Eureka moments come when you least expect them. I was having a hopeless moment in 
Ardha Chandrasana (Half-Moon Pose). In these hopeless moments I am usually thinking any and/or all of the following:
“Am I doing this right? I am definitely not doing this right.” “Why doesn’t the teacher correct me or tell me I am doing it right?”
“I’m hopeless and they could spend the whole class correcting me and I still won’t get it right.”
“Why the f*** am I doing yoga anyhow? “
I was looking for reassurance or even praise regarding my practice from an 
external source. This is a common theme in my life. I have a tendency to think the worst if I am not told by someone else that I am amazing 24/7. All of that competing for and obtaining gold stars in school created a praise hungry woman.
Then I just stopped. Inhale. Exhale. Squared my hips a bit more and EUREKA – I was in it. It being the pose, the moment and a major realisation.
I should listen to my body and  my breath, trusting what they tell me.  I must know that sometimes balance isn’t immediate or that my hips want to twist in that moment and that it’s okay to start over.
Most of all I need to be present in that moment. It is good to be aware your teacher will adjust you when necessary – sometimes we all need a little help, but that your practice is your own and you set your limits.
That moment was small, but mighty, creating an awareness of the limits I was placing on myself through the belief that the only valid praise came from outside of myself – that realisation had more worth than any gold star ever could.
Marie’s first Blog for the Yoga Hub (The first of many we hope). Thanks so much for sharing your personal experience Marie. I’m sure anyone reading can relate.
