How to cultivate Flexibility + Strength
Yoga Sutra 2.46 “Sthira Sukham Asanam”. Loosely defined, we should strive to practice yoga with strength and in a relaxed manner.
We can strive to show up on our mats everyday, truth is it may or may not happen. This practice of flexibility and strength is having the determination to try, to make a bold statement and to follow through. If this doesn’t happen then we can put a whole lot of “shoulds” on ourselves which dangles over us (in our minds) as more of a task that becomes a burden. Today we are releasing the amount of shoulds we put on ourselves and honoring what we need. When we set too many rules, we can set ourselves up to fail. Same goes with the practice of yoga. In a balance posture, if we fall or find it challenging, we can then label ourselves as a beginner yogi or not want to get back up and try again. As Ryan says, “the pose begins when you want to come out”.
To insert the practice of strength, when you fall, get back into the pose. Have the strength to embrace those poses that are more challenging, to show up at a class that you may think you can’t keep up with or that is testing you in some way.
The postures to explore today:
1)Natarajasana [dancers pose] Nataraja is another name for Shiva and his dance symbolizes cosmic energy.
2) Upward Bow [Wheel] Pose Urdhva Dhanurasana can help — and strengthen your arms, legs, abdomen, and spine and raise your energy level
To practice being in a relaxed and steady manner, have a sweet face, gentle thoughts about yourself and knowing that you have nothing to prove. You are focusing on your breath and becoming immersed more deeply in your practice with each pose. This can be construed to being lazy or not trying, with each pose there is an element of this stability however the impact is truly in finding the balance of the two (strength and ease). Today play with this stability in a couple poses, here’s some to try:
- Paschimottanasana [Seated Forward Bend]
Fold into Paschimottanasana to help a distracted mind — and your hamstrings — unwind.
- Vrksasana [Tree Pose]
A classic standing posture, Vrksasana establishes strength and balance in the legs, and helps you feel centered, steady and grounded.
As I tell my kids, you aren’t going to be great at the activities you haven’t practiced for hours.
I’ll leave you with this sweet reminder from me to you:
The Promise
I promise to let you explore
Let you be where you are
Explore with what is
To evolve
To fall and pick yourself up again
Love the deep moments
Introduce yourself over and over again
To step on the mat today as if it was the first
To sleep in without judgement
Let the tears roll down your face in savasana
Flow with your breath
To be fully expressed in all your poses
To be YOU
(Now say this again as if you are saying this to yourself)
I promise to let myself explore
Let me be where I am
Explore with what is
To evolve
To fall and pick myself back up again
Love the deep moments
Introduce myself over and over again
To step on the mat today as if it was the first
To sleep in without judgement
Let the tears roll down my face in savasana
Flow with my breath
To be fully expressed in all my poses
To be YOU
With love, Cecily