Who am I?

That question has been brought about by my need to write a profile for my yoga teaching.  Yikes.  But there is an answer to that question than is inappropriate to a yoga profile.
First off, I'm sarcastic.  I use sarcasm as both my weapon and my shield.  There are pieces of my life that I still do not let people into.  There are (were) people in my life that I will still defend to my utmost using said sarcasm.  But a yogi shouldn't be about sarcasm.
Secondly, I'm pretty emotional.  Don't be surprised by that one.  The only emotion I'm in control of at all times - anger.  I'm pretty sure if I let that one out of the bag, there would be some damage done to people I really truly care about.  And I do not want that.  Grief, guilt, sorrow, happy...all of them I let out and on my sleeve.  Anger,  I have.  But cannot direct it at the one person I need to so it's the bystanders that need to be wary.  And a yogi should definitely not let anger guide them.
Third, yoga is not the same thing for me that it is for others.  It's not about removing myself from this cycle of living that I'm tied to because of karma.  It's about a good workout, coupled with 60-90 minutes a day that I can shut down my mind; shut down my emotions; and just be.  Yoga is in this.
The gym and exercise have been my safe place.  Yoga is a continuation of that.  It reminds me that life can be tough and when it gets tough, you just breathe through it and it'll pass.  I've been waiting on the "tough" to pass for over a year now.  I will always carry certain secrets with me.  But I know that right here, right now, is where I belong.  While religious tones of any nature are hard for me to grasp and hold to, I get that I'm not "it."

There's something more out there.  Be it a god or gods, or a guardian angel or the spirit of someone that went before.....
Something is smoothing my edges, working to calm me and working to show me that I can and will live (and love) again.

Darin has practiced yoga for over 10 years.  His original practice focused on improving his overall joint health for running and not on the full impact yoga has.  He took the steps in 2012 to reclaim his life, to reclaim his happiness and along the way, he rediscovered yoga.  That discovery reminded him of his passion to teach, to help others and to somehow, if at all possible, help someone else on their journey.
With his path into teaching, Darin believes that yoga can and should be something different for each of us - taking from the mat that which we need the most and giving back that which we do no need or want.  His energy is contagious and his love for both yoga and student shines through in his teaching.  His desire to  help others along their path is founded in hope and in the desire to lift the next up.  He stands for something and someone that is greater than all.  And Darin compares himself to a dolphin, where dolphins make everything fun.  Because after all, #workisplay and #playiswork.