It was Friday night.
I was walking alone through the Third Street Promenade, an area in Santa Monica where people hang out, go to restaurants, stores, and enjoy being out in the air with friends.
There I was, alone. But with my yoga mat under my arm, it felt good to know I had somewhere to go.
Fresh out of a long term relationship, I had a limited number of friends and I was feeling a strong sense of lonliness. In one moment, I felt alone with nothing to do and no one to do it with, yet in the next moment I felt complete.
The fact that I was going to Yoga was such a comfort to me…for the first time, I thought of Yoga as my friend.
Yoga isn’t just something you do, it is a tangible effect that comes forth out of something one is committed to.
Yoga is literally a gift I’ve given myself—the cultivation of my yoga practice has given me something I can count on in times where I need to nurture ME.
Just like any other relationship, practicing Yoga hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
There have been frustrating and challenging times as well as euphoric and fulfilling times.
I could have given up on it a while ago and looked around for some other challenge to take on, but I stayed with it and just keep riding its waves of pleasure and pain.
Just like a friendship, Yoga is a practice and a process.
Anyone who has practiced yoga knows that it is a journey that takes courage and grace to navigate.
I had a friend on Friday night. Yoga was the friend that showed up for me. I am so thankful I have taken the last 21 years to invest in me—something I could count on being there when I need it most.
I had a friend to hang out with on Friday night and that friend was me–on my mat!
Hiking Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Monica Mountains 
… I know that feeling – come with me to Friday night Yoga in Topanga 6pm – I go every week – and then you’ll have yoga and me as a friend … (we can go for a drink after – water of course … and Margarita if its been a hard week – or a good week – or a weak week) … xx
I like this post Tara- I think I felt that way Saturday night as I was shopping 3rd street promenade 🙂 and Yoga does the same thing for me saturday mornings!!
Too funny, I was just re-reading this post 5 minutes ago. You must’ve been reading it at the same time. Yeah, it is such a gift isn’t it? Thanks for reading 🙂
Thank you Tara for sharing this post again, from 8 years ago. The way you present yoga as being a friend and smothing that hasn’t always being smooth sailing, is inspiring. I left my fitness ‘life’ years ago because of an experience that “I” allowed to taint my ‘friend’. My fitness experience has been dormant since, but recently I started to accept that gift back into my life. Reading about your experience is eye opening and a profound way of viewing yoga as tangible and an internal friend.
I felt like that many nights walking down a NYC street on my way to yoga watching all of the happy people eating at outdoor cafes. I think I may have an addiction to my Yoga Mat it is always open in the middle of the living room. I love the focus I can get in yoga and all of the creative expression I draw from it. Its a good feeling when you know you take good care of yourself even when times are rough! Cheers Mate!
Exactly. I feel like I love myself just a little more when I get on my yoga mat!