Now, Yoga
In yoga class this past week, Ellen chose a theme that was appropriate for this time of the New Year. After the Winter Solstice, as the light slowly returns, there is a collective feeling of newness, freshness, and evaluation of our lives—how we’re spending our time, the interplay of individual and collective consciousness. How can we better show up for ourselves? How can we better show up for one another, in simple and profound ways?
Ellen taught from the first Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, “Atha Yoga Anushasanam,” often translated as “Now is the time for the discipline of yoga.” Now, yoga. A “now” that is not just about the literal present moment, but a “now” that is auspicious, sacred, outside and deeply within time and space. While there are times of year that invite newness, this sutra reminds us that the time is always now. The possibility for a new way of relating to our lives is available to all of us, in every moment.
And then there is the discipline of yoga, which is a system of teachings and practices, an invitation toward connection and wholeness. It is not just the practice of asana (physical yoga postures), and it is not even just the practices of the yoga lineage such as breathwork, meditation, and self-study. At its essence, yoga is the quality of attention that we bring to every single moment of our lives. When you are stuck in traffic; this moment, too, is sacred. Perhaps the mundane is just as spiritual, if not moreso, than the moments that feel like they matter.
At this time of year, we often get future focused. Ellen remarked on the buckets of intention that we attempt to fill. Bucket 1: Eat better. Bucket 2: Move your body more. Bucket 3: Yogi’s choice. Setting intentions like this is fine, and can provide a clarity of the commitment that is needed. AND. Sometimes that motivational, future-seeking intention-setting is not actually that helpful. It certainly does not allow for this present moment to speak. What is feeling good and whole right now? How are you meeting yourself with care and compassion, right now? Do you know how worthy of love you are, without a single achievement? The future also doesn’t always respect the past, all of the ways that we have shown up for ourselves that have led to where we are. As we age, there is so much to celebrate.
In my own life, I am very good at long term goal setting. I am good at being a student of life and checking off the boxes. And yet, I can say with absolute certainty that this way of living, for me, has never led to peace. What has helped much more, as subtle as it sounds, is a gentle turning inward to what I need right now. This moment. What feels good and true? Is it a walk? Is it a salad? Is it a donut? Is it a phone call with a friend? Is it sitting on my ass and staring at the wall? Any choice can be holy, as long as it’s aligned to what I actually need. As long as it speaks to where I am.
Of course there are ways that we need to schedule our time, but I think that this scheduling needs to have really soft seams. And the ability, like a mother would to a child, to pivot if the moment doesn’t call for that thing you thought you needed. That’s what this sutra is saying: turn toward what is true for you right now. Respond to this moment, knowing that you are whole.
Take a deep breath. Feel your feet right where they are. Soften what you can soften. Be with yourself like you would with a friend. Hold yourself, all of the parts of you. That is the practice. It is the balance between discipline and sweetness, ease, sukha.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. May all beings be connected in sweet ease.
This year, let’s turn toward the sweetness.
