Sticking to my mat

“Stay in your lane” is a colloquial phrase that means “to mind your own business” or “stick with what you know and are good at”.

Adhering to rules, Conforming, Following the book, Staying in line, and Toeing the mark. Also means the same.

I have heard the phrase “Be on your mat,” a variant of the above in the yoga context, from my long-time friend and yoga teacher , Ritu Govil.

I realized how profound it is as I was practicing Purple Valley Yoga with various people from different walks of life. We all gathered there to attend a retreat by Asthanganilayam led by John and Martha. All participants were at varying levels of practice and from varied walks of life. When I started the practice in Asthanga, you did your own stuff, and the guru in the shala guided you at that moment; there was no set class that the whole class followed. The first day I was amused/amazed/surprised/intimidated. All of this together to see the practice of my fellow participants. My first session in the shala was terrific because of how it is in Purple Valley Yoga, with its beautiful rustic red oxide floors, garlanded idols and oil lamps. Internally, because of the apprehensions, though, it was in flux.

The waves of comparison, some other times of competition to finish, and other times of diligence for perfection for what is getting done filled me with constant thoughts. I would say the wisdom of “Be on your mat” came to me after some sessions. First, I brought my gaze to what I was doing and then focused on the practice that was getting done and going deeper into it. Then, I was in the precincts of my practice and to do better at that. Ofcourse, the nudging from John and Martha was so aptly timed when on the mat. It was later in the week when I was on my mat, but I appreciated others on the side, not with envy but with more of an angle of inspiration and learning.
Asthanga is such a practice that allows you to do your stuff and get better at what you do. I am grateful for this exposure and all the learnings.