One time I attended a large neighborhood Christmas dinner that was beautiful. It took place in the mountains at a huge hidden lodge decorated with big Christmas trees, miles of garland and an enormous crackling fire. My husband and I sat next to some neighbors we did not know too well, but were happy to meet a fun couple in our area. When it was time for us to line up to fill our plates with traditional Christmas foods I heard our new friend whisper to his wife, “ugh, the smell of this ham is giving me a headache.” Thinking nothing of it, we filled our plates with potatoes, rolls, ham and salad, while our neighbors filled theirs with all but the ham.

Yes, our new friends were vegetarians. After we sat and talked for awhile we learned that he was very involved with ashtanga yoga. He had studied with some of the best in the world and shortly after attending a retreat where they were fed only vegetarian meals, they had decided that this habit of eating suited their family the best. Feeling a bit embarrassed I finished the last bit of ham on my plate while my husband announced, “oh, Carolyn is really good at yoga, she even has a DVD out.” I then explained the type of yoga I am involved in (ashtanga as well, but with a little more of a western kick to it). I did not want him to think I was a nobody who just thought yoga was cool. I wanted him to know I was smart and really knew my stuff when it came to yoga even though I still eat meat (not to mention refined sugars.) But then I reminded myself of one of the great laws of yoga. Yoga is what you want it to be. It morphs with your lifestyle, your religious convictions, your physical abilities, whatever. This is the reason I like it so much. I don’t have to worry about what other people think of me when I practice yoga, in fact in yoga classes it is important to only focus on what is happening on your mat- no one else’s. I resolved at that moment that I didn’t care if he had studied longer or with more gurus, I knew I was at a level I was proud of. Through this experience, I learned once again, that it does not matter what others think of you, as long as you’re happy with what’s inside.