One of my favorite activities in the world is a post-work yoga practice. Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful 55 minutes of Vinyasa yoga with my roommate, who decided to attend a class with me for the first time. Normally, as I lay down for Shavasana, a subdued elation comes over me as I relax and regroup. However, yesterday was different because I could not shake the feeling that I had gone about the day’s practice incorrectly.

For many of us who grew up playing competitive sports, the need to win was everything. This wasn’t an unusual feeling as our society is predicated on having a winner and a loser in all situations. In business, sports, and even social interactions, the drive to best someone else dictates many of the actions people take. The end result is an ego driven society, which is not what Lucid Practice is all about.

During Savasana I came to the realization that I had been comparing my own practice to those around me. I was looking around the room to see how I stacked up against everyone else’s Warrior 2 pose, instead of concentrating on my own breath. The need to “win” has stuck with me apparently, but instead of being an issue, this awareness is a beautiful opportunity. Now I know what I have to work on, and I can’t wait to get back on the mat and find my own breath, without worrying about winning or losing.

Relax that ego.

Hakuna Matata

Credit to Kev Ollier for the photo