|
Let it go, let it go
Your yoga practice will benefit.
By Hugh White
Walking the beach, I
bent
forward to examine a shell. I had just done some standing postures,
facing the sunrise, so I was tuned into breath and body awareness. I
realized that in bending I felt comfortable and supported. I recalled
that three years ago, when Deva and I moved back to our beloved
Florida, I could barely walk the beach. I felt back pain and generally
tight, stiff and sore. The accumulation of tension from a decade
commuting in New Jersey and turning 55, perhaps.
What
has
changed? I believe it's that I've finally developed a regular yoga
practice. (And found a wonderful neuromuscular massage therapist who
also understands yoga). That physiological improvement is only one part
of what yoga means to me.
First,
what
yoga is not: Yoga is not a sport, or just an exercise routine. Yoga is
not a religion. Yoga is a scientific practice to improve access
to your internal energies. Yoga practice as most of us first
approach it is Hatha Yoga, the postures, and pranayama, the breathing
exercises.
A
typical
daily yoga practice as taught at Discovery Yoga includes centering,
warm-ups, asana (postures), pranayama, relaxation and meditation or
integration. You'll often hear in class: "Breathe into the sensation
and notice any thoughts or emotions that come up. Without judgment,
release them. Without expectation, continue breathing into the
sensation throughout your practice."
Our
mind
will resist. It will chatter away about events of the past or fantasies
of the future. Again and again, breathe and release without expectation
or judgment. And honor your limits. Let go of the need to look like
your neighbor or teacher. Let go of the mind¹s compulsion for
self-judgment: "I should be more flexible. I coulda woulda taken
better care of myself."
Sometimes
an
energetic burst will startle you in the form of sheer ecstasy. As
always, breathe and release. Savor the moment, for sure, but trying to
do anything to hold onto it guarantees you won't. Recognize it as a
gift of grace.
An
attitude
of gratitude can be developed even if it doesn't seem to spring forth
complete. More often than not, it does. I leave the studio feeling
better than when I entered. A happier mood, a feeling of confidence and
vitality.
Notice
whether you have more spring in your step. Honor and cherish the
experience. Start a journal centered on your yoga practice. And enjoy
this glorious Spring weather!
|
