spinning the straw into gold

Last weekend I taught several workshops in Berlin with the theme of "spinning the straw into gold" or how we can use our difficulties for our personal growth. Doing yoga will not make our problems go away, it rather redefines the relationship we have with them. The philosophy is very much: "What is in the way is the way." When we engage with our obstacles in a wakeful manner, we can use them as an opportunity to uncover more layers in our process. Frequently, we just want our issues to go away quickly, so that we can "get on with our lives". However, when we investigate our problems, stay with our difficulties and feel into them more carefully and with an open and curious mind, we can transform and shift on many different levels. We can ask ourselves what is this situation teaching me. What is this problem asking me to let go of? What are the lessons I can learn from this?
 
People and situations are really there to teach us and difficulties are our allies on our path of spiritual growth.