Progress Over Perfection

Over the last year, I've attached to this phrase and it has become one of my most used mantras.

When you make a firm decision to grow into your best, it is hard to shed the quest for perfection.  We spend years in pursuit of it although there's really no set standard for it.

So how do we know when we've arrived?  In my opinion, we never arrive at perfection.  The closest we come to perfection is authenticity.

Seriously. What can be more perfect than living in alignment with who you truly are? [ Tweet It! ] 

The easiest place I've learned to accept progress over perfection is on the yoga mat.  While some poses and postures come with ease, there are those that take nothing more than consistent practice.

In a world where we see perfect images of yoga so readily, I've decided to offer my first Instagram Challenge Intention: Progress Over Perfection.

Would you like to participate?

1. Choose a pose that requires work and dedication.  Set your intention to do the work.
2. When you make progress you're comfortable with, feel free to share on Instagram using #PROGRESSOVERPERFECTION.  Or not.
3. Allow the progress in your yoga practice to flow with ease into all areas of your life.

It's that simple.  Keep flowing.  Keep growing.

Ashiya

{Master Teachers} Know Thyself

Now that I have this figured out, join me as I begin a legacy of life, health and prosperity:

www.swanwholistic.com

Life, Health and Prosperity,

Ashiya

{Master Teachers} Lady M.

A Swan Life is a space dedicated to the people, places and things that bring me life.  Growing older has helped me to understand the real impact my family, friends and associates have had on my life and more of the lessons, love and laughter we've experienced will flow through this space.

I've been blessed with wonderful Master Teachers, but none more influential than my maternal grandmother.  With love and respect I refer to her here as Lady M. because it is a title that fits her well.  If you know her at all, I'm sure you would agree.

As I share old and new lessons, I will properly introduce each teacher; however, Lady M is someone who should always introduce themselves.

During a brief chat this morning, she shared with me about believing from the heart and reminded me she was my first yoga instructor.

"People just don't realize we are of one breath. One Spirit. And what we do with that Spirit is up to us.  We think of ourselves or other people as "good" or "evil" Spirits... It is all up to us and what we do."

 -Lady M.

Lady M captured by me during my preteen years.

And that is Lady M.

{YogaSkills} What is Kemetic Yoga + Why Should We Do It

SHU

"Kemet refers to the original name of ancient Egypt, which is northeast Africa and is the birthplace of most of what we call civilization, i.e. agriculture, science, law, medicine, etc.  Kemetic "Yoga" science and philosophy was the foundation of their religious/spiritual understanding of the nature of reality.