Comfortable yet?

Today I got to take my Yoga class with Sumit himself as the teacher.  He is a strong Indian gentleman with great flowing hair and a fantastic posture.  He radiates strength, patience and control. I had taken one class with him early in my Hot Yoga practice.  It was hard but I was just struggling to get the routine back then.   Sumit is in town doing training for new Yoga Instructors. 35 new instructors are being trained for locations through the country.  

This class was hard but wonderful. He really pushed you a little longer in some positions and a little deeper in some holds.  He is the master of this practice, the man behind the machine of Sumit Hot Yoga.  He choose the positions and the sequencing.  

He said something during this class that was very interesting.  "Sometimes you need to feel uncomfortable in yoga ... and in life."  This was said during a particular gruesome forward bend.  Wow.  If that is not counter to our every day striving.  We are always trying to keep things comfortable, orderly, sequenced, checking them off the list to try to find calm and comfort.   We organize our environment trying to control all contingencies to keep it comfortable.  Do we actually ever really reach it? 

Think about it.  When was the last time you just allowed yourself to feel uncomfortable about things.  This really resinated with me after the mudarusa experience.  Nothing comfortable about walking in stinky mud.  I chafed against the situation and did not fine peace in the uncomfortableness of it all.  I would have enjoyed the music more if I could have given in to the lack of comfort. Maybe the mudwookies had it right, embracing the mud and just allowing themselves to frolic.    

  

This pictures is from Wakarusa's office page.  I did not dare bring my phone/camera with me into the mud most days. Captures the Mudwookies well.  

In relationships we strive for everything to be comfortable, secretly disliking the heavy uncomfortable discord that goes with working out troubles and fighting for friendships.  Maybe we even label those people around us that drag discord with them, like pig pen, as annoying or disturbing. Maybe like yoga we can gather strength by hanging out on the outer edge of our comfort zones gaining wisdom and reflection, testing our strength, patience and control.  Hmmmmm.  

Strength and Flexibility = Balance.  Maybe greater flexibility in real life can help in this equation too.  At the same time no point in driving one crazy all at once.  Lets just see how we react to the next uncomfortable situation.   Its your mission if you wish to accept it.  Report back if you dare.