Love is the Greatest Force
“Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Having the courage to love ourselves and be vulnerable transforms the way we live, lead, and play. Coming to the yoga mat to honestly meet our body, breath, thoughts, and emotions in the moment is challenging. So many times, the mixed complex web of our own thought patterns and self-talk accompany us to the mat, and we either avoid or attach to them, criticizing ourselves in the process.
The yoga mat is a supportive space for meeting ourselves exactly where we are with honesty and vulnerability. We accept what we are feeling and doing in the moment and allow ourselves just to be. This yoga practice can be slow and deep, not just targeting the external, tangible form of the body, but also going in to the other interconnected non-physical layers known as the Koshas in yogic philosophy. The mental states, energy, and emotions present in the practice connect us with the felt-sense bio feedback loop cultivating mindfulness of the entire Self.
Restorative yoga might look like you’re “not doing anything,” but you really are. I dare you to show up to run a marathon without any training. Why would we think it is possible to show up on the yoga mat and jump into hanumanasana (monkey pose which is a split) if we have never done it before? This practice is training you to move slowly to see where the body can go and deeply listening to its wisdom. Why does the brain attach to the idea that one must achieve perfection in executing a pose or that more and faster is better? Maybe these perceptions are being fed through social media or maybe we have something to prove to ourselves or maybe our ego takes over. I am not saying goal setting is a bad thing, but rather asking if you have practices that cultivate the opposite of what you always do? Which way does your yoga practice sit on the scales of balance—active/yang or inactive/yin? Can you balance the scales of practices and move into the depths of yourself with love?
Restorative yoga practices require moving slowly and into stillness so the time and support in the asana is part of your experience. It is not easy to let go and be in the experience of the energetic flow and to stay humble with what the body and mind can and cannot do with support. Yoga is about being ok with continuous changes both outside and inside. Thus I encourage you to engage in practices that support your innate human intelligence towards homeostasis, mental clarity, and spiritual freedom.
It takes self-care, self-love, and self-kindness practices to allow yourself to JUST BE REAL in an asana (shape) in that moment. Self-kindness is being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, try too hard, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism.
“Common humanity recognizes that suffering and feelings of personal inadequacy are part of the shared human experience – something we all go through rather than something that happens to ‘me’.” --Brene Brown
In this month of February, I am focusing my integrative yoga teaching around self-care, lovingkindness, and self-love. We have to teach ourselves to know that the seed of love comes from self-compassion in how we speak to ourselves, move into action for ourselves, and express ourselves. Show yourself some LOVINGKINDNESS this winter by taking the time to try or slow down your practices and give yourself some LOVE.
These yoga workshops and classes are very gentle practices of self-love and awareness. This style of yoga is accessible to anyone interested in relaxing their muscles, calming their busy minds, and supporting their nervous system to do what it does best – coordinate actions and sensory information to different parts of the body supporting you.
YOGA WALL-POP UP CLASS
Beginner Yoga for Spinal Awareness
Feb 11 Tues 6:00-7:15 ***one spot left, get in now
MONTHLY YOGA NIDRA
Self-care with a Neurological Restful Practice
Feb 12 Wed 6:30-7:30pm
YOGA LOVE & SONG WORKSHOP
A somatic restorative workshop with live music
Feb 16 Sun 4:00-6:00 pm
It is my passion, joy, and purpose to help people explore their own YOGA practice as a learning tool for self-discovery and to tap into their true spirit and creative potential through yoga and art, providing empowerment towards an authentic heartful life.
OM SHANTI
Dani