Yoga Diary: Iron Yogi

A grueling race inspires a calm awareness of being.

By Lentine Zahler and Kate Holcombe

The sun radiates heat off the lava fields, distorting the figures of the riders ahead. I had thought to practice dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation) as I navigated the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run between the start and finish lines of the Ironman World Championship, but my mind is off center. I am discouraged. The wind, sun, and sea have punished my body. My hopes for a fast finish are crushed; my competitive spirit has been beaten down.

I bring myself back to my breath. A whimper grows into a quivering Om: low, undetected by others over the sounds of the wind and the spinning bike wheels. My frustration lifts as the speed, strength, and rhythm of my legs return. Another Om: On inhalation, I fill my body with acceptance of myself as an athlete and a human being in this moment. On exhalation, I remind myself to push comfortably with my breath, and I smile, joyful in this marvelous landscape. Soon, my ride is over, and I am in my running shoes, gliding along the course.

I am proud of my healthy body for responding exactly as I ask during each intense moment of this day. Some athletes pass me, and I pass others, with smiles and nonjudgment, as we explore the limits of the human body and spirit together. Now, the brilliant moon illuminates the finish line. The thrill of the achievement will break my meditation in just a few minutes, but in this moment, I have found my samadhi.

Be all You Can Be

When faced with a challenge, a helpful mind-set can be found in the concept of Ishvara pranidhana, or nonattachment to the fruits of one's actions. As the ancient sage Patanjali says in 2:1 of the Yoga Sutra, Ishvara pranidhana can be a powerful practice that affects the way we approach every action we take. Patanjali advises us to focus on the quality of an act, rather than on its outcome, leaving the "fruits" of our actions to something greater. From this perspective, everything we do becomes an opportunity for practice: We do the very best we can, whether we're running a race, giving a big presentation, or doing the dishes. Regardless of the outcome, the mind is calm, clear, and present because our joy comes from the act itself, rather than the result.

Kate Holcombe's teachings apply the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali to daily life. She is the founder and co-director of Healing Yoga Foundation in San Francisco.

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