I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhibit my days
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as a seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.
-Dawna Markova

Healthy risks remind of us the miracle of our mortality, the splendor of life. And many times when we are challenged, it is hard not to fall into an immediate response of stress. How can we step back and soften, set up a firm foundation of support as we grow out of our perceived limitations or boundaries? Yoga has a way of bringing us to the edge of our comfort zone and reminds us of the essential opening that is required of our minds, hearts, and bodies. For me, there are poses in my yoga practice that make my heart pound at the thought of doing them. My muscles tighten up and my focus wavers. My innate goodness is always there, always accessible, no matter if I fall flat on my face or not. My ego risks more than my physical body. More and more, I have learned to soften my mind and body by focusing on the breath and then setting up a firm foundation. This foundation is always rooted in the support of my teachers, fellow students, and my physical and mental focus. The real challenge is applying this to life off the mat. “Soften and set your foundation,” I often hear the voice of my teachers say. How do you open yourself to the unknown in your life? What happens when you bring breath awareness and softness into an uncomfortable situation? Notice the outcome and open yourself to the possibilities.