Downward dog

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I realized recently that I lack yoga etiquette. I must have some strange Karmic issue that I have unintentionally wound up taking several of my unsuspecting friends to an intermediate yoga class as their first Yoga experience. I think its happened twice now, maybe three times. And on top of that, I often choose to arrive late, and sometimes I leave early. I was even late to my own private lesson.

I make noise when I leave the studio -- the door creaks, my yoga mat squeaks while others are still in final asana. And since I feel like this has turned into a confession -- One day I got a sunburn and that night I showed up slathered in pure lavender oil (which is good for burns and probably smelled better than sweat, but was nonetheless a no-no) -- lavender oil which I had forgotten and could no longer smell.

Does it matter that my life is so full of work and practice that sometimes if I had to come on time I would not be able to practice yoga at all? Does it matter that the only way I can attend sometimes is to leave 5 minutes early so I can open the Dharma center for the Green Light meditators? Does it help that I appreciate yoga so deeply I want to share it with others? I used to think so, but now I am no so sure.

Either way, I have concluded I must seriously lack yoga etiquette.

Which now that I think about it is rather helpful. Maybe it will make me more humble. Maybe I will listen better. Maybe I will learn more.

A quiet thanks to all those patient practitioners out there who are so quietly and patiently waiting for me to find some more yoga etiquette.

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