Not very much, is the short answer :-). However, in my philosophical mind, there are actually many parallels and lessons that can be applied.
For those of you who don’t know, I recently started learning to paraglide. Something I’ve been dreaming of doing for 20 years is finally becoming a reality - but the journey is not what I expected. To my own surprise, I’m facing many fears, my anxiety is kicking in quite a lot, and I’m finding it all much more difficult than I had anticipated.
Just to paint a picture - before my first solo flight, I almost couldn’t sleep at night (which never happens to me). However, a wise friend told me: “It’s about feeling all the fears but not nurturing them.” That, combined with three meditations in the morning, gave me the strength to fly for the first time—and this is how my journey began. Now, after completing 24 solo flights, I feel more secure, but I still have a long way to go…
Anyway, back to my original question - what does paragliding have to do with yoga?
As I’m still learning, there are many days or times when I can’t fly because the conditions are too strong for me, and I need the support of an instructor. However, what I can do is practise on the ground - something called ground handling. Many pilots think it’s too boring, but one can learn a lot from it and really improve the technique. So, whenever I’m in a suitable place, I try to get in some practice.
Sometimes the conditions are too strong even for ground handling, but I simply say to myself: “I’m going to open my paraglider and see what we can do.” Sometimes, I get two hours of solid practice; other times, I ‘fight’ with the glider, get pulled along the ground, collect new scratches on my body, and pack it away. But every time I open the glider, I learn something new.
And it’s the same with yoga.
All you can do is open your yoga mat and see what happens. One day, you might do a full 90-minute class or master a challenging posture; another day, just a few gentle stretches or a three-minute meditation. Sometimes, all your body is capable of is savasana (deep relaxation). However, simply by unrolling your mat, you are making progress.
Maybe not the kind of progress you want. Maybe not the kind you see on Instagram. But it’s your own progress, and your body, mind, and soul are grateful for it.
This is why learning to paraglide reminds me of yoga. Because learning a new skill is hard. Showing up is hard. Being consistent is hard. But it does pay off. Small, steady steps forward really do add up over time.
So, just as I’m going to open my paraglider- even when I can’t fly, even when I can’t even practise on the ground - because I know I’ll still learn something new, I invite you to open your yoga mat and see what happens.
Without expectations. Without pressure. Just open the mat and be present. Your body will tell you what it wants and needs. And I promise you, doing this regularly will help you grow as a person immensely.
To us all…
Let’s have the courage to turn up.
Let’s have the curiosity to explore and grow.
Let’s be present, supported, and guided.
In yoga, paragliding, and in life.
Love, light, and peace to all. Daria x
P.S. If you are looking for ways to show up, here are your opportunities to join me on the mat this week:
Tuesday 6 - 7.30 pm Kundalini Yoga class
Thursday 6 - 7 am - Jupiter Kriya Meditation for Prosperity
Thursday 7.15 - 8.45 pm Kundalini Yoga class
Sunday 8 - 9 pm Meditation class
Join here https://highonyoga.co.uk/onlinekundaliniyogamembership