- 30 Something
October 26th, 2008
September 2007
I turn 30 this month. This is an important milestone, not because of the number, but mainly because I was about to buy myself a sea foam polka dot hoodie with a unicorn on it, but I paused for a moment and thought — wait, am I too old to rock a unicorn hoodie?
Which brings me to the challenge of labelasana.
There isn’t a big difference between the days of being a 29-year old and 30-dom. The changes — some physical, and others less tangible and more subtle — roll on regardless of any number. Yet I realized when I doubted my fashion decision, maybe I was subconsciously practicing labelasana. Maybe this whole time my subconscious reckoned turning thirty would mean more maturity, stability, and confidence. The qualities the rest of the world may associate with turning thirty. Maybe I’d even have passionate disagreements like the folks on Thirty-Something the show. Or have a friend with a beard like Peter Horton’s character.
Our labeling can be restrictive. Now, if you see yourself as a wonderful friend or a joyous person, go on, good for you! Yet often practicing labelasana doesn’t offer many positives. We define ourselves as a certain kind of person and find strength from that association. But when you think about it, these definitions can weakens us. When we describe ourselves as one way or the other, we neglect other sides to ourselves and exclude the different possibilities in life.
I see labelasana on the mat. Within the openness of yoga, there can be subtle walls. Sometimes yogis see themselves as vinyasa practitioners and wouldn’t dare dip into a gentler asana class. Some people decide they will try yoga for the exercise and have no intent of learning about philosophy. Some people label themselves as yoga people and have to work hard to uphold what others may consider actions or opinions of “yoga people.”
A powerful practice might be to jump inside to see if you’ve been doing some labeling. Play with stepping outside of the label and see what you find. My guess? A freedom that can be both a relief and liberating.
Plus unicorns are awesome.
Enjoy the fall, everybody!
Namaste, Carolyn K
