The Dalai Lama is baffled by the Western concept of low self-esteem.  It does not exist in the Tibetan Buddhist culture, and yet it is the root of much mental anguish here in the weathy nations of the West.  It may be that self-esteem is a by-product of a competitive, upwardly striving culture where we are appreciated only for what we achieve or produce, rathen than for who we are.    Says Marianne Williamson: Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts.

A regular practice of yoga is one of the ways back to our essential nature, to the love we are born with.  We don't have to be 'good' at it because we already are good at being human. In my classes, I invite students to let go of body concept, who is doing what around them and any preconceived notions of what they 'should' be doing there or getting out of their practice. We focus on the moment, accepting what manifests, the possibility of change and growth. We are relearning, step by step, to love ourselves once again.