Free Falling with Yoga

Free Falling into Yoga (With a Parachute, of Course!)
By Linda McCall

My first blog in this series took you along my wild ride into the world of Yoga. Now here we are—halfway through our NRG Yoga Teacher Training—and let me tell you, I’m free-falling deeper into the magic of it all.

But not the “land-in-a-heap-on-the-floor” kind of fall. More like the “skydiving-with-a-parachute-and-screaming-with-joy” kind. That bum-clenching thrill of letting go, the wind in your hair, the giddy uncertainty of not knowing what comes next—but feeling held all the same. That’s Yoga. And trust me, the deeper I go, the more I realise: yoga isn’t just about the poses. It’s about presence. Breath. Mindfulness. And learning to land softly—no matter how high you jump.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” — The Bhagavad Gita

The Truth Wave (Yes, It Dumped Me)

Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of getting slapped around by what I call the “truth wave.” One moment you’re floating peacefully, the next you’re being unceremoniously dumped, tumbling underwater, grasping for air—and when you finally surface, BAM—lesson learned. Welcome to growth, baby.

As I move through my asanas, breathe deeper, and sit with what arises, I’m beginning to absorb the real teachings of Yoga. Not just the physical shapes, but the emotional unwinding. The spiritual nudges. The sneaky surprises. And the full-on “aha!” moments that hit like a yogic thunderbolt.

Yoga NRG Principles (a.k.a. My Mindful Parachute Pack)

Here’s where it gets fun. These Yoga NRG principles are like your skydiving guide: they help you not just jump, but land well. Let me break them down—with a sprinkle of cheek and a whole lot of heart.

☁️ Equanimity
Mental calmness. Composure. Serenity.
It’s that sweet moment when you’re mid-air, wind rushing past your ears, and somehow—you’re still. That’s equanimity. You breathe. You allow. You soften. You let the storm swirl around you, but you don’t get swept up in it.

“Calmness is the cradle of power.” — J.G. Holland

🌤️ Acceptance
The clouds of emotion pass. And behind them? Sunlight.
Acceptance is recognising that where you are, right now, is exactly where you’re meant to be. Emotions are clouds—let them drift by. Don’t cling. Don’t shove. Just observe. Breathe. Feel the sun again.

⏳ Patience
Try to force a rose to bloom and you’ll snap its petals. Same goes for yoga.
Rush through an asana, and you might end up tangled—physically or emotionally. The key? Patience. Breathe through the tight spots. Honour the pauses. Let the parachute open in its own sweet time.

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

🌱 Beginner’s Mind
Remember the thrill of trying something new? That spark? That sense of wonder?
Whether it’s your first sky dive or your first downward dog, this principle invites you to see the world with fresh eyes. Let go of being the expert. Be curious. Be playful. Be open.

🌬️ Non-Striving
Take a breath and enjoy the ride.
It’s not always about pushing harder or going faster. Sometimes, it’s just about being. Floating. Gliding. Trusting the process and taking in the view from up there.

🌈 Non-Judgment
No comparisons. No stories. Just presence.
Judgment clouds the truth. Compassion clears the sky. When we stop competing, we start connecting—to ourselves, and to others.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” — Anonymous (but probably a yogi)

🌊 Letting Go
This is the big one.
Surrendering isn’t weakness. It’s strength in flow. It’s trust in motion. It’s knowing that you don’t have to control everything to be okay. Letting go is freedom.

😄 A Sense of Humour
Never forget this one. Life’s way too weird to take too seriously.
Smile from the heart. Laugh when you fall out of tree pose. Giggle when you forget left from right. Let love be your baseline.

“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” — G.K. Chesterton

So yes, I’m currently free-falling through the eight limbs of yoga, being gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) guided by these principles. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s magical. But it’s mine. And I’ve come to understand that yoga is a very personal adventure—a unique defrag of the mind, body, and soul.

Yoga is helping me trust myself more. It’s helping me feel at home in my body, on the mat, and in the world. As Patanjali said:

“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.” — The Yoga Sutras

And honestly? That stillness—amidst all the chaos—is the real parachute.

So, dear fellow adventurer, if you’re ready to take a breath and leap into your own journey—grab your metaphorical chute and join me. Let’s free-fall into trust, land in self-love, and maybe, just maybe, laugh a little along the way.

Namaste (we are one)
—Linda

But wait, there’s more! I’m not done yet—so come along as I continue defragging my brain and body with the help of yoga… stay tune

Reference : BKS Iyengar light on life, journey into Power Byron Baptiste, Tammy Williams Yoga NRG Principles of Asanas, and me.

By Linda McCall