From Tias Little: In practice we learn to sense and feel that every breath, every pulsation, and every tremor across our skin is unique. It is as if we are leaves that have fallen onto a fast-moving stream. Suspended on the current, in the flow of [Life energy], can I let go into the torrent of time?...We are part of a boundless flow of time.
Practice, and all is coming, Pattabhi Jois is reported to have told his students repeatedly... it is in practice that we can most easily notice and be with the flow and fluidity of time, noticing all that which is coming and going, and perhaps the background awareness that we are, that is ever and always present
From Tias Little: In practice we learn to sense and feel that every breath, every pulsation, and every tremor across our skin is unique. It is as if we are leaves that have fallen onto a fast-moving stream. Suspended on the current, in the flow of [Life energy], can I let go into the torrent of time?...We are part of a boundless flow of time. This week's reading continues our exploration of presence, fluidity, flow and flux - in practice and in life - and how these impact our quality of life and our ability to respond skilfully to its challenges.
From Tias Little: To what extent we allow ourselves to be in the river of constant flux determines our overall quality of life. By living in the always new we feel more alive, more attentive, open to surprise and discovery. I've been thinking a lot about what helps us navigate pandemics and other life challenges. On an internal individual level, our practice can build our stamina in meeting uncertainty, vulnerability and change. Yoga philosophy offers us the reminder that everything is always fluid and changing. And the practices can provide the tools (such as returning to rest with the breath) which help us to meet the difficulties of life, and the unjust structures of our society, with a deeper consciousness which bears witness to and responds intentionally and wisely to life as we meet it in the moment.
On the other hand there's the underlying structure of the societal systems we live in, and the unearned social privilege or lack of privilege we live with (for example, do we come into new challenges already living with social determinants that bolster or negatively impact our health and health access? do we have access to safe living space? to space to isolate? do we have financial resources? a computer? paid sick time? access to vaccines?.....) On this level, does/how does our yoga practice give us the strength and clarity to bolster not only our own health, but to advocate for societal equity in health as well? From Tias Little: There is an expression in yoga: sadanava. Sada means "ongoing, everlasting", and nava in Sanskrit shares the same origin as the English word "new". Sadanava suggests that things are constantly changing and eternally new. From the outer reaches of the galaxy to the blood vessels at the tip of your finger, nothing is fixed. . Welcome to a new week. We've been focusing on the momentariness of life, and how our minds can get stuck in the past - often wanting things to continue as they were, or becoming rote in our practices - or conversely getting too far ahead of ourselves. Yoga invites us to engage directly with our present moment experience in a state of compassionate and open curiosity and inquiry.
From Tias Little: On the journey, we come to realize that every moment is fresh, spontaneous, and unconditioned. In our minds, however, we may assume that the experience we are having now is one we have had many times before...all too often, we find ourselves going through the motions... [when this happens] the essential life force wanes. The joy in authentic living is not to get stuck in the snare of habit but to find "always new". Happy exploring! |
AuthorMisha Butot RCSW, ERYT 500 is a longtime clinical social worker and senior yoga teacher living in Victoria, BC Archives
April 2024
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