5 of my favorite lessons from the mat
If you don’t practice yoga (and yes, contrary to popular belief, I am well aware that not everyone does), it may come as a surprise to you that there is nary a lesson that you learn while on the mat that you can’t take into your every day life. In fact, much of the true practice of yoga, outside of the asana, the physical part that us Westerners (myself included, until about 5+ years into practicing) tend to think is the only component that yoga is made of, is actually practiced off the mat. Yoga is a way of life. And even if it’s not your way of life, I believe there is a take-away for everyone. Here are five of my favorite lessons from the mat, to which I accredit my mentors and teachers that spread the gift of yoga every damn day. Endless gratitude!
The transitions are the hardest part. Don’t be afraid to fall. If you’re transitioning from a standing pose to a balancing pose, there is a good chance you may fudge up your footing and land on your face. If you are transitioning into a new job, school, relationship, there is also a good chance you may lose your footing and land flat on your face. Now what? Dust your booty off and get the heck back up—with gentle and loving kindness, of course. This is where the growth happens: taking risks, figuring out what works, getting clarity on what does not, and discovering what authentically brings you a sense of joy.
Be kind to your body. Need I say more? Taking care of our body is essential for the growth of our spirit and our soul. No news here: I have not always been so good at this. But over time, I have grown to feel a deeper and deeper sense of gratitude for my mobility, my strength and even the parts of my body that used to cause me so much grief that I was willing to give up living a full life to make them smaller. What a web of illness I was living in! My body is important to me—but not for flat abs or a firm tushy (though sure, those things can be nice, too, if that’s your thing…and even if it’s not). My body is important to me because it houses my soul, and offers me freedom to do the things I love most—like, um…yoga.
You may not be able to get off the hamster wheel spinning around in your mind, but maybe you can slow it down. I love this sentiment. It offers sound advice, without so much pressure. Cause really, who (the Dali Lama, perhaps?) can entirely put the brakes on that fucking hamster wheel. However, the notion of simply slowing it down, giving yourself permission to observe the wheel rather than actively participate in keeping it going, that sounds like something we can all give a go.
Reach as far as you can without being attached to the results. We are a society that often bases our success and self-worth on achievement. Rather than enjoying the journey, we focus on the finish line. What if you tried something new and embraced falling, or failing? What if you gave something scary a shot just because you were after the experience? You may reach for your toes and get no further than your knees, or you may muster up the courage to ask for a promotion, and get the “maybe another 3-6 months” response. Reach without expectations. Reach because each time we do, we grow and gain insight into ourselves. Reach because you can. I encourage you—no, I implore you—to do this.
Don’t forget to breathe. It’s essential. Right now: can you pause and take a deep inhale, hold it at the top (1…2…3), and the take a slow and steady exhale? When we slow down our breath, we slow down our thoughts. We give ourselves just a little more space for serenity, we may notice a few less “monkeys” jumping around in our mind, giving us an opportunity to let go of the incessant chatter that we all too often over identify with. Just breathe, sweet human. Breathe and be. Relinquish control (cause spoiler alert: ya ain’t got any!) and let the Universe handle that ish. It’s got your back. Trust me.
Try to remain grounded. Keep your eyes on your own “mat”. Dig deep, and pull back, at the appropriate times. Give yourself room to play. Fuck up (yes, you heard me: Fuck. Up.). And always, always allow your breath to guide you back into yourself, helping you to set a pace that feels right for you and one that offers a sense of peace and clarity on this crazy journey we call life.