On My Own

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If ever there was a safe, warm, supportive place to grow your yoga practice, it's the Yoga Journal office. There's a yoga class every day for staff led by an amazing, seasoned teacher (a different teacher and style each day of the week). When you have a minor injury or pose question, you can simply take a stroll through the office and ask your co-workers if any of them have any experience with it (someone always does). And when your work stresses you out, no one even blinks an eye at you when you go into the conference room for a quick handstand to help you clear your head.

Yesterday was my last day as the online editor at Yoga Journal magazine. And I'm scared as the dickens that the yoga practice I've spent the last 4 1/2 years building will go down the drains. All the time I've been there, it was so easy. My teachers were chosen for me. I never had to pay for a yoga class. Everyone around me was so immersed in yoga culture, I started talking about asanas and yoga philosophy like it's a part of everyday life. But for people outside of the yoga world—where I'm headed—that's just not true.

Of course, all the things that made it easy, also made me take my yoga practice for granted. When it's everywhere you look, somehow it just doesn't mean quite as much. It's not the respite from the world that it could be. I know it was making me lazy, which is why I started this blog.

And even though, I'll be on my own in many ways—finding my own teacher, making time for practice out of a busy, non-yoga day, maybe even practicing at home—I'm thankful I've found a virtual community that will be a support and comfort.

Do you have any advice for a spoiled yogi looking to do some rehab?