A Heartfelt Letter from a Yoga Mat to a Yogi

My dear yogi-being,

Namaste!

You and I have been close companions on this beautiful journey of yoga. Today, I am going to take this opportunity to tell you what I’ve been wanting to say for a long time:

1. It’s okay

It’s ok if you miss your practice. I know that sometimes you miss your yoga practice for other things in life – for the laundry, for a party, for meeting friends or that dinner date.

Sometimes you don’t practice for a few days for one reason or another. But when you come back to your mat, there is no need to be unnecessarily harsh to yourself or blame yourself when it takes longer for you to melt into your forward fold, grip your foot during dancer’s pose, or transition effortlessly into chaturanga.

I’m here to say it’s ok, no matter how long you’ve been on or off the mat. Even if you practice everyday or every other day, or rarely – I am here to invite you as you are. I miss you while you are away, but I know the other things you did nourished and added to your journey in different ways. It’s all about the journey.

It’s not about the pose, it’s about how you feel in it.

2. Make it a play, I’m your magic carpet

By resting on me – whether it’s through asanas or just by lying down after an overwhelming day – you can transform your mental and physical tiredness into peace and energy.

As you press your toes onto me into your Warrior pose, I love how I can see the transformation in you from feeling ‘bleh’ to being as happy as a child on a sugar rush. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Flow into movements. Listen to your body. Try new poses.

I’m your magic carpet, the instrument to take you to your wonderland within.

3. I’m your blank slate and best friend

I am here to give you the space to be, to release yourself. Roll me out and practice – flow to your heart’s content.

Feeling too emotional or overwhelmed? As you stretch and move through what’s been going on in your life, it’s okay if you trickle a tear in your child’s pose. You can lie down on me and just let thoughts flow. Laugh with me as you move with zeal and enthusiasm on the good days, and giggle with me when you slap face down as you challenge yourself in a Bakasana or Eka Pada Galavasana.

Pour yourself onto me because I’m the space where you can be you – with yourself, by yourself, for yourself.

Let’s move and be together as we practice compassion, love and awareness through your asanas, your meditation, and your breath.

All I’m here to say is – Know that you do and are enough. This is your well deserved ‘you time’ – in rest or practice – take it and give it.

Love, Your Yoga Mat

This article was provided by

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/3-things-your-yoga-mat-would-tell-you-if-it-could-speak/ and revised by Elliott Yoga Studio