Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: A "Where in Martinez" Yoga Photo Contest Update

We haven't had any entries in our photo contest since we turned it over to you guys, and I'm worried you're afraid of looking ridiculous, getting hurt, or not doing something properly. Trust me, in the process of taking pics for the contest, we did all of the above!

Yoga isn't about the moment of the perfect picture or pose. Yoga is about the millions of times you fall, the millions of times you shake it off, and the millions of times you pick yourself back up. Yoga is about the practice of enduring, of coping, and of finally overcoming. To only post our triumphs as an indication of potential somehow seems hollow without also embracing the beauty in the many times we didn't succeed!

Our very first contest picture was the second time attempting the pose. I don't have any pictures of me flipping over in the FIRST one-legged handstand, or the look on photographer Autumn and fellow teacher Adrienne's faces during that brief millisecond they thought, "This might be the moment the boss cracks her skull open on the concrete." I think it is important to acknowledge, however, that the entire contest was based in a SECOND attempt at something after the first one detoured into a bit terrifying.

Although that moment wasn't documented for posterity, we do have the moment I learned to step back quickly after assisting someone kick-up into an inversion, and Adrienne and I demonstrate why focus is so important in balancing poses. We hope these silly "in-progress" pictures will inspire you to be daring, playful and determined with your yoga!