Here's a little secret, dear yogis and yoginis: I've been seriously slacking on my yoga practice these days. Lots of things have come into play: work is really busy these days, my knee is injured, I'm tired, it's cold out, I'd rather go home and eat Annie's Mac & Cheese while watching "Project Runway." I just can't muster up the energy to practice. What I struggle with is this: is my body telling me it's time to rest, or am I relying on excuses to keep me from what yoga is all about - the daily, consistent practice of showing up?

I met with a wise yoga teacher recently who smiled when I told her my knee was really wonky these days. "Injuries," she said, "are often our bodies ways of communication to the mind that we must slow down." How smart, I thought! I've been running around like a crazy person this autumn, and I deserve a break. But taking a time out from the physical practice doesn't mean our yoga ends. She gave me a simple breathing exercise to do - 16 easy breaths a day - and still, I'm struggling to do it every day. So why am I fessing up here in this blog? Because I know I'm not alone and I also know it's okay to go through these moments of utter inactivity. I'm not going to get down on myself but rather just keep trying. Because it's the trying, I believe, that is what this practice is all about.

With that, I am going to go to a yoga class tonight. I'm going to breath. And I'm going to share this lovely Rumi poem that I often come back to when lethargy sets in. Go easy on yourself, yogis. You are the practice, whether you realize it or not.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.