|
"Look deep into nature, then you will understand everything better"
Albert Einstein |
Yogic musings!In our society many of us are constantly 'on-the-go' and we are required to be 'in bloom' so much of the time. A flower can't be in bloom all the time and all living things go through the cycles of the seasons, maintaining their perfect balance through rest/growth or death/rebirth without thought or effort.
If we want to feel great, we need to take some lessons from nature.... we need the receptivity and restorative stillness of Yin energy from where creativity and inspiration can arise in order that we then have the Yang drive and energy to act on our ideas and express ourselves fully like the shining Sun or a flower in bloom!! We need to pay attention to our inner world as much as our outer world....
|
|
Yin/Feminine/Shakti
Inner world, introvert Receptive Rest, being Dark, night-time Winter Earth Moon (many moods!) Soft Creative (right-brain) Inhale (receiving) Menstruation (winter of our cycle) |
Yang/Masculine/Shiva
Outer world, extrovert Active Action, doing Light, day-time Summer Sky Sun (constant) Strong Analytical (left-brain) Exhale (expressing) Ovulation (summer of our cycle) |
|
Yoga as the Union of Opposites
The Power of Shiva & Shakti, masculine & feminine united.
|
All forms of yoga that I'm aware of are based on Hatha Yoga. Hatha is Sanskrit for 'Sun Moon' (Sun representing action and Moon representing rest). Yoga can be defined as the Union of Polarities. Embracing all of life in its opposites, be they dark or light. Inhale, exhale, left and right...When we are united in our polarities, we feel wholeness, togetherness.
The point of Yoga isn't actually to tone our bodies (although vanity is a pretty good reason to do it!!) It's about Life. It has its roots in ancient Tantra which can be described as 'the direct intimacy with reality.' Feeling all that is present. If we deny our sadness, we are less able to feel the fullness of happiness. And if we deny our need for rest, we are less able to thrive in times of action. Life becomes more grey. By living ALL of who we are - the joy AND the pain, we can be in the fullness of all that is Life. |
In order to truly feel, we need presence and awareness at each moment in time. This is where the tools of Yoga come in handy. Combining movement with breath awareness - being here in your current condition - without denying anything. Without trying to get anywhere. As the Buddhists would agree, human suffering is trying to be something you are not. If we surrender to the Now, as we are, we feel peace and even bliss. This is really why I do my (almost)daily practice!! It sounds simple and is simple...sort of. It's what the trees and the flowers do without a thought!!
"The journey and the destination are the same"