Forward Into Growth
The American psychologist Abraham Maslow is probably best known for his "Hierarchy of Needs" theory which states that basic human needs must be met before seeking social or spiritual fulfillment.
Yesterday, I read this quote by him.
"You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety."
For me, this phrase summed up the link between life, psychology, and the Katonah Yoga® practice.
This week marks the first anniversary of us buying the farm.
I have been reflecting on the enormous amount of work, perseverance, leaps of faith, and deep love that it has taken to get us here. On Maslow's pyramid, we transplanted the grounding and roots for the physiological needs--but there was no hanging back in safety. Instead, we took advantage of conditions for the rest of the hierarchy (love, esteem, self-actualization).
Maslow also coined the phrase "self-actualization" when he thought that psychology didn't take into consideration people's creativity and potential.
Like a pyramid, Katonah Yoga(R) emphasizes foundational work to support the vision.
"Don't build skyscrapers on stilts!"
Likewise, I had heard from many of you that you, too, were not holding back last year when "safety" and "staying home" were on the agenda.
Are you prepared and ready now to take a leap, step out, and put your best foot forward? Did you take care of all of your basic needs so that you can focus on what it is that you actually want?
Katonah Yoga(R) always talks about potential, which is represented by the front body. Unfortunately, to our detriment, "safety" often results in our sitting back on our coccyx (tailbone) or standing with the weight back in the heels.
Thus, in Katonah, we practice getting off of our tails and kicking our own butts--which is really so much nicer than having them kicked by someone or something else. ;)
We practice to open up to our potential and find good solid ground so we may then turn our attention to what our hearts truly desire. We create "true safety" in our practice by establishing a sound foundation and moving forward.
As Maslow said, "You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety."
On a personal note: living on a farm, surrounded by animals, has been a lifelong dream of mine. It took an enormous leap of faith to make that dream a reality. It was a leap out of a life of "safety" and it has resulted in exponential growth.
Progress in our lives is up to us. As long as we dare to move forward (sometimes into the unknown), we can grow. We can continue to form and reform.
Join me this week for some ass-kicking, leaps of faith, and putting our best feet forward yoga.
With so much love,
Kari