The work- the process, the breathing, the chanting, the learning, the feeling, the opening, the closing, the twisting, the stretching, the strengthening, the grounding, the resting, the meditating, the connecting, the quiet, the focus, the rhythm…the yoga. Yoga is an education of internal discipline, cultivating inner clarity and inner strength.
The yoga process
allows habits and ways of being, and feeling to modify and leave on their own. This is not to say there is No resistance to letting go of old pleasures, or that you do not have to use intelligence to free yourself from aspects of your life that are no longer serving you. Rather, the energy of yoga, and the awareness it brings, makes what is, and what is not conducive to your life and well-being more obvious. The day to day practice gives you messages that are very difficult to ignore… Also, journaling your thoughts and insights help you to see where you are at, and where you have grown.
7/16/2018
Today in practice my instructor Jenny said, “Laugh at your inner musings. Reflect on your inner thoughts.” This is a path to enlightenment. “Lighten Up!”
7/17/2018
I have a tendency to vacillate between security and adventure. Spending more time in the security zone. Yes, security is necessary as a base/root or launching pad, but too much dampens growth, and keeps newness out.
11/3/2018
The goal of meditation is to integrate the spirit. Becoming whole at the deepest spiritual level. Why is this so hard to maintain?
11/1/2018
While reading verses from the Bhagavad Gita, I was reminded of the hike I use to do with my friends several times a week. Juanita, Julie and I, would hike our butts off to reach a place mid-point up the trail that we called, “Pay-day.” The trail opens up here, and we could see the whole valley below. On clear days we could see across the Great Salt Lake to Antelope Island, and beyond. Once a year we would plan a trip to the summit. Crossing the stream for the third time, meandering through the ferns, and finding our way up “rocky ridge,” left us at the foot of the face below the summit. We called this place, “Death Row.” Like every marathon we ever ran together we always said the race began at mile 20, and so it was with this hike. When our feet started the ascent, the focus began. This was where the internal focus really started. No more talking, eating or laughing, just the sound of your breath as you carefully placed one foot in front of the other until you each reached the top. “Pay-day” paled in comparison to this grander view on top of the mountain. From this vantage point we could see multiple valleys and the mountains beyond. An excerpt from the Gita “Closing their eyes, steadying their breath, and focusing their attention on the center of spiritual consciousness, the wise master their senses, mind, and intellect through meditation. Self-realization is their only goal. Freed from selfish desire, fear, and anger, they live in freedom always.” Gita 5:27-28
Yoga strengths you physically and psychologically. It opens you up to assimilate change in your life, and it grounds you energetically. Practicing yoga helps develop a new kind of security, the security of knowing you can respond to what ever challenges life may bring with grace. I have spent some time thinking about how my faith in Christ plays a role in my personal yoga practice. Personally, for me as I have developed and grown in my practice, I have noticed a greater sensitivity to spirit. I feel more aligned in many more aspects of my life. I feel stronger in so many ways. I am learning that I am not a container for others emotions, and I don’t have to fix others. I’m learning to sit with my emotions until they are gone or become productive. I am learning to not project my thoughts and feelings onto others, and I am learning to love myself. Ultimately becoming free from greed, hate and delusion…which in yoga is called “Bodhi.”
Bodhi (Bo-dhee), v.
The knowledge or awareness by which one experiences enlightenment
The experience of awakening through awareness, pure intent, faith unwavering
Yoga at its core is looking within to understand the timeless question, “Who am I?” Awakening to your own individual potential, and aligning yourself with something higher, allows for the best in you to come out. In this life, gain knowledge, take action, and Love deeply, remembering you can overcome all difficulties through God’s grace.
