Sit on your ASANA - Habit Energy

It is a Monday afternoon after a week off for half term and a long Jubilee Bank Holiday; I have a cuppa, my incense sticks are on (obviously) and I'm enjoying the calm before I do the school run.

Over half term, I had plenty of opportunity to think about how we might practice yoga regularly but really it is only when you are trying to get the whole family out for the day that you learn whether you can apply your yoga practice. Man, why is it so hard to get everyone out and ready on time? I can only just about manage my own time, but throw 3 other people into the mix, all seemingly on different time scales, with different agendas; it blows my mind! I think as time goes on, I am able to apply my practice more often than not; HOWEVER, there are times that I don't at ALL, I lose myself and then of course comes the added layer of guilt. Sometimes, I manage to do both; "Breathing in, I know I am losing my s**t, breathing out, yep, I am still losing my s**t".

Which, brings me onto something called Habit Energy. I first heard this idea from Thich Nhat Hanh

"Our habit energy is what causes us to repeat the same behaviour thousands of times. Habit energy pushes us to run, to always be doing something, to be lost in thoughts of the past or the future and to blame others for our suffering. And that energy does not allow us to be peaceful and happy in the present moment".

"The practice of mindfulness helps us to recognise that habitual energy. Every time we can recognise the habitual energy in us, we are able to stop and to enjoy the present moment. The energy of mindfulness is the best energy to help us embrace our habit energy and transform it" - Thich Nhat Hanh

The first paragraph describes how I felt before I started yoga or any mindfulness training, the second paragraph is describing how I feel now. This has changed my relationship with myself, the people I share my life with and how I interact with the world. The more I have listened and observed the more I understand about myself; the way I respond to situations, stressors and other people. And then it is from this place I can make a choice about how to respond. Of course sometimes I react; but then I feel open enough to reflect on that. Why did I react in that situation, how did it feel? Where did my mind go? We are not rigid beings, often we think "that is just how I am", but of course it isn't or it doesn't have to be.

We try to understand and change things beyond ourselves, or put emphasis on contentment, peace or happiness in something. Maybe we understand our jobs, our things, or other people, more than we do about ourselves.

I understand that some people are actively (but not necessarily knowingly) trying to get away from themselves; maybe through trauma or some unmet need. We may have always lived in this habitual way so that any slowing down or stopping to listen can be jarring and uncomfortable. But with time and patience and a little self care, it is possible to experience ourselves and our lives with more peace.

Here is a little insight into how I experience this habit energy:

HABITUAL BODY SENSATIONS

- A feeling that my body is trying to catch up with my mind

- Tight jaw

- Breathing high in my chest

- Right side of my face feels tighter and I get a funny taste in my mouth (more about this on another blog)

- Hold breath

- Hold a smile on my face (think it is called Positive Affect)

HABITUAL THOUGHTS/FEELINGS

- Planning

- Thinking ahead a few steps

- Self doubt

- Catastrophising

- Seek comfort

- Wanting things to be other than they are

- Seeking control

- Feel more disconnected

HABITUAL ACTIONS

- Eat chocolate

- Drink more 'normal' tea

- Rush

- Doing more than one thing at a time

- Thinking about the next thing whilst doing something else

- Try to find connection through going online (which then makes me feel worse)

I mean this doesn't all happen at the same time, but some of these may come up and if I start to notice even one of them I LISTEN and then I BREATHE, I PAUSE and then I CHOOSE.

Taking a moment to breathe, feel the actual body sensations at that time (not trying to change them), just feeling them, experiencing what has popped up in my mind, and then bringing focus back to my feet, or whatever I have contact with helps bring me back. Helps stop the rush, the feeling of moving forward in my mind and in my body. It gives me space and a sense of stillness. And I think, because my natural tendency was always to rush, to be doing the next thing already; this is why I love to S L O W things D O W N. Henceforth my Slow Flow classes. We breathe and we move and that's it.

I wonder if this resonates with you in anyway? I invite you to check in with your habit energy, and then maybe, just maybe over time getting out of the house can become a little easier.

Much love and namaste xx