Life is Yoga: March 2008

Padmasana represents springtime to me. At the end of the Astanga closing sequence, you see three versions of this pose to finish and seal the practice: Badha Padmasana (Bound Lotus), Padmasana (Lotus), and Ut Plutihi (Lotus Flying Up). The first one represents the compact and intense energy of a bulb of a flower. In padmasana, the plant begins to break the surface of the ground or, in the case of lotus, the water. Then the plant in the final stage blooms gorgeously before dying back (savasana). This cycle is repeated many times. This process is the symbol for the cycles that naturally occur in our bodies, our lives, and with the seasons. We can’t just bloom, bursting with energy, all the time. We all need a certain amount of down time. Time that is dedicated to resting and gathering strength and energy.

The winter months are certainly the months to be recharging, resting more, and doing less. As the days get longer, you can feel that surge of energy and with it, hopefully, a bit of inspiration. It is important to know and expect those rhythms in your practice as well. You will go through periods where you feel like nothing new is happening. You are not making progress, or it feels really, really hard. Then, often out of nowhere, and especially when you stop trying to make it change, there is a surge and a change in your energy, focus, and commitment. Those ups and downs in your practice are not only normal, but absolutely necessary. What is important is that you recognize the signs of the need to slow down and back off. If you don’t, you can injure yourself, get sick, or just burn out.

I just finished nine days of teacher training that were exhilarating and intense. I spent some of that time explaining the difference between teaching yoga and practicing yoga. When you teach yoga, your energy is focused outwards to the students. You are reaching out your attention, watching, listening, and guiding the class. In comparison, when you practice yoga, the whole goal is to focus all of your attention not out but in, with the assistance of the breath (listening to the sound), drishti (focusing on one point), and the bandhas (the sensations in the center of the body). Like teaching yoga, your real life requires lots of outward focus. You often have stimulation in the form of sound, light, and touch coming at you constantly. The goal in your practice and, ultimately, in your life is to diminish this potential overstimulation through the internal focus described above (sometimes refered to as “being centered”). If you make that your goal, I guarantee you that your practice will continue to improve your life and you will find progress in the asanas when you least expect it.

I, for one, am looking forward to a spring filled with light, warmth, new life, and new challenges. I have made a commitment to myself and others to make efforts when I can, to effect positive change in the world. There are times when I feel inspired and full of energy and times when I feel depleted. One thing I know is that I am no good to anyone if I am exhausted. The outward focus of my job and my life requires balance. Each of us needs to figure out what things are absolutely necessary to stay rested and centered. For me, it is time with my husband and sons, yoga practice, walks with my dog, Luna, and, hopefully, a nap every once in a while!

Please check out some of the exciting things that are happening this month at O2. I wish you lots of energy, inspiration, balance, and of course lots of O2 Yoga this spring!

Peace,
Mimi

 

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