My best friend (pictured) and I recently attended a women’s yoga retreat in Sonoma. We were excited to have a weekend getaway and enjoy the Sonoma wine. I think we walked away with much more than some quality friendship time and a more sophisticated palate; we were able to truly discover the power in partnerships.
Pictured above you can see the beauty of a Virabhadrasana I partner pose, but there are so many other layers than what meets the eye. Let’s dive into those layers.
First, what is your partnership with yourself? Do you trust yourself? How do you treat yourself? How do you talk to yourself? Do you honor your body and mind?
In my experience I trusted myself and no one else in my life (a true trauma response). Though I didn’t trust anyone, I still treated myself worse than others might have. I would tell myself stories–all negative things–and of course I believed them. Afterall, I couldn’t trust anyone else to tell me the truth. Hindsight: I wouldn’t treat or speak someone else the way I treated or spoke to myself. Ever.
So no, I didn’t honor anything about myself at all.
If I’m honest, it took me quite some time (and I mean decades) to get to a place where I am able to appreciate who I am and what I have to offer, without seeking external validation. Some can get to a good place much quicker, which I applaud. I also applaud those who are on what may feel like a never ending journey. Our journeys are ours alone, so no need for comparison.
How did I get here, finally healthy? Through partnerships. I have some amazing people in my circle who have shown me nothing but love, consistently and without judgement. We are gritty, soft, honest, and open with each other.
Do you have a true partner?
Some can get through their darkest moments in a solitary fashion. For some of us it is refreshing to have a partner to get us through those times and feel a true sense of security when we can’t muster up our own strength.
Who is someone you would turn to in a time of need? Who can hold you accountable to show up for yourself? A partner can be a friend, significant other, neighbor, therapist, teacher, yoga mate, or a colleague. Aside from being brutally honest with you, you need a partner who will “get” you. Someone who recognizes and respects your boundaries; knows what gets you fired up; someone who is uplifting and safe.
How does this apply to yoga?
Having a partner in your yoga practice offers accountability, support, encouragement, and likely a few laughs. A yoga partner is one who show up on the mat or in a chair session and will take the journey with you. Through partnership you will find strength where there was weakness, beauty in the ordinary, and music where there was silence.
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