I love yoga. 

The sweat, the challenges, the movement, the pauses, the emotional explorations, the letting go, the peace of mind, the calm, the breath. 

I love meditation.

The wonder, the listening, the availability, the simplicity, the calm, the breath. 

But for some reason I have trouble being consistent in getting to class, practicing on my own, and taking the time to sit and meditate. 

I have been consistent about being inconsistent.

Working at Sonic Yoga, as the Marketing Director for many years has been incredible. I have witnessed such beautiful moments: people supporting one another, yogis putting the puzzle pieces together about their practices, and people finding that calm and peace that we so need living in NYC. It has taught me about connection, focus and the importance of the breath. 

In my early days, I felt like I was a bit of an outsider to the yoga community. I was creating posters, social media campaigns, newsletters, and more for Sonic. I was going to class, but I felt a bit undisciplined and inconsistent with my own practice. “They are good at this. They do these things with such ease. And they are dressed so sleek and cool.” I felt like an impostor for many of those earlier years. 

Like many New Yorkers I am a busy bee. In addition to my work at Sonic Yoga, I am a freelance set design and prop styling assistant for professional photoshoots. Some weeks I am working crazy hours and some weeks there is less demand. The hours sometimes vary – sometimes I am home by 6:30pm and sometimes I am on set until 8, 9, 10 o’clock at night. It’s the life of a creative freelancer. 

This work schedule can make it challenging for me to find the rhythm of a regular yoga practice. 

But what I find hinders me more than my wacky schedule from letting yoga into my life is my mindset at times. I have thoughts like “I have a busy week of work ahead, I’ll do yoga next week when I have a lighter schedule.” Then I come home after a long day and numb myself with tv and popcorn. 

So now I am trying to let go of expectations that I am going to have this steady, regular practice. For me, it is about showing up when I can. Being as present as possible on and off the mat. I am open. I am paying more attention to how I inhale and exhale on and off the mat. I am viewing yoga as something I get to do. Not a chore, not something to check off a list. I am one lucky man to have so much access to yoga. To let it be joy. To let it be release. To let it just be. 

I may not be consistent but I am more and more aware. And I know how good yoga is for my mind, body and spirit. Yoga has changed my life. I know yoga is always here for me. 

And I am forever grateful. I will continue to see you on the mat.