How do we build a sustainable practice for ourselves that will help us consistently move into a direction that invites health and happiness into our lives? This is a very individual and personal process, I believe, so I can not give you your unique solution. Though, I may be able to provide you with a guide by sharing my experience in building this kind of healthy living practice. Trust and patience are key components for me. I try not to jump to conclusions quickly. I try to listen to what I am feeling first. Is it positive or negative? If negative, I do my best to adjust myself so that it becomes a positive experience. This holds true for all situations in life, not just when I am in a yoga posture. It is easier for me to feel and adjust in a yoga pose as opposed to a interaction of some sort with another, because, often times when dealing with something outside of ourselves the rules are unclear. That being said, I have found that all situations where you can first be positive in your experience of what's happening will always help to make interactions much more advantageous to helping move not only myself, but all involved to happiness and health. To do this one time would be fairly easy, but are lifetimes span many moments, and change is constantly attached, so I have found the best way to go about living in a happy and healthy fashion is to be a good listener, starting over and over again with my own feelings, expanding out from there. It is also important for me to trust that a truly desire to move to health and happiness at my core as well as all others. I find this trust helps in giving me the needed energy to continue on a path of understanding and patience, looking for the occasions where this desire is present. Looking for a smile, wave, acts of kindness, a desire for connection, a dire to live life more full in the way that best presents itself, etc. Awareness of these situations, actions, and events within ourselves and acted out by others truly gives me motivation to keep on practicing. How about you, do you feel a little something more, motivation or inspiration when witnessing such things?
If you really want to get to the most basic element of your disposition, try starting with the breath. The breath is what begins life on the physical plane for us, and is the last action that we take departing as well, so it makes a certain amount of sense to pay attention to the quality of our breath when considering how to improve the quality of our lives. Once I am in a good place in this basic way then I might experiment, moving into seated forward fold for example. This is an outward expression of moving into the present with trust and patience, embracing the lengthening of the body and, as the mind is tied to the body, my awareness of life. How does this feel? If I still feel positive, I have a certain assurance that the interactions of the day will go well. If not, what could this mean? How have I experienced this feeling before in other situations in life? Is it anger, frustration, worry, laziness, discomfort, a feeling of rigidity, pain in the body, etc. ? Is there a way to adjust myself in the pose for a more pleasant experience? If I find there is, I can take away some inspiration for adjusting other life situations that may seem unpleasant. With what I have learned in this microcosm of yoga asana (physical posture) practice, I have something that can help guide me in living a more pleasant, healthy, and happy lifestyle. However, there may seem like there is nothing concrete that I have learned, and in that case I have faith in the practice and the intention of desiring to move to a better state of overall health and happiness. I have seen the results blossom in my life in big and small ways, most notably a better relationship with myself and others. This is why I need to trust in the practice, to stay as consistent as I can. The love I have for life, myself, and others was not as full and expressive when I started, and I can feel myself waver in these positive feelings if I try to skip out on consistent practice. Do I always do what is best for myself? I try my best! :-) And as my friend would say that is all anyone can expect of you. I would say especially yourself. Do your best to be kind, compassionate, and loving to yourself. I fully support you! Remember, we can always try again. Another opportunity for life is as close as the next breath! :-)
CAUTION: This pose can be stressful for the back and hamstrings, so take you time to understand your limits. Take special note of any SHARP pain that arises, backing off or moving out of the pose entirely.
- First, from a seated position, legs out straight before you, bring your awareness to your back, invite yourself to straighten your spine if not already. Feel the shoulders roll down the back as there is a slight pronounced position of the chest.
- Once you feel that nice straight spine, take an inhale, raising the arms to frame the head.
- Then as you exhale, explore reaching those arms forward as you fold down, hinging at the hips rather then curling the spine, reaching for the legs.
- In this folded position, Paschimottanasana, Seated Forward Fold, I invite you to say the affirmation “I move into the present with trust and patience.” aloud or silently. Focus on the sensations that you are experiencing here and now, not attaching any specific meaning to them, unless it is clear that you need to adjust the pose because of an unhealthy SHARP pain. If you have any doubts that this practice will benefit you, I invite you to trust the in the practice, yourself, and the desire of the heart for health and happiness. Consider the degree to which your patience is happening as well. Are you honestly letting go, allowing the experience to be just that, or is there something your holding onto? Are you grading yourself? Maybe your deciding if this is a good way to spend your time. Explore what is possible without any apprehensions holding you back. It takes time to grow a garden beautiful and bountiful, the body is said to be the garden of the soul. Finally, I also encourage you to relieve yourself of the position when you feel you have had enough. Make your own decision, and know that you can always pick the practice up again when you are ready to do so.
- Gently coming back to a straight legged seated position with a nice upright spine I invite you to press your hands to heart center, bow the head, and say “Namaste.” This translates to, “My inner light honors your inner light.” It is a very good way to encourage the growth of health and happiness within each other. In coming to a healthier and healthier, giving, thankful, pleasant state, we naturally share that with others simply by are being.
Thank you for practicing with me today! :-) I am blessed to be able to share these teachings! And it would not be possible without you! Thank you for being you!I hope that you find kindness and patience in your days to come, trust and appreciation for yourself! Peace, Love, and Happiness to you, my friend! Aaron :-)