Beginners Mind

Without making a change just yet, take a moment and notice your posture.  Are your shoulders slouched forward?  Does this cause a pain in your lower back or your neck?  Are your eyes straining because you're too far from the screen or aren't wearing your glasses?  Are your lips pursed, tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth, teeth tightly shut?  Notice if you're holding something in your body that isn't benefiting you right now.  Where are your hands, do they need to be placed that way to read this or could they be more relaxed?  

An Unconscious  Choice

Now, choose one thing that you've realized is unnecessary for you right now.  Recognize why you're holding yourself this way.  Are you protecting something?  Is it because of what someone said to you today?  Or is it just habit? 

A Conscious Choice

Now, make the conscious choice to let it go.  If you're slouched, choose to bring your shoulders back and down.  If your fingers are over the keyboard ready to type place them on your lap relaxed.  If your leg is uncomfortable move it to a more comfortable position.  Notice what this does for you?  Perhaps you feel a sense of freedom?  Perhaps more energetic?  Or perhaps just a bit more comfortable?  You've just created a bit more space for your thoughts and your energy.  By ridding yourself of obstacles, even the simplest things can block your full being, you've opened up a space that your being can flow through.  You've acknowledged your body and provided it a small sense of peace.  Whilst in the middle of this experience you've mentally challenged yourself to be focused on your body's presence.  You've forgotten the past and future for the moment and brought yourself to the present.  Being present is a leading practice in yoga.  A reality check with your self.

Although Yoga can seem very confusing and overwhelming to the newcomer seeing such extravagant postures, it can be as simple as this exercise you just brought yourself through.  After much study we can begin to attain the beauty of simply being, simply living.  The practice of yoga can lead to our empowerment through enlightenment.

  

Yoga is the union of our self and our divinity.  We create a wholeness that is attained from the physical, mental and emotional process of release.  Our energies collide and join as one.  Our thoughts form into a single entity, creating peace and happiness.  We attain full complete health and wholeness.  Our mind and body are pure.  Applying the tools yoga provides we are able to use the breath and the body to re-balance our systems.  We reach a sense of calmness, compassion, clarity and self-assurance through perseverance, repetition, self-awareness and patience within our practice.  Yoga can be exercised both on the mat and throughout your daily life.  We can consciously choose to watch our life and breath deeply through each action and non-action allowing ourselves to experience each instant to its fullest.  Attaining this peace and consciousness brings out our power, our creativity, our personal animal.  We can discover who we really are if we can be true to ourselves through our practice on the mat.  In class, we learn to leave behind the emotion of the day and focus directly on ourselves and the moment we are experiencing here and now.  But it all begins when you choose to make the conscious effort to let go.