For almost two centuries, running a mile in less than four minutes seemed frustrating out of reach for athletes.
Try as they might, the closest they accomplished was 4 minutes and 1 second in 1945. Many experts and scientist concluded that it was just not possible for the human body to run a mile in less than 4 minutes.
In 1954, a year after Mount Everest was finally climbed, Rodger Bannister, from Oxford England, decided to make it his mission to break the 4 minute mile barrier.
Rodger spent months preparing, training and studying his body's mechanics, always seeing a vision of himself crossing the finish line and breaking the illusive record.
Finally on May 6th 1945, Rodger Bannister crossed the finish line and to everyone's amazement the time was 3:59! He had done it. It was called, "The Miracle Mile."
His record did not last for long. In 6 weeks it was broken again by John Landy of Australia, with a time of 3:58. Today breaking a four minute mile is commonplace and almost a requirement to make most high school track teams.
This story inspires us to contemplate what mental fences and imaginary boundaries we have placed in our lives? What limits do we place on our abilities that keep us from soaring higher and living our life's dreams?
Yoga has a way of humbling us, pushing us right to the edge of our comfort zone; touching our physical and emotional boundaries during our practice. When we do experience those illusive "breakthrough" or "aha" moments, we feel such a sense of accomplishment knowing that yoga just took us farther than we ever thought possible.
In time the same pose (asana) that seemed out of reach, becomes second nature and happens with ease and little effort. This week in your practice, experience your boundaries and begin to push past them.