“The Path Within: Humility, Strength, and the Removal of Obstacles”

Mantra:

“When I bow in humility, I rise in wisdom.”
(Alternate: “Through humility, I open the gate within.”)

Opening Reflection

There is a quiet strength that comes from humility — not the kind that makes you smaller, but the kind that opens you to something greater.
The ego says, “I already know.” The humble heart says, “Teach me.”

Every time we step onto the mat, life invites us into that sacred unlearning. The asanas aren’t about achievement; they are mirrors reflecting our inner landscape — the places we resist, the places we strive, and the places we soften.

As David Scott reminds us, “Letting go of your need to achieve is the hardest asana.”
In that letting go, we uncover something far more powerful than perfection — presence.
So tonight, may your practice be not about what you can do, but what you can discover.

Metaphor: The Mountain and the Valley

All streams flow to the sea because the sea rests lower than them.
The valley receives the rivers because it does not try to rise above them.
Humility is like that — it makes us spacious enough to receive the wisdom life has been trying to offer us all along.
When we live in the valley of openness, life flows through us with ease.

Topic 1 – The Mirror of the Mat

Reflection:
Every pose is a mirror, showing us where we resist and where we release.
When we let go of trying to look perfect, we start to feel whole.
Asana becomes an exploration rather than a performance.

Quotes:

“The asanas are useful tools for mapping and exploring your inner world.” – David Scott

“You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” – Anonymous

“In truth, yoga doesn’t take time – it gives time.” – Yogi Bhajan

Topic 2 – Humility: The Ladder to Divine Understanding

Reflection:
Humility is not about lowering yourself; it’s about lifting your perspective.
It is standing tall without standing above.
When pride looks down, it sees others as obstacles; when humility looks up, it sees life as guidance.

Quotes:

“Humility is the ladder to divine understanding.” – David Scott

“All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.” – Lao Tzu

“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton

Topic 3 – Ganesha: The Teacher of Obstacles

Reflection:
In yoga philosophy, Ganesha is the remover of obstacles — but also the one who places them before us, so we may learn our strength.
Sometimes life doesn’t block our path; it redirects us toward our true one.
Our task is not to curse the obstacle but to bow to it — for it may be the very thing that teaches us who we are.

Quotes:

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Molière

“Our biggest obstacles are often caused by ourselves.” – Yogic teaching on Ganesh Mudra

“Today’s tears water tomorrow’s gardens.” – Matshona Dhliwayo

Topic 4 – The Broken Tusk: Letting Go of Perfection

Reflection:
Ganesha’s broken tusk reminds us that strength is not symmetry.
He kept what was useful and let go of what was not.
The same applies to our practice — we don’t need to be flawless to be divine.
Our imperfections are where grace enters.

Quotes:

“Falling is easier than rising.” – Irish Proverb

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway

“The gentle outlast the strong, the obscure outlast the obvious.” – Lao Tzu

Topic 5 – The Pause Between Reaction and Response

Reflection:
There is a sacred moment — a single breath — between stimulus and response.
That pause is where mastery lives.
When we meet challenge with awareness instead of ego, we dissolve the obstacle rather than fight it.
This is the practice of humility in motion.

Quotes:

“Take a pause between stimulus and response.” – David Scott

“It only takes seconds to hurt someone, but it can take years to repair the damage.” – David Scott

“True detachment isn’t separation from life but the absolute freedom within your mind to explore everything with no limits.” – Anonymous

Topic 6 – The Journey Within

Reflection:
We spend so much of life searching outward — for validation, success, or answers — only to discover that what we seek has always been within us.
As David Scott writes, “Your destiny has always been waiting there for you to enjoy, but you have always searched so hard out there, when it was in here all along.”

The longest and most meaningful journey we will ever take is the one inward.
Every obstacle, every fall, every humble moment on the mat is part of that sacred return home.

Quotes:

“Every person you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.” – David Scott

“Touch your inner space, as silent and empty as the sky… Once you settle in your inner sky, you have come home.” – Osho

“Stay hungry, stay curious, and above all, stay humble.” – Anonymous

Closing Reflection

In the end, yoga is not about mastering the pose — it’s about mastering the self.
Each time you bow, you rise a little higher in understanding.
Each time you meet challenge with humility instead of pride, another door opens within.

So tonight, bow not in defeat, but in awakening.
May your humility become your power,
your breath become your guide,
and your heart become your teacher.

Mantra for Class

“When I bow in humility, I rise in wisdom.”