Don’t Tread On Me

There is no more significant symbol for contemporary yoga practice than the yoga mat. It is more than a tool employed by the yogi. The yoga mat is a metaphor. It represents the space in which our minds might experience some relief from the stress-laden, chaotic, and unpredictable nature of daily life. The yoga mat does more than just provide a sticky surface. The mat defines your space. We personalize our mats to more accurately reflect who we are as practitioners. It is not just about picking the right color. We need to decide if we are going with PVC or an “eco” mat. We also need to decide on size, thickness, portability, and designs on the mat. We might have the latest super-eco, mega-grip, Manduka mat, or a mysore rug, or a $10 PVC mat from Walmart with a picture of a lotus flower on it.

The yoga mat serves as a fence. It separates my space from yours. People cannot put their feet on my mat. They cannot stretch their limbs into “my” yoga space. Crowded yoga workshops and classes offer a hilarious glimpse into the world of private yoga space. Watch people tip-toeing through rows of mats, bobbing and weaving through bolsters and water bottles on their way to the washroom. It is absurd.

The bare floor is public space. Everyone can walk wherever they like. The yoga mat is private space. It is a modern day version of the original tea party motto “Don’t tread on me.” We are practicing loosening the boundaries of the self and learning to experience expansiveness rather than being caught up in a restrictive and skin-limited understanding of the self. And we are doing this from the confines of our personalized, brightly colored, private rectangular yoga spaces.

😆 The irony is striking, isn’t it?

🙏🏼 Namaste, K.