Transitions

Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path… exactly where you are meant to be right now… And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.” ~ by Caroline Adams  

Last week, my asana practices focused on core strength and on energizing and mindfully using our core. The core is not only a physical space but an energetic one as well. It "is what supports us spiritually in our lives, and physically in our yoga practice. If our core is weak, the ups and downs of life are much harder to take. A strong core makes us more resilient." (Rachel Brahinsky, Yoga Journal). Physically, a strong core increases our digestive fire, holds us upright, and protects our low back. In our practice, it allows us to float into and out of poses, to keep our balance steady, and to conquer advanced poses like headstand, jump backs, jump throughs, handstands, and so on.

Meanwhile, our inner, spiritual connection emphasized change - both internal and external. As we move into fall, change is upon us; the leaves change colors, the weather begins to cool, and days become shorter. While this time of year is one that reminds us of change, change is not reserved for autumn. Change is constant. Nothing in this world is permanent.  Each day is a new day, each practice a new practice. We know that everything in this world is constantly changing, shifting, evolving, and transforming. Our yoga practice changes each time we step to the mat, our life situation changes day by day, if only subtly. Our challenge is to invite change - to accept it and to honor it, without labeling it as good or bad. In reality, there is no such thing as good and bad. We make things good or bad by labeling them as such. Change is just change. So if everything in this world is temporary, constantly changing, how we handle change and transition is important. Consider how you handle transitions in your practice. Do you move gracefully? Are you focusing on Now or what the pose of the person next to you looks like? Do your feet land with a thud or with no sound at all?  Are you breathing with the poses? That space between the poses is important. Sacred, even. Just as the space between the hustle and bustle of our daily lives is sacred. As we become more grounded and strong through the transitions in our practice, we can carry that strength to the transitions and changes we face in our daily lives.

When we practice, we are often seeking an end result. We want our poses to look a certain way and so we develop the habit, often, of putting our bodies into a pose with the intention of achieving some specific result or look. Your practice is not about appearance, achievement, touching your toes, or coming into a perfect headstand from Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide Leg Forward Fold). Its not about the external result but rather an internal shift in awareness of your body, your alignment, and the habits you've developed over time. Pay special attention to each pose, to how you use your core, and to your alignment, and find YOUR perfect pose as it is that day. Each practice is your best practice, because it was the one you were intended to have that day. Remember, "its not about touching your toes. Its about what you learn on the way down."

Be content with your practice, and with your life, as it is, while also allowing for change. Change, after all, is the only consistent thing in this world. You are here to grow, to heal, to evolve, to practice, and to BE. Embrace whatever it is that you bring to your mat each day and whatever comes into your life at each moment.

"It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll."
~Donald Miller