During my home practice this morning several thoughts manifested. One in particular stood out.
The predominant word that kept coming up during this practice was “free-flowing”. Here’s why: I found myself trying so desperately to hold on to habits that have worked for a long time but at that moment I realized, it’s time to let it go; to let myself flow freely; hence, “free-flowing”. Perhaps my dance improvisation habits were interfering?
Ahisma = Non-violence Asana = Pose
You see, in dance improvisation, it’s encouraged to discover ‘new movement’ and ‘new movement phrases’. By allowing yourself free-flowing movement, the structure starts to melt away and new ways of moving your body are created. Which is super cool if you’re into it. But today these two ideologies were butting heads in my head.
I was struggling with the idea of having to fit my practice into an ideal structure. This is a structure that I’ve practiced for years, what is done on one side must be done on the second to stay “balanced”. But what if one side doesn’t need what the other needs? So, I decided for today, it’s time to let the flow be free.
Balance is important, I’m not saying otherwise, but isn’t allowing the freedom of movement to flow as it will important too?
My mind was working in symmetries where maybe it didn’t need to. Then the philosophy of the 8 limbs of yoga and the idea of Ahisma came up.
A brief summary of what Ahisma is and what it means from someone who isn’t a yoga philosophy master but enjoys a good discussion.
Ahisma is defined as non-violence. Most people see it as non-violence toward others (people, animals, plants, insects, etc) but it also means non-violence to yourself. Ahisma is love; speaking kindly, acting with kindness and compassion, and letting go of what no longer serves you. (You’ve heard this last one in many yoga classes, I’m sure). Mahatma Ghandi focused his life around the idea of Ahisma and if you’d like to learn more about him check out this website: https://www.mkgandhi.org/
Mahatma Ghandi
B.K.S. Iyengar said in his book The Tree of Yoga,
“Suppose that in performing an asana you are stretching more on the right side and less on the left…There is violence on the right side where you are stretching more, and the left side, where the stretch is less, appears to be non-violent…Though it may appear non-violent, it is also violence as the cells will die when they do not perform their functions as they should. One side thus manifests deliberate violence, and the other side non-deliberate violence.”
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Not doing one side can cause a feeling of being lopsided. But if one side needs a little more or less than the other side and we treat them according to what they need, then we are practicing Ahisma. Or in Iyengar’s words, “What is required is integration between the right and left sides of the body, and this balance of the two sides is true non-violence.”
So, by this reasoning it IS violent to not do one side. Oops. Sorry body. I’ll keep Free-Flowing but on BOTH sides from now on.
Have you ever had an ‘A-ha’ moment during your yoga practice?
Don’t worry if you didn’t.
Not every yoga practice is a life changing moment but instead builds moments to a life change.
After Savasana, I always prompt this:
“Take a few moments to check in with how you feel. How do you feel physically, emotionally, mentally, energetically, and spiritually?”
What does all this mean?
Yoga isn’t just the physical practice. Yes, we get on the mat, we move physically but when we move physically, it effects everything else.
Ever go into a fitness class or dance class in a foul mood but walk out feeling SO MUCH BETTER?? Yeah, it’s because of all the beautiful hormonal changes that happen when we move our bodies…
Moving your body has been scientifically proven to keep us healthy. It creates the happy hormones; Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, & Endorphins.1
Once you stop moving, your body starts to weaken and things start to deteriorate. Physically AND mentally. Because…MOVEMENT IS LIFE.
I digress…(and I gracefully step off my soap-box)
Here’s what I’m really asking you to observe and think about at the end of each practice.
Notice what you feel physically. The good, the not-so-good, and the bad. i.e. tingling, tightness, weakness, stretched out, muscle fatigue, soreness, etc. ~ By taking notice, you learn what poses, what style of yoga, what breath work, and what meditations work for you and your body.
2. What do you feel emotionally? i.e. boredom, excitement, sad, happy, peaceful, or maybe you can’t label what you feel. ~ If a wave of emotion comes up, do your best to experience it, even if it’s uncomfortable. By experiencing it, you’re allowing that energy to release. Releasing allows space for new energies to replace them.
3. What’s going on mentally? i.e. are worries popping up, are you anxious about something, are you thinking about something else or someone else, do you want to stay longer, (Monkey Mind) etc. ~ A big part of practicing yoga, is observing our thoughts. This is the perfect time to do so. Just ‘cause the thought is there, doesn’t mean it’s true or you have to act on it.
4. How do you feel energetically? i.e. are you fidgety, fatigued, sleepy, calm, re-energized, etc. ~ These signals help you figure out if and how the practice helped you, or not.
5. What, if anything, has come up spiritually? i.e. any ‘A-ha’ moments, epiphanies, or personal realizations, any noticeable changes within yourself; how you cope with stress, life changes, beliefs, etc. ~ Sometimes, this is as simple as an answer to a complex issue you were having…maybe how to resolve a relationship issue or how to execute a plan.
