About 20 years ago I read and fell in love with the words of T. K. V. Desikachar; The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationship. Georgina brought these words to life for me, even more than my 30 years of practicing asanā.
On International Women’s Day I’d like to celebrate Georgina (not her real name). She had a chronic and progressive condition and read somewhere that yoga and meditation might help her find acceptance. Georgina wanted just a few private yoga sessions with me, so she could learn some basics and practice by herself. That was about 4 years ago. Georgina attended support groups, had many medical appointments, had family and friends and loved to travel, so her heart and diary were pretty full.
As physical Georgina’s health deteriorated and her mobility reduced; her spirit and resilience soared. Through lockdowns she pivoted, leant into her practice more. She adapted to online sessions, had strength and confidence in herself to practice without me physically there to spot her, in case of a mis step or stumble.
Yoga is a lifelong practice, one with the sole aim to unite body and mind and I have never before witnessed that total an utter union. Georgina would tell me that her condition had at times brought her gifts, and one being a yoga practice. Her practice. She didn’t just hear about the throat chakra being a centre for communication, an area that is energised by the heart centre, so our words can be truthful and heart felt. She lived and spoke that. Honest and open conversations with doctors, professionals, family and friends. Far from allowing the injustice of her situation close her, she allowed her energetic heart to grow bigger and let more people in. In the height of her suffering, she genuinely loved people and her life more. Who does that!? I know I can feel really aligned, really connected and loving at the end of a yoga class, but a silly trivial thing happens and I can be snappy.
I was a companion to Georgina, right to the end of her life. She’s the most embodied yogi I’ve ever met (including myself). She’s an inspiration because she took the practices we might read about or enjoy in a class, and lived them fully. The lessons from her which will last my lifetime are;
- What matters in the end? When our time comes, what truly matters in the end is the depth of your relationships and that everyone you love; knows that.
- You’re not on your own; seek and receive support. That it takes a strong woman, mother, wife, sister, grandmother to reach out and be supported by other women.
- It doesn’t make sense to be angry at your body.
- To be curious about pain, that you are meant to feel it. To not try to take all pain and discomfort away, or doubt your ability to handle it. Life can be painful, love is the balm.
- That one single person can be a bright light to another. Georgina would say I was an inspiration to her, not perhaps realising what a huge impact she’s had on me.
The yoga sutras talk about chitta vrtti, which is calming the fluctuations of the mind. I’m not advanced in my practice as Georgina was, but the previously turbulent waters of my mind are infinitely calmer now I can yield and actually let things wash over and through me. To ride the waves of sensations and reactions and dive deeply into the beauty and chaos of this lifetime.
The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationship. I’m not sure I ever shared those words with Georgina. I guess that speaks to their inherent truth. I know she’d be delighted her story has been shared in this way. She’d laugh and cover her face with her hands if she knew what an inspiration she has been to me, and now you.
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Rosie Lux
Senior Yoga Teacher