Dharma

Dharma is a Sanskrit word that has many meanings, one of which can be interpreted to "one's purpose".

This week, I invited those practicing yoga with me in my Gentle Hatha class to think about their purpose, or Dharma. We came to each movement and held each pose with purpose. Questions arose with each pose: "What part of your body are you aware of?", "Do you notice sensations as you focus on the purpose of this pose?", "If you alter your body in one way or another in this pose, does it change the purpose of it?"

Each of these questions invited us to wonder, to notice, and to think about our body and how it moves with purpose. Deepening the mind-body connection through this process of thinking critically about how and why we move on the mat in our practice brings us to an awareness of how we move through our lives off the mat.

Through a guided meditation at the end of class, thoughts began to arise about what our purpose in in life. This practice brought me back to thoughts about my own purpose. I feel as though I am lucky to have found my Dharma at a relatively early age. I explored other options as in my early 20s and resisted becoming a teacher, enough that I left university early, enrolled in college, and intended to get a diploma in fashion merchandising. But I was loudly called back to teaching. I have taught high school music and English for 17 years, private music lessons since I was a teacher, I've taught people to knit and sew. And a few years ago I felt the draw to teach yoga. I feel that my Dharma is to bring the joy I experience in yoga, meditation, knitting, music, literature, and sewing to others. My purpose, my Dharma, in this life is to share the skills that bring me such joy and to teach others with compassion, empathy, and kindness.

What is your Dharma? Have you always known your purpose? Are you still searching?