Living the Practice

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” –B.K.S. Iyengar

The more I practice yoga and take note of its effects the more I notice yoga is reflective of life. I find myself gathering more from each yoga class to take into life off my mat. Each and every practice provides a new experience and endless opportunities in the same manner as each day offers infinite moments. On our mats we learn extremely vital lessons that should be applied to our everyday lives. I would like to share a few of the lessons that I have found to be extremely beneficial in my yoga practice and everyday existence. 

It is not all physical. There is much more behind the practice of yoga than what meets the eye. Many people find themselves at their first yoga class to work on strengthening, toning, and stretching the body. But it is those who find something beyond what meets the eye that become passionate life long students of yoga. I am not stating that the physical elements of the practice are not important, because they are.  I am simply expressing that we cannot judge the book simply by its cover. As lovers of the art of yoga we understand that our practice cultivates much more than the physical asanas. While we work on aligning, strengthening, and stretching the body on our mats there is something much deeper that takes place within.  During the practice yogis work to be present, stay balanced, obtain full breathing, gather focus, become aware, and remain enlightened. Seeking to find something beyond the surface allows one to fully dive into the pool of the soul, rather than float on the top of the water. Dive deep-- the greatest treasures are always hidden!

Be present (even when you don’t want to be). Sometimes we find ourselves in a demanding posture on our mats and wish the instructor would take us to the next pose. However, yoga reminds us to breathe through the tension or discomfort as long as it is nonharming to others or ourselves. Rather than searching for the next “out” in an uncomfortable situation, yoga conveys the importance of focusing on the breath and being present even when we wish not to be. I once had an instructor tell me that we must learn to endure uncomfortable postures on our mats just like we must learn to handle uncomfortable situations in life. This is fundamental in our lives because we all experience moments where we would rather be somewhere else. By applying this lesson to our lives we are reminded to stay where we are rather than looking for where we want to be. Looking toward the future takes away from the beautiful steps of the present, which is a gift we can never get back. Be where your shoes are, or in the case of most yogis, where your bare feet are.

It’s all about balance. Balancing is a vital aspect of yoga as well as life. In yoga classes balancing poses prove to be difficult for most students because they are extremely demanding. Balancing poses help to challenge our physical as well as mental equilibrium. They require great focus, alignment, and attention. Taking the gaze to one still point assists balancing poses because when the eyes are set on one still point the mind typically rests on the same space. Taking the mind to one point helps us to quiet a chattering mind and focus on where we need to in any instance. In our everyday lives we attempt to multi-task and sometimes need to allow the mind to rest on just one thing at a time. Balancing poses also greatly test our patience. Often times in a practice we find ourselves swaying or falling out of a demanding balance posture. In falling out of a pose we are reminded that balancing and falling are two sides of the same coin. We must honor it in its entirety and attempt to get back up even if gravity tries to pull us down. Similarly, in our daily lives we must remind ourselves that even if we fall we must challenge ourselves to try again. Such determination and dedication will take us out of our comfort zone and allow us to reach a new pose or goal. It is crucial to find balance because in our everyday lives we must balance our work, play, and relaxation.  Balance, in meditation and yoga, as in life, equates to acceptance of our current situation. Balance is neither resisting nor wishing to change internal or external forces. Find your equilibrium--live in harmony with yin and yang.

By Julie Strittmatter