/wanderlust/- a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about
I just had the absolute pleasure of experiencing my first Wanderlust 108 Festival last week. To say it was exhilarating would be an understatement!
Wanderlust 108 is the world’s only mindful triathlon. The day began with a 5k around Downtown Dallas, followed by a swinging dance party hosted by MC Yogi, which flowed into an invigorating yoga class and capped off with a mindful guided meditation.
It was incredibly humbling to be around such an amazing group of people. Lots of high fives were shared, lots of hugs and not to mention, lots of sweat poured!
To my surprise, the event was the push I needed to begin running. I never found enjoyment when I tried track in school and always blamed my lack of endurance and stamina. Now I realize that it’s essentially the same excuse as when someone says, “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible.” So this marked my foray in to the running world. I have been running thrice a week and when I say running, I actually mean I walk for 2 minutes and run for a minute (heh). Baby steps. I mean, I didn’t enter my first yoga class and attempt to handstand.
So here I am, trying to be a more rounded yogi. I have come to appreciate running. Amidst panting for dear life and aching hamstrings, I noticed that it is a beautiful complement to my asana practice. Where one is rather focused on stretching and lengthening, the other is focused on strengthening and supporting. And if that isn’t balance, I don’t know what is.
Which brings me back to this aspect of wanderlust. I have been so blessed to be able to travel to various places around the world and it obviously aroused this insatiable desire to keep moving. Not just in the sense of seeing other places but in this way of traveling and weaving within yourself to unravel and tap on your potential. And I think that’s what running did to me. I felt something unlock within that brought this equilibrium that I didn’t even know I needed.
Accordingly, I am grateful. Grateful for discovering yoga. Grateful for Wanderlust. Grateful for unending potential.
Natasha Iris 