience that even if my way of being was "wrong," it was still me being me. Trying to change myself to conform was a fast ticket to extreme discontent.
We all long to belong. This desire is a part of the human condition that is rooted in a survival instinct to tie us to the "pack." However, there is a limit to the benefit of blending in with the group when it hinders our authenticity.
One of the advantages of a regular yoga practice is the by-product of getting to know oneself with clarity. It begins in small ways, such as learning to find where we are in any given pose in the moment rather than assuming what we can or can't do. A group yoga class is also a wonderful way to gauge just how much we tend to compare ourselves to others -- and that pulled hamstring the next day is a lovely reminder of how foolish we were to do it. Before you know it, your yoga practice follows you off the mat. You begin asking yourself if you really want to go see that blockbuster action flick, or take that job only for the better pay, or commit to a path of least resistance.
The pursuit of authenticity can be a lonely and frightening choice. But the alternative is quite grim. Trying to fit into someone else's notion of who you really are is a great way to live a small, passionless existence.
It's your life. Live it for you.
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 Why Reserve Online?
Because the online reservation system...
...is free and easy to use ...generates an email reminder before every reserved class
...gives you control over your own class scheduling ...allows you to make and cancel reservations anytime ...adds your name to a waiting list if class is full and notifies you if someone cancels
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