I’ll say this: not every practice is going be a life changing epiphany. Sometimes we get these awesome ‘A-ha!’ moments but more often than not, the changes are subtle and appear over time. This is why having a consistent yoga practice is important. Small changes culminate to create awareness and mindfulness.
Have you had an ‘A-ha’ moment during your yoga practice? What light bulb went on for you?
Have an awesome day! Namaste my friends.
1Shah, A., 2020. Happy hormones: 4 chemicals that activate happiness and how to increase them naturally. [online] Everyday Science. Available at: https://www.everydayscience.blog/happy-hormones/ [Accessed 11 June 2021].
Missing that creative spark in your Vinyasa Flow? It stinks to find yourself stagnant and uninspired in your yoga practice; especially if you’re Inversion Free.
Sometimes there is comfort in returning to the same flow. BUT…sometimes you need to change things up.
This Inversion Free Creative Vinyasa Flow does just that. The flow moves at a faster pace all over the mat, facing different directions, and has a circular feel to it.
It’s fun, challenging, and sparks creativity.
Good for experienced or seasoned practitioners. ⚠️Minimal cueing.
Only props you’ll need are for savasana. i.e. Blocks, pillows, bolsters, blankets, etc.
Enjoy! Be well. Remember to breathe. ????????Namaste my friends????????
Tight hips and hamstrings will LOVE this 20 min practice. Flexibility in the hips, hamstrings, quads and the lower body in general is super important to feel good in your body.
20 min a day keep the tightness away! ????
Stretch in the morning, lunch time, evening or anytime in-between.
Good for post-run stretch,
Great for cooling yourself down & de-stressing,
Excellent if you’ve been sitting all day.
No props needed UNLESS you want ‘em or need ‘em. If you have tight hips and legs, then I recommend using Blocks or like items.
Home practiceNo make upNo hair stylingNo fussJust me, my breath and my mat.
Starting a home practice can be difficult. Some tips to help you get on your mat and into your practice.
Create a welcoming environment with as little distraction as possible. Only have what you might need for your practice; mat or mats, block, strap, pillows, bolsters, music, etc. If wall hangings, plants or statues are inspiration for you, add them. If you have limited space, make the best of it. You really only need a space that’s about 2ft x 6ft.
A note on this: I find for myself, if the mat and props can stay where I like it, without having to set it up and break it down every time I want to practice; I’m more likely to practice.
Put the devices away. You don’t need your tablet and your phone and your laptop and your mp3 player. If you are streaming a yoga class or are using your device for music that’s cool. Be mindful and just use it for that—no Facebook, no Instagram, no texting; you get the idea.
Schedule the time for yourself. It may take a while to figure out what time of day works for you. And once you find it…it may change. Several times. ‘Cause, you know, life happens. Allow yourself the flexibility to adjust the time but always show up for it.
Once you manage to get on your mat, then what? You might find that you get on the mat and just sit there…or you might get on the mat and notice you want/need a pedicure (true story). Maybe you just stay in downward facing dog for a while, or childs pose, maybe you do sun salutations until your arms drop off…no worries because…
YOU GOT ON THE MAT! ????
This is the start of creating your home practice…just keep getting on your mat consistently and you will find your way. Trust the process and trust your intuition. Once you get started you may find yourself lost in exploration which is so flippin’ awesome!How do you know what to do?If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, in person or online, you can use that as reference for your home practice. Taking a class from someone else can inspire more asanas or creative flows that maybe you didn’t think of; it’s ok to use those and play.
**Keep in mind: Yoga is not a competitive sport.**
The point is not to be more flexible or do a better arm balance than the bendy people that you saw online…it’s to get familiar with your own body & breath, to calm your mind, use your body and gain all around health. Once you really get into your practice then use those bendy people as inspiration instead of an intention of being better than someone else. Ego can creep up when you least expect it. There’s a quote from ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov that expresses this idea;
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself.”
This rings true to any achievement you strive for just replace “dance” with your goal of choice. MEDITATION PRACTICEIf meditation is more your style or you want to incorporate more meditation in your life, then do it. Set up a comfy place to sit upright so you’re less likely to fall asleep. SET A TIMER.
Start off small if you’re just starting out in your meditation practice….30 seconds is good if you’re not used to sitting still. Build your tolerance from there. Baby steps.
Your eyes can be open slightly or closed. Whichever is more comfortable and whichever offers less distractions. If you chose open eyes, focus on either the tip of your nose or something low in front of you. This offers less distraction and better focus.
Your mind WILL wonder. It’s what minds do. The purpose of meditation isn’t to void all thoughts. Honestly, if you did that, you might be brain dead—yikes! Instead, observe what comes up; random thoughts, distractions, love, hate, annoyance, peacefulness, memories, etc.
A note on this: You are not your thoughts…let them pass. If tears, laughter or other reactions come up; experience them…it will pass.
My favorite type of meditation is focusing on the breath but there are SO many different types of meditation out there. I encourage you to explore and find what resonates with you.
