It feels so good to be back on the mat. I am thanking my body for showing up in the way it can right now, with a beginner’s mind, and accepting what is. I am more convinced than ever that when we are able, moving our bodies, becoming as strong as we can, and having mindfulness-based practices in our daily lives is essential—knowing what it is that grounds us is truly a gift. 

For me, yoga, especially yoga asana, is just that. The expression of the postures is very personal, always evolving and never linear. Our relationship with sensation and emotion is often directly related to what’s happening off the mat—giving us deeper understanding and often guidance. Without words, without even deep contemplation, movement, breath, and mindfulness have the power to reveal innate knowledge within. 

A friend once told me of a practice when tears unexpectedly streaked her mat after seeing her knees in a downward-facing-dog. She was reminded of a time her then-adult daughter had fallen off her bike as a child, her spirit broken and her knees torn up. You may have heard that different parts of the body store emotions and even stories, but they also store insights into aspects of our lives that may need attention, exploration, space.

Speaking of storied emotions, have you seen the movie Past Lives? If you like slow-moving beauty and dramatic space between that makes you feel things in the golden glow of silence, this one is for you! Similar to how the body communicates during asana practice, the big breaks in dialogue create space to delve into thoughts, memories and reflections, creating a deep personal connection with the characters and the plot. 

Our practice is a mirror, offering an intuitive way to source our creativity, troubles, solutions, and memories and to absorb the vibrations of our being. 

Let's practice together soon, and until then, take good care of yourself and each other.

Sara

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” ~ Martha Graham

Image credit: Elia Pellegrini on Unsplash

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