The Study of Balance

“Yoga is a practice of walking into your fear everyday and facing it head on, until there is no more fear.” - Blue Osa Yoga

As humans, we have developed a habit of walking on our feet rather than our hands. This habit is so ingrained into our way of life that the very idea of inverting ourselves (going upside down) makes many people fearful or uncertain. In fact, hearing a yoga instructor tell you you're going to be balancing on your hands (or your head) may strike fear and uncertainty into your heart or it may bring out excitement and playfulness. Going upside down allows us to focus on letting go of fear and testing our limits. We focus on inviting in a new perspective and discovering of what we are truly capable. Inviting inversions into your practice literally gives you a new perspective. It allows you to accept change and work through challenges and fear, finding centered-ness and balance. Finding our centered-ness in our practice opens the door to centered-ness in our lives. 

"Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures: it is our home." ~Rolf Gates

In the balancing act of our lives, we are faced with things which we must either hold onto and cherish, or let go and release. We make decisions every day that either bring balance into our lives, or throw us out of balance. Everything from what we eat, to how we treat ourselves and those around us, to the way in which we view our life situation determines our state of balance or imbalance. Our inner energy state determines the outer energy that we project to others and the energy that we bring into the world. When our energy is out of balance, focusing too much on the negative, our world becomes a place of negativity. Negative energy, fear based emotions, and living too much inside our minds throws us out of balance. Negativity breeds illness and depression, positivity breeds happiness and health. Finding balance, in our lives and on our mat, is about making ourselves whole, about finding inner peace. Opposites must exist in this world, but they must come together to be whole. Without darkness, there could be no light. Without silence there could be no sound. When we practice handstand, or any inversion, we progress first to letting go of the fear of being upside down, of using our bodies and seeing things in a different way. Once that fear has passed, we work to build the physical strength to go upside down. Once the strength is built, we look for space. The space where we become whole - where we turn our world around and where we find our balance.

"It is a cosmic principle that we either live in imbalance or act to create balance. Though we may be comfortable in imbalance (which we often perceive as balance), we cannot grow in such a state. It is through shining light on that which we are not that we illuminate the road to progress." ~Aadil Palkhivala

When we give up on fear and negative energy, we free ourselves. We are free to explore new possibilities, to discover our limits and to be in awe at what we can accomplish. The act of purposely turning our world upside down, of standing on our hands instead of our feet, is a lesson in cultivating a new outlook. It changes the directional flow of our energy. It boosts immunity, builds confidence while at the same time humbling us. It teaches us patience and faith - faith to take the leap into an upside down perspective and patience to practice .

"Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be. " ~Anon.

Freedom to Fly_Letting Go of Fear

"By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning."
~Lao Tzu

We can probably all agree that all of us want nothing more than peace and happiness. What many disagree on is what it is that makes us happy. In our lives we might strive for belongings, a certain job, or a relationship of some sort. On our mat, we might be happy if we can achieve a certain pose or look perfect in our vinyasa practice. But true happiness comes from letting go of desire, letting go of resisting what is Now, and embracing what we can do, what we already have, instead of forever looking for the next thing. Eka Pada Galavasana, or flying pigeon, is a pose that requires us to become aware of and face our fears. It is a lesson in addressing what holds us back and where the fear comes from. In our lives we sometimes stay in our comfort zone because we are afraid of what might happen if we venture from it. But when we let go of the past, of what we know, of what we think about ourselves, and embrace the opportunity to open our wings and fly, we open up doors to limitless possibilities.

Fear is an emotion that can stop us in our tracks. When we have a goal, whether a pose or something in our lives, failure to reach that goal can send us into darkness, feeling shame, embarrassment, depression, or thinking we're not good enough. It can prevent us from moving forward and experiencing some of our greatest successes and, in the end, true happiness. Each failure is a lesson. We had to fail in order to learn that lesson. That failure was our only way. It was our path. You are here for a purpose and your failures lead you to your purpose. They are often the door toward success. You've heard the phrase "when one door closes, another opens." And its true. Our failures, our disappointments, lead us to our truth, to our happiness. But this will only be true when we are open to receive and accept failure. When we are ready to allow our path to unfold. When you face a challenging pose on your mat, accept it and find your edge. Falling out of a pose is a great achievement because it means you've let go of fear and invited the risk of failure into your practice. Yoga is exactly that, after all, a practice. 

