R.I.P. to my first yoga buddy

moms are forever

R.I.P. to my mom. She passed away less than a month ago but she will always be my mom, so Happy Mother’s Day to her, too. It’s a day of mixed feelings and just missing her on this important day.

When I tried out yoga classes back in the 90’s, my mom was my first yoga buddy. She and I would go to Pacific Cultural Center in my hometown, Santa Cruz, California. I was just a teen looking for some natural ways to manage my asthma and I’d heard that yoga was good for improving your breath. 

I remember that I had planned to do work trade at that cultural center so that I could take classes for free. When I told my mom, she said, “You don’t have to do that. Just do some cleaning around the house and I’ll give you money for yoga.”

It is said that your first gurus in life are your parents. What is a guru? A teacher, or more in line with the Hindu and yoga traditions, a ‘dispeller of darkness.’ My mom was that, even at the toughest of times. She was also a natural yogi: flexible in her approach to life, content, loving towards all, and devoted to the things most important to her. 

Thanks for this life, mom, and for the inspiration you continue to bring me in my memories of you.

Happy Mother’s Day, Yoga Mamas! May you and your moms, and their moms, and their on back through time feel loved and celebrated. Jai Ma!