“All creation is one. What we do to one, we do to the entire web of life.”
– Chief Seattle
Weekly Focus: Yoga Part II (union with Self)
Yoga in practice helps us to find distinction between body, mind and will to find union with our truest and highest Self. Now this can feel a little conflicting when we look at the discussion of Yoga earlier this week. You might be thinking, I thought that Yoga was about finding the connections, not the distinctions?! Well, it is, and it is not. Let’s break it down.
Ultimately, Yoga helps us to find connection with our most authentic, true and balanced Self. Notice the capital “S” in self. This refers to the deep spiritual Self, perhaps more understandable when labeled as Spirit or Soul. These are not exactly the same concepts but they bring a better awareness of what we mean when we say “Self.” This search for connection to Self is a long journey, and it requires deep contemplation and reflection along the way. Mindfulness helps bring us into these reflective states.
When we practice Yoga on our mat, we find a deeper connection to the way our body moves, the way our breath reacts, and the way our thoughts can be controlled. Becoming more familiar with each detail of the outer self, helps us to distinguish our shell from the from what lies inside.
Consider a sunflower seed. There is an outer shell or hull to the sunflower seed that protects and contains the seed within. The seed and its hull are connected and work together, but the seed itself is still seperate from the hull. You can remove the seed and see it their on it’s own. Furhter still, the seed contains within it life. On it’s own, it is still just a seed, but when nurtured and provided for, something greater springs forth. The plant will sprout eventually shedding the shell of it’s seed and leaving it behind. Each layer was connected to the first, but ultimately, each layer was distinctly different. These are like the layers of the Self.
There are many paths on the journey to seeking union with Self. As we re-embark on the journey of the New Year, it can serve as a reminder that as all things come in cycles, the journey towards connection never ends. There are so many ways to explore who we are at our core. The beauty of yoga is that we get to keep learning, to continue growing, and to reach our absolute highest potential.
Here is a simple practice in seeking connection with Self:
- Take 10 minutes to consider your deepest desires — set a timer for 5 min and close your eyes. Begin by simply breathing.
- Repeat a mantra — repeat the following mantra to yourself 8 times: “I seek my deepest desire.”
- Sit and observe — now allow thoughts to enter the mind. Notice images, words, phrases that might associate with your deepest desire.
- Reflect and journal — after the time ends, open your eyes and set a new timer for 5 min. Free-write whatever you recall from your meditation. Look at what you have written and consider what it is that you seek in life. If anything stands out, circle the word as a reminder.
Passive Pose of the Week: Savasana (corpse pose)
Savasana is a posture symbolic of rebirth, of starting anew. We begin the year rising from the ashes and allowing ourselves the space to start fresh. Savasana allows us to soak in the experience of our asana practice, and to embrace the union of body, mind and spirit in rest. As we close this posture, we may awaken with a sense of renewal and hope for what is to come in the year ahead.
- Lie down on the floor.
- Do whatever is needed to be comfortable. We suggest rolling a blanket and placing it under the knees and perhaps covering up with. asweater or blanket to stay warm.
- Place the hands ina comfortable position either stretching out to the sides or resting on the belly.
- Let the body full relax and get heavy.
- Release control of the breath and stay here for 5 – 10 minutes.
Active Pose of the Week: Spinal Roll Down Flow
This gentle flow helps to ground us in our bodies and create a down flow of energy, beneficial in the Winter time. This short series of postures are a wonderful and gentle way to invite conscious movement into the beginning of our practice, signaling a sense of awareness in the body and the breath.
- Begin in a standing Mountain pose (tadasana).
- All the knees to be buoyant, with a soft bend. Inhale and sweep your arms up overhead.
- Exhale and sweep your arms out to the side folding forward with softly bent knees.
- At the bottom of your fold, take a gentle inhale and exhale, perhaps offering a little sway as your grab opposite elbows.
- Inhale and begin to roll up through center, stacking one vertebrae on the next. Rise all the way to standing reach the arms up overhead.
- As you exhale, softly lower the hands by your sides.
- Repeat 3 – 5 times slowly.
Spinal Roll Down Flow should be fluid and soft. Try to avoid stiffness or rigidity in the body, as you might have in a typical Sun Salutation. Imagine the body heavy as you roll up, and light as you roll down. This flow can be a great addition to the middle of your workday to refresh the body and mind, and to naviagate through stifness and stillness.
Join us in class this week to practice seeking your truest Self. See the full schedule HERE.