"Each person comes into this world with a specific destiny - he or she has something to fulfill, some message that has to be delivered, some work that has to be completed. You are not here accidentally - you are here meaningfully. There is a purpose behind you. The whole intends to do something through you." ~Osho

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

  

Peace of Mind

“As the mind, so the person; bondage or liberation are in your own mind. If you feel bound, you are bound. If you feel liberated, you are liberated. Things outside neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude toward them does that.”
― Swami Satchidananda

The Yoga Sutras state that: "The only reality is the universal self, which is veiled by Maya (the illusory power). As the veils are lifted, the mind becomes clearer. Unhappiness and fear – even the fear of death – vanishes. This state of freedom, or Moksha, is the goal of Yoga. It can be reached by constant enquiry into the nature of things." Dhyana, the 7th limb of the 8 Limbed Path of the Yoga Sutras, means meditation or perfect contemplation.  Meditation allows us to meet heightened levels of awareness, to calm our mind, and to let go of our thoughts. The practice of Dharana, the 6th limb, in which we focus on a single point or task, like breathing, prepares us for Dhyana. Our thoughts cause distraction in our lives.  They disrupt our inner state of being. The fewer thoughts we have the fewer worries we have. Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle says that when we worry or have anxiety, it is the result of our mind creating stories. We are either recreating events from the past, or making up stories about the future. But when our mind becomes still and we let go of our thoughts, we experience peace of mind, balance and simplicity in our lives, and of course, happiness.

"Do not encumber your mind with useless thoughts. What good does it do to brood on the past or anticipate the future? Remain in the simplicity of the present moment." – Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

When you come to your mat, bring your attention to your breath. Do this without thinking. Simply hear the oceanic-like sound of your breathing, and feel the rhythmic flow of each breath cycle.  In this space of stillness, when our thoughts cease, even momentarily, we begin to train our mind to achieve Dhyana, allowing us to connect with ourselves, and in doing so, connecting with a higher power, a higher consciousness.

In the practice of Dhyana, we focus directly on something with the intent of knowing the truth about it. "We learn to differentiate between the mind of the perceiver, the means of perception, and the objects perceived, between words, their meanings, and ideas, and between all the levels of evolution of nature." (Yoga Sutras, xvi) In other words, the layers of perception, the labels we attach to things, our feelings towards those things, begin to fade away. A flower is more than the word. It is more than its color, its scent, its shape, and the thoughts or emotions it evokes in us. Our consciousness awakens as we peel back the veils of perception and see into the object's true nature. This practice, focused inward, on ourselves, unites us with our own true nature.
The practice of yoga is about seeking out the truth. The truth about the true nature of all things, beginning with ourselves. Dhyana is described as a path to Nirvana, a practice of "stopping and realizing" (abuddhistlivrary.com). Of stopping our thoughts and realizing that we are so much more than that. We are, at our core, energetic light; energy connected to each and every object and creature in the universe. Not only are we not our thoughts, but we are also not our body. Our body is a vehicle for housing that energy. Thus, when we connect the vehicle (the body) with the mind, we begin to find that path toward Nirvana, or enlightenment.
Each day we face a challenge: to love, enjoy, and accept our life exactly as it is. We spend a great deal of time trying to change the past or control the future. Our asana practice teaches us to let go and stay in the Present. It prepares us for meditation or Dhyana, the state where only the present exists without intrusion from our thoughts. Where we are content with things as they are, for better or worse. When things don't work out the way we want, we get upset, depressed, angry, all sorts of negative emotions that affect our well being and that of those around us.  Everything works out exactly as it is supposed to, exactly as you need it to. When you stop thinking about it, you will find peace in this.

"When you surrender to what is and become so fully present, the past ceases to have any power. The realm of Being, which had been obscured by the mind, then opens up. Suddenly, a great stillness arises within you, an unfathomable sense of peace. And within that peace there is great joy. And within that joy there is love. And at the innermost core there is the sacred, the immeasurable, That which cannot be named." – Eckhart Tolle

The Awakened Heart

May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you be at peace.

This is the mantra that ends most of my yoga practices.  When we are truly at peace, we have truly come to know ourselves. When we know ourselves, our true selves, without the labels or the expectations or the past, but simply as our shared inner Being, then we have found Enlightenment.

Enlightenment comes from truly knowing oneself. It is the understanding that you are not your thoughts, your perceptions, your emotions, or your past. Each of these things are like clouds. They pass through but they are not permanent. What is permanent and eternal is your inner self. Yoga teaches us to let go of our exterior self, to let it fade away and to connect with our inner selves through our breath and our movements. The asanas, or poses, are about so much more than making us flexible and strong.  They are about preparing the mind and body for meditation. And it is in meditation where we find the stillness needed to draw inward, to awaken our heart and to recognize our Divine self as well as the Divine in others. 

This is where we come to know that we are the same. We are not separate. You are not your job, your hobbies, your past, or your thoughts.  You are an energetic life force. You can feel this energy within you at any time. In savasana, I've told my classes to find the "aliveness" in their hands.  Not with their thoughts but by simply becoming aware of their hands. When you focus completely on the feeling of your hands, you can feel a sensation. It may feel tingly, pulsing, or perhaps warm.  Whatever you feel, it is a form of energy. Eckhart Tolle refers to this feeling as "inner body awareness."  When you cease to think and you draw your attention to your inner energy you begin to awaken your heart. 

