So ive been doing AYP since last March very consistently. And I have been a smoker all my life.....
But my love for yoga has always persisted. Started AYP during a push to quit last year and it was very powerful. I fell in love with the purification....it was the first time I was conscious of what seemed like real progress along the path.
Well, I fell back in and out of the smoking trap, being triggered by my very stressful career choice. During times of abstinence, I had a few weeks of real bliss in my practice....very pleasurable. But then it seemed to disappear for several months. I really didnt know what kind of a role cigarettes were playing in my lack of balance. I thought I could work around it. Ha.
I know the bliss is supposed to come and go...and not to get attached.
And so I used that time to work on it from that perspective. Finding peace on simply repeating the mantra....nothing more. During December I really tried to prep for a New Years resolution of finally quiting.... I spent serious time writing down why I hated it and needed it out of my life for good.
So its been 6 days...NADA CIGARETTO. I know....not THAT impressive. But a couple days ago the bliss came back in full force. Thank god. I was beginning to think "success" in yoga just wasnt my path.
When the bliss rises up...fills your body...and leaves you floating in your bedroom after a few minutes....you want to thank the universe for this remarkable gift of life.
So thank you Patanjali....and Yogani..and all the other dudes
Smoking has been an incredibly shameful part of my life. If anyone could relate, I hope they know someone else is pushing through too...and it doesnt have to be so hard after all. Much better to trade poison for the bliss.
Much love
