Have you heard of the Persian flaw? It was an intentional flaw introduced into something, possibly into a rug or other work, acknowledging that we are all imperfect.

I love this idea of humility. When we accept a misgiving in our character, then we don’t have to worry about perfection. It keeps us humble.

When I teach or practice yoga, I accept in myself that I have many flaws. I do my best in classes to not appear invincible. I know I have flaws and I accept them.

I remember having two yoga students who would practice side-by-side. They were the Yin to the other’s Yang. One was super flexible; she could do all the binds and funky poses. But when it came to very strong poses, like one-legged crow pose, she struggled. Whereas my other student could do one-legged crow, handstands, all the strength stuff, but could barely fold forward. It is a perfect example of how strength and flexibility work hand in hand.

I knew of a yoga teacher who seemed to have everything. She had both strength and flexibility. She could do very amazing things with her body. She was also very smart, experienced, and a great yoga teacher. In the yoga studio, she was as perfect as a teacher could be. But socially is where it fell apart. Within the four walls of her home is where her flaws rose to the surface. The bane of her existence was what lurked in the shadows of her solitary darkness.

The Apostle Paul in the Biblical realm had a seriously terrible history. But he ended up writing half the New Testament and is a major player in the modern church today. Yet he had an unknown issue with an "affliction in his side". It was a pain that he said kept him humble. It kept him from the easy road to pride. Pride can be the most devastating character flaw of all. It keeps you from being humble and accepting flaws in others because you are always striving to be better than everyone else. Pride is what caused the most beautiful angel in heaven from falling from glory and being the thorn in the side of all mankind.

My title is "Get It Together". But it really should be, accept who you are. Yes, if you have a vice that you need to work on, work on it. But don’t try to hide and be ashamed of who you are. And by all means, never think you are perfect or continually strain toward perfection. Its an allusion of vanity.

Krishnamachurya, the Father of Modern Yoga, said "If I say I am a Guru, I am no longer a yogi". There is truth in that.