Living Yoga

Karma has many explanations from varying traditions and conjures up certain images in my mind.  Hindu gods, people doing charity work and Boy George dancing in the video for “Karma Chameleon,” which of course then makes think of chameleons.  My definition of Karma is simply what goes around comes around.

Karma Yoga is the action of doing an activity without expecting anything in return.   Whether it’s washing the dishes or volunteering at a soup kitchen, that’s very hard to do.  At least for me.  I mean, I get something out of everything I do, right?

One of my clients asked me why Karma Yoga is part of the requirements to complete a yoga teacher training program at some studios.  Probably the most accurate answer is that yoga schools need free labor and their students are around and really want that certification.  When I did my Karma Yoga it wasn’t actually that Karmic because I was doing it for my certification requirements.  Hmmmm.  So I guess I never really achieved Karma Yoga then?  My client then told me that him and his family performed Karma Yoga when they went to Israel to volunteer at hospitals in January.  They went without expecting anything but simply to give their time and energy to good causes.  The joy they got out of it was far greater than any other vacation they had.  So in the end, they got back what they gave even though they didn’t expect it.

After that conversation with my client I thought about all the activities I do like teaching group fitness classes, auditioning, socializing and the expectations I have from each.  As I do each I’m learning to let go of some expectations and just give instead.  It’s difficult but life is so much more enjoyable that way.

What expectations can you let go of?