An old friend of mine asked me today why I’ve been practicing yoga so much lately (and missing out on climbs). My response was pretty candid, “It helps to ground me.” Yoga has made its way into my normal routine over the years and is no longer just the asana as a cross-training option to my other physical activities.

When you study the 8 limbs of yoga, asana is only a fraction of what makes up your practice. You’ll find that breathing and meditation practices serve you well, but also allow you to connect to your “world.” So what is “my world,” you might ask? My world consists of myself, my friends, my family, and the people who build up my community.

In a recent trip my father took to visit me, for the first time in his lifetime, did I ever share my yoga practice with him. At the young age of 73, I didn’t expect him to be doing any arm balances or advanced poses. We sat together; I taught him pranayama (breathing); and we meditated every single night of his trip together. I felt more connected to him during this time than I have felt in my entire lifetime. I’ll be visiting him over the holiday so we’ll have a chance to continue our practice together. This is why I practice yoga. This is why I feel grounded.

~Namaste~ BC