Isn't it amazing how you can hear some messages and they sink in; they are visceral. You may have heard the same message before but you are not ready to listen. Then when you are ready, when the time is right, the message makes sense, and reminds you of all the other times you have heard something similar. Like it's been stored and waiting for its moment to shine. I was cleaning the kitchen table this morning, when I heard the line above from the song Spotless by Zach Bryan and The Lumineers. It made me stop, and all of a sudden it made sense to me on a deep, meaningful level. For those who know me well, know that lyrics to songs are not my strong point, I literally can't hear them, but this was loud and clear.
In January, as a YogaRoo collective, we have been embodying the quality of reflection, harnessing our energy so that when spring arrives we are ready to renew. But more than that, the 'work' we do in class is "to get to who (we) are". We shed versions of ourselves that we masquerade as.
I heard a podcast the other day by Mel Robins, and in this she was talking about how it is only ever us that holds us back from achieving our dreams. Not us as we sit here and read this blog, an old version of us that was bullied, or told by someone they were not good enough, or the old you who struggled to make friends, the version of you that didn't know you had a neurodiversity growing up (these are just examples). But whatever the reason it means you are held back; not by circumstances beyond you, or by other people. Just you. The amazing thing about this is, that means YOU have the ability to CHOOSE which YOU shows up everyday.
When we practice yoga, we always start the class in a constructive rest and I ask "how have you shown up today?" Essentially which version of you is lying on the mat right now? At the end of the class we close with savasana = sava (corpse) asana (pose). It can sometimes be the hardest pose because we are still and quiet for at least 5 minutes - you have to sit with yourself. There are so many reasons in our modern lives to avoid sitting with ourselves, but this part of the class encourages us to listen, witness and check in. It is called corpse pose because at the end of each class there is a mini rebirth; there has been a change, a growth, a transformation. And maybe we leave a little bit closer to our authentic self each time.
The more we continue to do this work, the more we open ourselves up and attract a life that feels good, makes sense and is abundant. But this work means we have to shed layers, feel vulnerable, feel exposed and "die a thousand times". All of this though is not a regression, it is a progression - with every version of you that is shed, the true you is able to show up.
My whole purpose in life and in business is to support myself, my family, friends and anyone who I share a yoga practice with to; understand, feel, transform; to be your authentic self. And so when you choose to practice with me, yes we will feel physically better, but it is SO much more than that.
understand, feel, transform; to be your authentic self.
Maybe the thought of finding your authentic self is quite scary, maybe you have been distracting yourself or running away from being with yourself; but I wonder if it is way more scary to come to the end of your life never having been comfortable with who you are.
So from me to you - don't be afraid to "die a thousand times to get to who (you) are" surely that is way better than only dying once, knowing nothing.
Here's to being a wonderful bunch of very unique humans, finding their way on a very unique path. Let's enjoy it all.
From my heart to yours
Namaste xx
