A yoga teacher once said to me:
It’s easy to meditate on top of a quiet mountain top, but it’s another thing to meditate in the middle of New York City.
Sunday mornings at 10am belong to Georgia.  She is our resident Yoga Angel who blesses us with her peace and wisdom.
But Sunday was a hard class, though – very humid, very crowded and a lot of frenetic energy.
One of the great things about practicing in a class, is the group energy.  When everyone is focused, determined and dedicated, the energy is infectious.  One can really learn, grow and be inspired by others.  But it can also work the other way.
During Sunday’s class, it was very restless.  Lots of people got up to go the bathroom, others left – it was challenging to maintain the focus on your own practice.
But in every hardship or challenge, there is always a lesson.  When you see someone else reaching for water, it’s easy to want to reach for your own water bottle.  When you see someone else wiping their sweat, you reach for your own hand towel.
The key is to maintain control and awareness over your own thoughts, actions and intentions.  Despite what diversions are going on around you, take what you can, and leave what you don’t need behind.
It’s easy to meditate on top of a silent mountain, but wherever you are, you need to keep that peace with you.
Don’t ever let anyone steal your peace.
Namaste,
hp