As I’m trying to adapt to the impact the situation of COVID 19 is having on our lives, I keep being reminded of the ultimate goal of yoga. “Yoga Citta Vritti Nirodha” translated to “yoga ceases the fluctuations of the mind”. Life has many ups and downs, many cycles and phases. The goal is to respond to those fluctuations in a more balanced and measured way, rather than coming from a place where we are overly reactive.
This is the practice.
It is challenging.
How can we remain calm and peaceful in the midst of a world wide crisis?
It is easy to get swept along with the wave of panic and fear. How can we return to a place of love, trust and acceptance?
Yoga asks that we return to this moment. For this moment is all that we have. This breath. Each and every breath. In returning to this moment, we sometimes find a way back to our true nature which is unchanging and steady, peaceful and calm.
This does not mean we cannot feel the many colours of emotions that arise, it just means that with a regular practice we become less reactive to them. All emotions are welcome, but let them rise and fall much like a wave on the ocean. We aim to not let our emotions completely overtake us. And if they do, return to this moment, this breath. This helps to create some space around our thoughts and emotions, so maybe we can gain a new perspective.
One of the difficulties of this time is maintaining our normal routines and connections. In many ways this is a blessing. Again this creates space around our idea of normal and forces us to step outside our comfort zone. From this place we can create new ways of being. We are being given time to reevaluate. I’m finding that in being asked to stay at home at this time, life is starting to take on a slower pace. The constant pressures and demands are starting to diminish. Instead my focus is returning to my loved ones and the simplicity of being together.
I am grateful for this opportunity to step back and take care of what I need to at home. Everyday, no matter what is happening in the world, I try to find gratitude. This is also the practice.
I hope this time is bringing you some unexpected blessings and that together we can forge a new way of being that better serves our planet and each other.
This is the practice.
It is challenging.
How can we remain calm and peaceful in the midst of a world wide crisis?
It is easy to get swept along with the wave of panic and fear. How can we return to a place of love, trust and acceptance?
Yoga asks that we return to this moment. For this moment is all that we have. This breath. Each and every breath. In returning to this moment, we sometimes find a way back to our true nature which is unchanging and steady, peaceful and calm.
This does not mean we cannot feel the many colours of emotions that arise, it just means that with a regular practice we become less reactive to them. All emotions are welcome, but let them rise and fall much like a wave on the ocean. We aim to not let our emotions completely overtake us. And if they do, return to this moment, this breath. This helps to create some space around our thoughts and emotions, so maybe we can gain a new perspective.
One of the difficulties of this time is maintaining our normal routines and connections. In many ways this is a blessing. Again this creates space around our idea of normal and forces us to step outside our comfort zone. From this place we can create new ways of being. We are being given time to reevaluate. I’m finding that in being asked to stay at home at this time, life is starting to take on a slower pace. The constant pressures and demands are starting to diminish. Instead my focus is returning to my loved ones and the simplicity of being together.
I am grateful for this opportunity to step back and take care of what I need to at home. Everyday, no matter what is happening in the world, I try to find gratitude. This is also the practice.
I hope this time is bringing you some unexpected blessings and that together we can forge a new way of being that better serves our planet and each other.
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