Practice is why we’re here. If we are yogis it is always, and only, by degrees, and we’re always striving to hit a target that keeps moving. Events and the passage of time will always shift our perceptions, and really they must, for our own sake. A static understanding of ourselves and all around us is really no understanding at all. 

Every time we lay our hands and feet on a mat, or our butts onto the cushion to meditate, we should be stepping into an unknown. We are actually— no way around it. But our perception can be that of looking into a rear view mirror.  We can let our practice— be it as a yogi, student or teacher— become habit. Habits are good as they keep us on course. But they’re less so when what we seek is an unknown while continuing in what feels known. The usual headstand, the usual breath work. In this way the habit leads to a plateau. 

There are ways we shake this state loose. One of the best ways is reexamination of what we feel is known. This is what Master Class season is all about. We get the perfect start in the next few weeks with Taquice Campbell leading those classes on subjects seemingly familiar: asana and sequencing. I’ve always felt the term Master Class refers to testing one’s own mastery, rather than experiencing the mastery of a given teacher. I believe Taq would agree, master though she is. Sign up early, sign up often! We start this weekend.

Hari Om

Keith