Sat Nam,

Last week I listened to Brené Brown’s podcast with Glennon Doyle where she talks about her book Untamed and it got me at my core.

She shared a story about a Cheetah called Tabitha that she had watched at the zoo doing a cheetah run.  They had tamed this cheetah by having her grow up with a Labrador called Minnie.  They taught her to chase a Jeep with a pink bunny tied to it.  She never actually caught the bunny and was rewarded with a steak at the finish line.

Afterwards in her enclosure she was pacing the periphery and Glennon imagines having a conversation with Tabitha asking her what she’s feeling.  Tabitha says she’s imagining a better life for herself with Savannah’s, running in open spaces, being wild and free.  Then she imagined Tabitha who had only known captivity thinking herself crazy to long for something she has never known and to be grateful for the good life she has.  And Glennon says to her “you’re not crazy, you’re a goddamn cheetah!”

Well that moment on the hill at Clovelly I cried.  I cried for the cage I know I have been pacing.  I cried for all the yearnings inside of me that I’ve pushed down.  I cried for allowing myself to settle for less than I’m worth.  I cried because I am that cheetah.

All my life I had this voice in my head say there’s got to be more than this.  I’m constantly told by myself and others that I have a good life, I should be grateful and I am but that whisper has never left me.

I have an idea of what I want, I can feel it and taste it but it hasn’t come into full form yet.

Suffice to say I’ve started reading the book.

I’m also using this downtime to clean out my real and energetic cupboards to make space for the new.  I’ve stopped trying to make the things I thought I needed to happen and I’m allowing for things to evolve into that place my imagination already knows exists.

I’m untaming myself.

After note: the photo is one I took a few years back whilst in an enclosure with a cheetah on a photography expedition.  The cheetah was pissed off and I just wanted to get out of that enclosure.  I think I knew then what the cheetah was thinking but it wasn’t until Glennon put it into words that I really understood.  We all yearn for something that is only imagined.  We are all that cheetah.

So what is your imagination telling you?  What are you yearning for?

I’m missing seeing you in class but until then (which hopefully will be soon!?) join me in class online at www.sydneyyogacollective.com.  All info is on the website.

I’m also running one on one online coaching and yoga sessions.  If you’re interested reply to this email for a chat.

Or just reply to say hi!  I’d love to hear from you. ?

See you on the mat. ❤️

Love,

Adette