Wanderingyogilee contemplates the gift of community love that comes with your yoga practice

This post was written the day after Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding – 20 May 2018.

By now, Meghan and Harry will have had their first argument as a couple. Spent the first month or so, wondering at the amazing love they have for each other, and contemplated the nature of spending their life together. They will be building a community of friends and family beyond that envisaged for a ‘Windsor’ family, I am sure.

I sense these two know that staying open to new and different relationships is the secret to a happy, healthy life. Staying connected to what is important as a community creates real meaning in life.

This is what I was thinking as I watched them walk down the aisle, saw her mum crying tears of joy. This is what I was thinking, surrounded by a group of yoginis, drinking bubblies, eating cucumber sandwiches, nibbling elderflower and lemon cake (the wedding cake of Meghan’s choice).

Yoga is one of the most powerful ways to forge vital, lasting connections – with yourself and others.  This is what I am thinking as I hear the very Reverend Michael Curry metaphorically stamp his feet in his oration on love.

Why is yoga so incredibly good at creating community?

1.  Because it is all about you

The person on show in your yoga practice is the real you. There is something really powerful and healing in this unintended intimacy.  As sweat drops, as you drop from a side plank, in front of all these other yogis, they will laugh with you, not at you, words of support will be offered.   This is not the place for that perfect Facebook pose, of artificial gaiety, the smiles are genuine, lopsided and very, very human.

You intensify ties with one of the most important people in the world – you. We often come to yoga feeling awkward (not comfortable doing this yoga, but something is making you come – we’ve all had that experience), we might be depressed or anxious and wanting to avoid.

Yoga has physical props like blocks and straps, but in itself is an ‘emotional prop’. When the stress is too much, we simply tune into our breath, knowing this reduces our irritability, calms the surging ocean within. We learn that mindful breathing is our best tool in tough situations, activating areas in the brain’s frontal lobes that heighten calm and concentration.

2.  You are not alone

One day, you notice that one of the yogis can barely move from tadasana (standing tree), or spends most of class in savasana. Reminding yourself to let them be, and later you go over to them – are you OK?

It is surprising how often we prevent ourselves from getting to really know others. So caught up in our own personal dramas, past slights, pestering worries. They all cloud our ability to see that others, like us, also seek connection. Sometimes we are so held by our fears, we withdraw from social contact. Yoga clears away these scary cobwebs; our eyes open wide to the present. You are in your 5th round of sun salutation, and that chip on your shoulder drops off.  Suddenly, these people who you barely know, become your mates in one of life’s greatest challenges (108 sun sals).  You begin to see current relationships in all their potential and awkwardness.

For many who come to yoga, they often, unwittingly and unaware, rewrite their life narrative. To one of choices and courage. To openness and love.

3. You are part of a loving divine universe

Sometime, somewhere in the regular practice, every yogi will tell you there is that moment.  When you realize you are part of a much greater universe than the one you created in your own mind.  And everyone else is part of it too. And we are all connected.  At this point, the idea of community love expands to its fullest spiritual potential.

So, next time, instead of carefully crafting that Instagram shot, come to your yoga practice. Discover a community that heals, and a community that changes, for the better, who we are.