Why Yoga Mat Fire?

Yoga Mat Fire is the name of my web site and my teaching platform. There are many reasons I chose the name, not the least of which is that when I practice I sweat like crazy!

But seriously... Over the last couple years it has felt like I haven't merely been stepping onto the mat, but into an alchemical fire. It's indescribable... I'm calling it the Yoga Mat Fire. In these flames I am finding someone I've always been looking for -- my self...

Yoga Mat Fire is a description of a way of being on the mat. It is about intensity and about being fully present. It is about fearlessness and about "showing up" with strength and courage to face ourselves as we are: our strengths and our frailties, our love and our rage.

The Sufi poet Rumi writes that:

Longing is the core of mystery. Longing itself brings "the cure." The only rule is: "suffer the pain."

The Yoga Mat Fire I am talking about burns from the fuel of this longing. We all have it whether we want to deny it or not - it is the truth.

Yoga Mat Fire is about practicing as if this is the last day we will be on earth. Our death is always there with us. When we know and accept this our actions take on a new meaning, our practice does.

Anyone can go to a yoga class and follow along with the instructor and walk out and say "I just came from yoga class." It takes something else to burn the Yoga Mat Fire of which I am speaking. You don't feel the need to tell anyone you just practiced yoga.

They will be able to tell something is different about you anyway. You will be "all there", present, grounded, alive.

That is what all this is about. Let's light the fire and shine brightly for ourselves, our families, our friends, for everyone.

If you want to read more please check out my article about Yoga Mat Fire here.

Seaph Antelmi - Boulder Yoga Teacher