We might already have an answer for this, maybe the habit has stuck, maybe it changes, maybe it drifts away... and the unrolling of the mat now has a different meaning.
It could be that yoga serves as more of a support than we realised, that it has become rather than a chore, more of a delight, a pleasure, time for oneself in the constant cacophony of life. A stabilising presence, returning to the inner tranquility that is always present if not always felt.
What's stopping us? My
real question is; Why is there a saboteur in my mind messing with this beautiful practice which I have deliberately made a daily de-stressing, an appealing and quite satisfying thing! Where did the mental chaos come from? and why am I avoiding my mat some days? Do I
want to feel guilt/rusty/twitchy/etc.? What's that about?! And is that voice saying things like.. "Everyone else is having time on the beach, why not take a break!"
NOT TRUE- I live on Fore street in Totnes, all the shops are open, many people don't have a tan because they are in offices or indoors working, so my inner saboteur is a liar! And now she is exposed, my mat feels like my comfort blanket![Intermission as some Yoga happens]
One size fits all? mmm. So, there are many possible responses, oddly I can imagine each person that reads this will have a different response. Which is another conundrum! What can it be that appeals to all minds? That helps pretty much everyone? Something that is nothing to do with guilt!
Simplicity
I'm so tempted to dive into the science of the mind and nervous system, the somatics and somantics (Somantics are rhythmic, fluid applications that mirror and augment the presence of the user) of being human, but something tells me that despite the obvious signs that we can talk ourselves into, and out of pretty much anything, I feel that simplicity might just yield more friendly notions to our already encumbered selves.
With any kind, curious, perhaps innocent practice we use to steady our grown-up over-laden heads, the list in tatters as we navigate life. To simplify is a key to presenting a more peaceful life.
Self Knowledge
The quotes I've been giving you and the ideas I'm presenting are from a culmination of gathered sources through the years. [Here is a compendium of collected newsletters.]
In my humble opinion, the only thing that gets close to answering this question is self knowledge. And not just our identity as we have formulated it and presented to the world, but also what lies beneath; the ever present life force that is more than just I, me, myself. That which shows us that ultimately, clear as day, we are all in it together.
" ...we step out of reactivity, and reconnect with the deeper truth of our being, From here we can meet the world not with fear or vengefulness but with a heart that is steady, tender, and awake... Let this be a moment of courageous truth-telling.." Tara Brach, Meditation Teacher.
