Looking Within

Looking Within

Your mat is your mirror

I unroll my mat and prepare for today’s yoga practice.  Steve Ross’s voice on the TV welcomes students; then he kicks up his tunes as the practice begins.  He laughs and cracks jokes while guiding us through a series of poses - some easy, some difficult, and some downright frustrating.

I remained loyal to Steve and practiced every Monday thru Friday before heading into work.  Little by little, Steve’s voice became a whisper then it would disappear while I practiced.  I began to hear a new voice that would beg for a longer hip opening series or another back bend.  She knew exactly what I needed to heal what the previous day had broken.

I even began not turning on the TV, and just moving into what felt great for that particular morning.  On days my job was stressful, I would linger in child’s pose for several minutes.  On days when I treated my body well, I was energized and ready for a strong warrior sequence.  I didn’t exactly have a conversation with myself, but let the movement do the talking for me.

Our yoga mat is a reflection of our inner self.  When we step onto the mat, we are given an opportunity dive into our emotions, work out our demons, and find peace within.  Take Downward Facing Dog for example.  Go ahead and try it. 

Start anatomically – how do the hamstrings respond?  Is the weight in the hands too much?  Then begin to see how Down Dog is a reflection of how you are feeling.  Are you tense from the argument you had with your spouse and now your shoulders seem to lift up by your ears?  Is your body craving a deeper chest opening because you finally asked your boss you for a raise?  Move and sway in down dog as you experience the conversation.

My practices may have started 12 years ago, but they continue to change every day.  I encourage all of my students to feel their way through any yoga practice.  Yoga is a tool to help connect the breath, the mind and the body.  Each practice will be different than the one before.  Go ahead.  Step onto your mat and gaze into the mirror.