Facing Discomforts of Change

In this week's practices we have been exploring posture. This foundational exploration is always illuminating. Life is not linear but circular and starting at the beginning, as in this week's posture practices, takes what I have learned since I was here before and gives new insights in ever widening circles of awareness. Our bodies are influenced by many different things and in a constant state of change (as is the macrocosm). Our subtle body attunement brings an unfolding awakening into seeing the unseen.

During a quick check in I noticed something I hear often: the acknowledgement of how far I have to go. It’s often partnered with judgement or criticism or overwhelm. This common experience can lead to all sorts of excuses to avoid the necessary discomforts of change. The ancient texts of yoga call these the 9 hindrances that prevent our growth. Translated into modern living they might show up like this: news, netflix or media binging, over eating/drinking, shopping and other distractions, skipping practices, excuses, more criticism, self doubt, wanting results without putting the time in or with just a quick fix, apathy, resignation, looking outside rather than inward, excuses and blame.

Dismantling the patterns that are no longer serving us can be really uncomfortable, especially at first when we start to ID them.

Don’t be dismayed!
Keep showing up!

Mary Oliver in her poem Wild Geese says: You do not have to be good.You do not have to walk on your kneesfor a hundred miles through the desert repenting.You only have to let the soft animal of your bodylove what it loves.

You are already whole- sitting here today, reading this, living, breathing, thinking, digesting, feeling, sensing, seeing. Even if I were missing a leg, I would still be “whole”. Whole is not the same as ‘perfect’ (free from faults or defects). Whole means ‘complete, entire, intact’. The work of our practice is subtle and it is not about removing defects, but uncovering the wholeness that is already available. Rumi said: Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.'
Can you turn toward the mystery, awe, miracle that is you?
Can you see that your body has not betrayed you, in fact it’s the opposite!
Can you stop sending parts into exile? Can you make space for grace, compassion, curiosity? Seeing yourself as already whole is part of the pathway to balance, ease and resilience.

Marcel Proast: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in seeing with new eyes.”

Let yourself be perfectly imperfect. 

I’ll see you tomorrow-
Friday 9am for Mindful Strength
1pm for a yummy Restorative

If you missed classes this week or want to review they are all available in the lessons library.

You can also still join the series!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon~Jennifer

Reaching the Depths

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." --Helen Keller
I long to have impact, to not waste my life, to fulfill my purpose and destiny. I strive, think, write, work, will it to be.
This wanting feels big and sincere and meaningful…
And, my evolution on the mat and in this season of life brings humility in the face of these longings.
I run out of time, of energy, of motivation. In my surrender, I remember that my work isn’t about a grand quest for greater things, but a deeper settling into the simple and sacred routines and celebrations. I am quieted and softened in these spaces of what I discover has profound depth. What seems small from the outside, takes me deep into the mystery and wonder of all life. Here, I encounter peace, tranquility, and contentment. To see that the simple tasks of pouring a cup of tea, taking a walk or listening deeply in conversation ARE purposeful, meaningful, big and sincere.

On the mat, the quest we often come with is ambitious, a desire for change- to be stronger, better, to lose weight, to hold plank, to go further in a pose. Yes, these are potentially fruits of a practice. But, to simply feel my hands on the floor in tabletop pose, or to set up props and sit comfortably for 10 minutes in quiet, or sit in ‘not knowing’, are often the experiences that deepen the practice and uncover the stories beneath the surface. Freeing our ideals and releasing ourselves from the undercurrent of our striving places, brings us toward greater contentment and ease.

I am grateful for the sweet reminder of Helen Keller’s quote as I settle in with a ‘less is more’ attitude.

J~