What doesn't stay on the mat....

I love the Las Vegas' slogan *What happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas*. For me it brings up feelings of unbridled freedom, with nary a consequence.....If only REAL life were like that.... It's not. What we do/say/think/feel has a consequence. Some consequences are expected...others? Not so much. Like my birthday. Every year I envision parties! Friends! Frivolity! And no matter how much planning or forethought I put into it, it's never what I *expected*. For me that's the key word: Expectations. Buddha spoke of the cause of suffering to be just this: expectations, or attachments to a preconceived outcome. But life doesn't follow our prescribed notions of what *should* or *shouldn't* happen.....plans change, ideas grow, people die. My goodness, if my own life had followed every *expectation* I ever had, this planet would be a mess! Trust me! So how does this relate to our time on the mat? It is the seed we plant for awareness of our intention. Last night during Intermediate Yoga, Jen Robbins approached me regarding our vinyasa practice. Says Jen, *I keep forcing myself deep into asana, immediately! I want so bad to drop into the full pose right away*.....I do too. But if I remember the *intention* of vinyasa (to flow, to connect with the breath, to feel the energy of my body), and let go of my *expectations* (to do down-dog deeper than a classmate, to hold chaturanga dandasana longer than the teacher), then I am truly honoring myself. And to honor myself is to honor this practice. The intention is to listen to my body. And Accept All Outcomes. Yoga teaches us that the only constant in life is change. One day I may be able to do backflips...the next? I can barely get out of bed....and these changes are part of a universal wisdom greater than me, you, anyone. Remember the story of Mohammed...an eagle stole his boot right in the middle of a long hike in the desert, but in the boot was a poisonous snake. In effect he was saved by something bad happening to him. Did he *expect* his boot to be stolen? Of course not. But it saved his life. Sometimes *bad* things happen to save us from disaster. And the only reason I will suffer is if I stay attached to my own, limited, preconceived notion of what *should* have happened. Let go. Flow. Be okay with what is handed to you. Even if it's not what you may have expected. Practicing this awareness on your mat doesn't stay on the mat. Unlike Vegas, awareness of intention flows into your daily life. Like me with my birthday.....I'll be okay, and aware that maybe this change is to prevent something horrible happening. ....Have a glass of wine/piece o' cake for me on Saturday, and I'll send gratitude for what DOESN'T stay on our mats. Namaste, Megan Sappington

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