The awakened heart is a heart connected to the Divine. The awakened heart recognizes that the only thing that really matters is what can be found within, not in the material, exterior world in which we live. In order for us to survive in this world, however, we must attain certain things such as food clothing and shelter. To do this, we probably need a job or career. Yet, the awakened heart understands that these things do not define who we are.  Who we are is the energetic life force that connects each one of us. Our thoughts, words, and actions have the power to bring us together or tear us apart.

Returning to the mantra I offer at the end of my classes, I had the following heart awakening experience recently:  I heard a story on the Today Show about a woman whose health, after the age of 50, deteriorated rapidly. She eventually found out that she had emphysema. It seemed her life had taken a downward spiral. Her daughter, a yoga instructor and massage therapist, convinced her to try yoga. After her first class, she took money from her life's savings and signed up for yoga teacher training and is now a yoga instructor. At the end of her interview, she said "My mantra is 'I AM happy, I AM healthy, I AM at peace.'" Those words emphasized, to me, our connectedness. It made me realize that the words spoken within the yoga studio go beyond those walls and truly reach those in need. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu - May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may our own thoughts, words and actions bring happiness to all beings.

"I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”
~ Gandhi

Breathe...

"We too should make ourselves empty, that the great soul of the universe may fill us with its breath." ~Laurence Binyon

Your breath is your pranayama. Your life-giving energy force. Pranayama is the 4th limb of Patanjali's 8 Limbed Path described in the Yoga Sutras.  We cannot live without our breath, yet we take breathing for granted. The breath frees our mind of distractions, rids our bodies of toxins, and is the link to our higher self. When we use our breath mindfully and purposefully, listening to the sound and feeling and flow of our breath, we open up the channels of energy and harmony in our bodies.  Each time you step onto your mat, each day you awaken, give yourself permission to flow into and out of each pose or into and out of each situation in which you find yourself.  Take time to bring your awareness back to your breath, and simply be.

We all lose our path, lose concentration, fall out of poses, forget to breathe.  When these things happen, you can allow it to be OK, or allow it to distract and cause you worry.  The only person who can take away your happiness is you.  By returning to our breath, focusing on the very act of breathing, we can clear our minds of distractions. When you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or challenged, on your mat or in your daily life, begin to listen to your breath. The oceanic-like sound and rhythm of the breath naturally calms and quiets our thoughts. Make it your intention to be fully aware and engaged with your breath in each and every moment.

"The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. Just take a moment. This will give your mind a steadiness and your breath a gracefulness.... There’s so much to let go of, isn’t there? Your nostalgia and your regrets. Your fantasies and your fears. What you think you want instead of what is happening right now. Breathe." ~Rodney Yee, Yoga: The Poetry of the Body

A steady, conscious breath is all you need to bring yourself into the present moment. What is happening now is all that matters. Whatever happened yesterday, an hour ago, a second ago, is over and done. What is going to happen has not yet happened and will happen, no matter what. All that we know for sure is Now. When you return to your breath, you connect with joy, freedom, serenity, and peace. Your breath is your path to contentment. When we empty ourselves of our thoughts, our worries, our fears, our desires, we make space within to fill ourselves with all that truly exists - light, love, peace, and happiness.

"Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted -- in body, mind, and heart -- and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow -- or we begin to flow more in our lives."
~Cybele Tomlinson

Uniting Body and Breath

"Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted -- in body, mind, and heart -- and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow -- or we begin to flow more in our lives."

~Cybele Tomlinson

Yoga is more than the physical practice with which most of us are familiar. In Patanjali's 8 Limbed Path, in the Yoga Sutras, the Asanas, or physical postures, are the 3rd limb, following the Yamas and Niyamas. The intention of the asanas is to prepare the body for meditation. In Western culture, we tend to associate the asanas with physical fitness. Yet it is through the asanas that we develop the discipline, concentration, and inner awareness to transform ourselves and our practice. The unnecessary parts of this world fade away and we are left with breath, body, movement, and spirit.

When we come to our mat, we are often told to connect with our breath. To breathe and move. We can use our breath to calm our mind, body, and spirit. When you come into a pose, allow the posture, with help from your breath, to release tension. Be aware of where you're holding and exhale it away. "The posture of yoga is steady and easy." This is how Patanjali describes the asanas. To free our minds of distractions, and thus be totally at peace, we must also free our bodies of distractions. Tension held in our muscles, or pain in some part of our body, distracts our mind. As we move through our physical practice, the union of breath, body, and movement, calms the mind. Patanjali said, "Posture is mastered by freeing the body and mind from tension and restlessness and meditating on the infinite." The infinite and united light that connects us all to one another and the entire universe. Through our breath we connect to each pose and we connect with our practice. Yoga is about this connection of breath, body, and spirit. Yoga means union - the union of our individual self with our highest self. Through the practice of yoga we can make that connection.

You are yoga. You are the union with each object, each living creature, with each person you see, and with the entire universe.

"You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state." (Sharon Gannon)