Pause by Trisha DeCesare

Have you ever been in Savasana(Corpse Pose)?  If so, you know that blissful state of total relaxation that occurs at the end of our asana practice.  It’s the time we allow our bodies to settle into our mats and enjoy the pure pleasure of peace.

At the end of Savasana, the teacher instructs us to deepen our breath and to begin to wiggle fingers and toes, hug our knees into our chest and roll to the right side.  Then what??  Do we ever truly pause in that moment? 

Too often that important pause is hurried and sometimes even forgotten.  After all, it’s only a pause and we have more important things to do, right?  Wrong!  We know that Yoga is more than just going from one pose to the next.  It’s about breathing and moving through the poses.  It’s about noticing the moments between effort and ease.  And that’s exactly what the pause is all about.

To me, that pause is the essence of yoga.  It’s the perfect time to feel the stillness and peacefulness you’ve cultivated in your practice.  Your body is heavy and supported by the earth beneath you, your breath has slowed down and your mind chatter has quieted.  Ah, the pleasure of that moment, if only we take the moment to recognize it.

Next time, as you roll to your right side, play with the idea of staying in the fetal position for 8-10 full breath cycles before you push yourself up to a seated position.  Feel the pure joy of your practice at that very moment.

As a long time student, I cherish that moment and stay there as long as I need, even if the entire class already moved on to their OM’s.  As a teacher, I emphasize the importance of that moment with my students.  There is nothing like watching thirty people rolled into a fetal position, body heavy, breath soft, completely still.  The peaceful expression on their faces once they come to a seated position is priceless.  It’s the true meaning of “letting go”. It’s a time of transition, from your practice to the “real world”.  My hope is that this pause allows each of us the opportunity to draw upon our sense of well-being so that we can carry it into our daily lives.

What if you don’t practice yoga or didn’t have time to roll out your mat today?   There is still room for the practice of pausing.  Right now, close your eyes and take five deep inhales and exhales.  Feel the pause between the breaths.  When you’re ready, slowly blink your eyes open and notice how you feel. 

We all live such a fast paced life and rarely take the time to stop, even if it is for only 30 seconds.  But the truth is that no matter how busy our schedules, we can all find 30 seconds if we really want to.  It could be when we wake up, standing in line at the grocery store or when we’re picking up our kids from soccer practice.  We all deserve this time to re-connect back to what is really important, our health and well-being.

Namaste

Trisha DeCesare | Certified Yoga Teacher, RYT-500 |  Valley Village, CA

balancedyoga@gmail.com | www.balancedmbs.com 

Click here to learn more about Trisha DeCesar

When is Enough Enough?? by Amy Bishop

Recently, I went to a play group with some wonderful Mommy friends of mine. There are probably about a dozen of us with young toddlers who get together from time to time. The babies play, the mommies catch up. I don’t always get to go because of work, but when I do it’s a great time. This morning, as some of the moms, who are primarily stay-at-home moms, were talking about the classes their wee ones take, I felt a little sting. As a single working mom, I don’t get to take my son to classes, nor can I afford for him to be in several types of classes each week. I had a moment of feeling like I just wasn’t doing enough for my son. I wasn’t there enough. I wasn’t able to provide well enough. I wasn’t giving enough.

I then went to a client of mine who was telling me about two upcoming trips she has planned. One is a break by herself, and one is with her family. They sound like incredible trips, filled with activities and pampering, and I am so filled with travel bug envy, I can’t stand it. Once again, I had the feeling that I wasn’t able to provide enough. I felt like I couldn’t even give myself a much-needed break. I would love to go traveling, but work and bills leave me home meeting basic needs for my little one and myself. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, or I’d be able to go away as well.

After my client, I headed over to the yoga studio where I teach. I overheard some of my colleagues discussing upcoming workshops they will be taking. One was talking about a retreat she was going on. They were all enthusiastic about their continued training and growth. Again, because of the demands of being a single working mom with limited time and funds, I found myself feeling like not enough. I’m not a good enough teacher because I’m not taking these workshops. I’m not a good enough teacher because I haven’t been on nor led any retreats. I’m not enough.

Wow. What a message my sneaky little ego was trying to deliver! After having this consistent feeling of not being enough in any area of my life, I decided I needed to shift my focus. I asked myself a few questions: first of all, “not enough” according to whom? To whom am I answering?! Second, are my son’s and my own needs being met? NEEDS. Not wants. Not would-be-nice’s. Third, WHY am I being so hard on myself, and is it possible to look at my life from someone else’s perspective… someone who might be thinking “Wow, look how together she is! Look at everything she manages! Amazing!”

Yes, we can be much harder on ourselves than we ever would be on anyone else. But who does that serve? Does that make me a better mom, a better friend, and better teacher? Can I find the compassion that I give lovingly to everyone else and turn it inward? What are the ways I can slay this not-enough monster?

The first is by recognition and gratitude. I can look at all of the positives in my life, and I can take the time to say thank you. I can be appreciative of the “little things”, you know, like my excellent health and my healthy and wonderful son! Second, I can stop comparing myself, and I can stop assuming that everyone else has it all. No one knows what is really going on for another person, and more importantly, it has NOTHING to do with me! And finally, I can know that I am doing my best in every single moment and can choose to feel fulfilled.

If you ever experience moments where you feel you’re not enough, try this:

Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths. Begin to feel grateful for your health exactly as it is. Feel grateful for the health of those who surround and support you each day. Think of at least five things in your life for which you are grateful. Then say this mantra either out loud or to yourself:

I have enough. I do enough. I am enough.

Repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

I have enough.

I do enough.
I am enough.   

Because you are. 

Amy Bishop | Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT500, Personal Trainer | New York, NY
imayogini@gmail.com 

Click here to learn more about Amy.