In Asana class the other day we talked about balancing strive with acceptance and humility. Our physical practice can invoke our striving nature, our need to compete, to improve, or ‘collect’ postures, especially the ones we see as advanced. This can distract us from our path, and can lead to frustration and injury. Depth in our practice must be balanced with humility and acceptance.
I recalled as a boy fishing with my father, We practiced ‘catch and release’ fishing. When hooked, we’d haul the fish in, unhook her, and set her free.
I thought about how that could be a metaphor for how we can aspire to live. With a loose grip on things and experiences, we can flow with what is, that dance between grasping and contentment, The sanskrit terms are: Graha and Santosha.
Everything is on loan, including the breath you just took. (stop reading, sit up straight, close your eyes and take three long, smooth, borrowed breaths)
I was always horrified to catch a fish, it is such an act of violence. Don’t tell dad, but towards the end of my fishing hobby I realized that if I didn’t bait the hook, I wouldn’t catch anything. Dad would be hauling them in, calling over to me , "Any bites?" nope, none at all Dad.
Vinyasa Yoga is to flow with breath and intention. Why limit this to Yoga class?
Live in Vinyasa, loosen your grip on things, thoughts, and experiences… Breathe. Catch and release. Step into your flow.
Om Shanti, Peace to the fishes. I’ll see you in class.
-j
p.s. did you do the three breaths? Couple spots still open for the Invoking Shiva class this weekend, and our Fall Retreat is 3/4′s full, or would that be 1/4 empty ? Let me know right away if you’d like to join us. Details on the Yoga Events page.
