Compassion for where you are today, Do not let
the memory or ideal of an asana be your guide, rather respect and have
compassion for your body today.
The Yamas, the foundation of your yoga practice and the first of the 8 limbs of yoga. There are 5.
Ahimsa is one of my favorites to
teach, and I do not think it can be overemphasized enough in your
practice. I also think it is one of the ones we often ignore, I know I
do. Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence, not just to others but most
importantly to yourself. How many times have you heard or even
said to yourself, Push yourself, you can do it, go as far as you can!
We don't normally begin the day to cause ourselves bodily harm. The
day I broke this ankle of mine I did not wake up and think "lets go
break a leg!" Yet if this is a reflection of your practice, it is a
"deliberate act of violence" and why? The ego, perhaps? The desire to
be the best, go the farthest. Some may argue it is a way to encourage,
to teach yourself not to give up or give in. Give in to what? The
wisdom of your body? Another way we are violent to our bodies is
in a practice based on form as opposed to function. Expecting the right
and the left to behave the same, moving beyond our edge, not modifying
the asana and having expectations that your body may not be up today.
These are all a direct insult to the body. I think I will opt to
actual translate ahimsa into compassion. So today as you get on your
mat, or as you live your life, set an intension of compassion. Compassion
for where you are today, Do not let the memory or ideal of an asana be
your guide, rather respect and have compassion for your body today.
Remember that the practice is not a measure of how incapable you are,
but what you are capable of! As you set a strong intention to be
rooted in compassion, you will begin to not only trust the wisdom of
your body, you begin to trust the body. It is here that you will find a
new sense of belonging within this your physical body, and with in this
life. I encourage you to feel the strength and the stability of
being confident as you are able to release any expectations or false
ideals about how you should be in your body today. Be ever present as
this time is your own. Allow what ever comes up to come up and
experience it to its fullest. Allow the breath to move thru you, freely without inhibitions or restrictions. Extend, move, flow, love, and be loved. Take
with you from this practice of compassion the strength and courage of
who you are, and not who others think you to be. We all walk into the
classroom with different stories, memories and belief, but we can all
walk out strong, rooted, safe in the knowledge of our own love of self.
Set your intention to honor yourself every minute of everyday
by practicing compassion. It all begins with you. See you on the mat! Hums for the day extend,
breath, move, flow, allow, be, compassion, content, fluid, free,
unrestricted, peace, joy, fullest, open, ease, confidently, present,
express, feel, sense, know, explore, rooted, love, peace, joy, awake,
potential, accepting, powerful, |
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Categoriesasanabalance breath chakra Christian Yoga injury karma, meditation patience perception practice touch yoga yoga alliance yoga, accountability |
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