I rolled out my mat at 5:30 this morning. It had been over a week since I had done so due to travel and an out of town guest which made me think about my motivation for getting back on the mat. For sure, it’s a part of my job. I learned in training that you can’t teach what you don’t have and finding the key to my clients’ regular practice can be like finding a needle in a haystack! In sharing a few of the things that motivate me, I hope you might consider adopting a regular practice that will give you the opportunity to treasure seek.
Rolling out the mat…
- Is always about what’s going on in my body, heart and mind. First I observe. This helps me tune in so I get to to know my internal landscape. This has practical applications; for example, how does this posture, which I did (or didn’t do) yesterday and the day before that and the day before that…feel today? What postures do I need today given what’s going on in my body? I’ve heard it said: “Get to know your body and it will work better for you.” There are also more subtle implications; for example, am I listening to my heart? Or is this thought pattern the same one I had yesterday? Has it changed? How? What practice do you do that allows you to tune in? Or does what you’re doing tune you out? (Tuning out has its benefits)
- At times I realize that my practice is getting stagnant, so I need to change it. Is there something you need to change? What are you going to do to change it? It could just be your reaction to what’s going on for you right now.
- At times I feel resistance to what is. What are you resisting? Why? There’s usually a lot of it going on. Can you stop resisting whatever it is? How does it feel?
- Is almost always a sigh of relief. “Almost?” See previous bullet, also my July 18th Facebook post. What gives you a big sigh of relief and how can you bring more of that into your life? Commit to something today. Find someone to hold you accountable.
- Brings an epiphany every once in a while. I had a published book author ask me once whether it was normal that she have flashes of creativity whilst practicing. What was your last epiphany and what were you doing when you had it? How have you or haven’t you lived into it?
- Is a time for prayer and gratitude. And I remind myself that prayer is not asking for what you don’t have but for what you already have to be revealed. Gary Kraftsow of the American Viniyoga Institute said it this way: “imagine that you hold the key to a vast treasure beyond all expectations yet you’ve lost the key.” This is Yoga.What are you praying for and why? What treasure are you not letting shine forth?
- Gives me the opportunity to pause at the start of my day, to recognize that I can start again, to focus – what I focus on each day ultimately becomes my life – to set the tone, my intentions and ask for insight among other things… How are you starting your day? With loads of caffeine, sugar and, or uninspiring news?
- Affects my physiology. Do I want to energize, balance or calm? This can be done with the types of postures, the breathing adaptation chosen for the postures, breathing practice before, during or after the practice and other aspects of the sadhana. For a functional practice that addresses your physiology, structure and psycho-emotional state I am here to help.
First, you can start here: Showing Up For Yourself Through Ritual and Becoming Your Own Teacher. And if you’re ready for a real adventure, consider going on retreat next July 2019: The Daily Practice of Resilience: Yoga Therapy and Kayaking with the Orca of British Columbia.
To Finding the Key,
Laurie
Image Credit: Desktop Nexus