Change is difficult for humans. We often like to either rush past the transition part to get to where we’re going, or resist the change and stay firmly attached to the familiar. We place ourselves in the past or the future instead of that tricky present moment of in-betweenness. Yoga has a lot to teach us here.
The practice of yoga teaches us how to be in the present, and the more we practice the more easily this will come to us both on the mat and in daily life. The yoga I teach is slow and mindful, where paying attention to the pauses and transitions between movements is just as important as the poses and breathing practices themselves.
When I’m teaching yoga you might hear me asking you to:
- Notice the small pause between each inhale and exhale. And to extend those pauses slightly as you stay present with that experience.
- Transition between poses slowly – focusing on how you move from one position to another, noticing your habits, sensations and emotions as you do so.
- Transition mindfully from movement to stillness – gradually slowing things down, as your body and mind adjust and adapt from a physical practice towards stillness in meditation or Savasana.
- Have a gentle transition from the stillness and inner focus of the end of a yoga practice towards the movement and return to the outer world as you prepare to leave. Avoiding the temptation to jump up from Savasana to pack up your things and zoom off to whatever is next on your to do list.
- Notice your mind moving from one thought to another or from thoughts to stillness (and back again!) during meditation. Visualising each thought as a pebble creating ripples on a lake which gradually come to stillness again each time.
- Maintain a beginner’s mindset, remembering that your experience of yoga will be different each time you step on the mat. And realising that presence is more important than what we typically see as “progress”.
So how does this translate to life?
- Can we notice and be present with the space of “in between” in our daily life? In the transitions between days, weeks, months, seasons, and years. In both the expected and unexpected transitions and significant life events.
- Can we give ourselves what we need to move slowly and gradually from one thing to another? Being self-compassionate if there are some transitions that are harder for us than others. And being curious about the possible reasons why.
- Can we support ourselves through the disruption and shock of sudden change with care and comfort? Reaching out for help and support from others as part of this process.
- Can we be present with our thoughts and feelings as they ebb and flow? Remembering that nothing is permanent, our thoughts are not facts, and all feelings are valid in the present moment. Pausing to notice our thoughts and feelings gives us the space to respond constructively rather than having knee-jerk reactions.
It might seem like a leap to go from a yoga practice to these “off the mat” practices. But yoga is about life, it’s not really about what you do on the mat but about how your practice prepares and supports you in life. Our yoga practice trains our nervous system to stay regulated in the face of all the stresses and shocks of life. It’s a life practice. And it’s a life-long practice.
With you on the journey!
Beth x
Peach Yoga 