An owner of a yoga studio I worked at once said to me that getting up to teach an empty 7:00 am class was a form of Karma Yoga, or "discipline of selfless action." I, as a young(er) teacher, was not impressed by this "excuse." I did not enjoy getting up so early, and I blamed the time (7:00 am) and the studio (it was fairly new). I blamed everything around me for that experience. I would wake up at 6:00 am, ride my bike to the studio and would be so upset when no one showed up.
I continued to teach and grow as a teacher, and now I can say that I completely agree with her. That empty class was a form of Karma Yoga, for I was giving without expecting a return. At first, without wanting to, for I was not happy with the empty class. But getting up early to teach evolved into a practice of providing a service without expectation on a return, monetary or mentally. It was a beautiful lesson on Aparigraha, or attachment.
There are so many ways we can practice Karma Yoga. Some examples are:
- Volunteering. Giving 2 hours of your time per month is so little. It makes a hell of a difference in someone else's budget or life.
- Teaching for free. Whether it is teaching a free class at a donation based studio, teaching younger teachers to do adjustments, or teaching free meditation to someone who clearly needs it is a great way to practice your skills and helping others at the same time.
- Offering your services to someone as a gift. Whether it is to cook for a sick friend, make a drink for your busy girlfriend, or just offer an ear to someone lonely.
The key to Karma Yoga is to not expect something back. Give your all with full intention, from your heart.
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