I am about to embark on an exciting day as I have the privilege to introduce Yoga to almost 40 people! Most of them have never done Yoga, some have and some used too. I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity but wanted to share a bit of what this group will be exposed too :)
The spiritual practice of Yoga is a practice that over time brings you closer to the divinity within you.
Our bodies hold our stories: our memories, traumas, joys and so on. Although we may have talked through the not so pretty ones we still hold onto them within the fibers of our bodies. If we do not find a way to release the wounds we will perpetually run into the patterns of behavior that hold us hostage on our journey, the whole walking on sand metaphor, we move one step forward 2 steps back.
The Asana practice ( postures and movement of Yoga) is the gateway to the sacred space in which we are healed, a place where we can reside and steer our ship. The postures create a peeling back of Self much like the peeling back of layers of an onion.
You may first notice after you begin a Yoga practice that you body feels better, the joints are not as sore. The muscles are not as tight and that lower back that has caused so much grief is actually beginning to settle down. If you stick with the practice you may notice some mental changes such as a clearer and quieter mind, sleeping better, making healthier choices in regards to what you put into your body for nourishment. ( This is the stage when the light bulbs of your spirit begin to go from dim to bright- which is a whole other post!!)And finally you will find yourself confronted with a major source of stress that would usually spin you out into some chaotic, emotional hot mess place full of irrational thoughts, fear and anxiety. However if you have stuck with this spiritual practice your find that you face this source of stress from a calm, objective place of strength and grace. You face this stress as yourself in your full perfect spiritual form and your human container is there to help move and hold your spirit while you do what your divine self leads your to do.
It is only when we begin to separate from the human Ego and chatter of the mind that we can hear God. This sacred space is where we are present and when we are present the divine is everywhere.
I believe that Yoga has sustained over 5000 years because of this- through this practice you will find happiness and joy within the mundane daily tasks because you are connected home to the divine. And through this connection there is a Knowing in every cell of your being that each breath you take is a gift of life to you from your creator and it is not to be taken for granted.
Namaste
