Frieden.  Pokoj.  Shalom.  Om.  No matter how it’s said or how it’s spelled, the term PEACE is universal.  To me and others, yoga IS peace, and is therefore universal.  When we arrive at a yoga studio we seek peace.  When we are on our mats we develop peace.  When we leave the studio we share peace.  This continues and builds moment after moment, day after day, year after year until we share peace with everyone everywhere.        

These past two years I have had the extraordinary experience of living in Germany.  Not only that, but I have been blessed with the opportunity to practice and teach in my local community.  Yes, almost all Germans speak and understand a great deal of English; however, it’s not the language that has brought us together, but the practice. 

Just last week after completing a Mysore practice in downtown Stuttgart I was talking with the owner in my broken German about yoga.  We shared where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are heading with our practice.  When the owner learned I was also an instructor he asked if I’d like to substitute for him when he is out of town.  “Of course,” I thought, but had to remind him of my limited German.  He replied, “That’s ok, the language of yoga is international”.  He couldn’t be more correct.

So you see, try not to get too stuck on your practice, where you practice, and with whom you practice.  It doesn’t matter if the walls are stark white or blasting with color, or if your teacher is young or old, male or female.  What matters is that you find a safe place, you find your peace, and you share it.  So get out, explore, share, and prepare to experience a peaceful life through your practice.