I was very inspired today from a newsletter I received from a wellness practitioner. It was about "Waiting" in yoga. Many times when we are in asana class or at home doing our practice we do not even notice the subtle changes that have happened physically or mentally. Maybe we feel an overall sense of calmness, less agitated, more sleep, not feeling stiff or we have more energy. These subtle changes are all part of the process in yoga. I remember back to when I first took yoga and how impatient I was with almost everything! I found it challenging to just "be" in any pose for very long and then frustrated with my own body at how inflexible I thought I was. This inspiration was about waiting in Shavasana(corpse pose) and allowing the benefits of staying peaceful without moving to take over and give our bodies time to absorb the pose. Which is extraordinarily challenging to beginners as well as long time practioners. So next time you are Shavasana, allow your self to be there, be present and experience stillness. If something trys to pull your attention, let it go. What other pose do you find the most challenging? Use this same idea there, practice a modification of the pose with stillness and presence. You will find your practice to be more nurturing and beneficial when you allow yourself to experience this. And if you have a day that is more difficult to practice this process, take a breath and thank yourself for taking the time to try it!
I very often get the question of "what should I practice?" from students. My answer is to practice what you remember from class, which is usually something you need or something you found joy in. Even if it is just one pose, do that. Without thinking or planning it, do your pose and notice how it feels. Most often if you have been practicing a long time, you will be practicing at home and if not, give this a try, doing one pose will lead you to the next one.
Enjoy your practice! Namaste' Denise
