February 16, 2024
Unexpected Storms
Elizabeth Brass
Certified Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist (IAYT)
It's the small progressions in ourselves that often go unseen.
By not recognizing our own progress, it's easy to become frustrated.
The positive changes in our posture, in our energy, in our outlook over time are impossible to measure.
Because we can't measure the transformations that occur in us from our yoga practice, they go under valued.
I'm hearing from many people that they've been sicker in the last months than ever before. That there's all sorts of new viruses floating around, and our immune systems are weakened due to Covid. Coupled with the ongoing wars, instabilities, and fears around the world, it's hard to find stable ground and a sense of normality. Before this new cold took hold, I had plans for my practice and life and how events would go. In my mind, I saw myself energetic and strong, able to manage responsibilities and commitments, as I've done in the past.
Yoga practice teaches us to be present, to observe what is. It isn't an easy process to observe our weaknesses, our limitations, and our disappointments. Patanjali, in The Yoga Sutras, tells us that avidya (not seeing) translates as ignorance and is the root cause of our suffering. And what is ignorance in this context? Ignorance is not knowing the Self. We attach ourselves to our sense of self and these beliefs block us from seeing ourselves clearly. A place to start is observing the outer layers of ourselves (our physical body) by acknowledging when we're unwell or in pain, and adapting our yoga practice accordingly. If we don't have the knowledge how to adapt practice, then asking a trusted and experienced teacher is the way to go to discover how yoga practice can nurture us at any life stage.
By learning how to practice yoga thoughtfully and intelligently, we train ourselves to see clearly, especially when life throws us unwanted surprises. We have the skills to understand and care for ourselves and this knowledge, improves the quality of our life and outlook. In these difficult times, staying close to our yoga practice, will see us through the physical and mental challenges. If you want help with this, you can join me this Sunday, February 18th, for a 3-hour workshop, on home practice. You can get more information and sign up here. A recording will be available for 1 month to everyone registered for the workshop, either online or in-person.
These are hard times and help with our yoga practice will benefit us now and in the future.
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