It's not what happens to you, but how
you react to it that matters."-Epictetus
If you have a debilitating phobia
or anxiety,
psychologists have an effective way to systematically
desensitize the triggers, by first teaching
you a relaxation skill. Then you'd be taught
to use
that relaxation technique in response to
graduated
amounts of stimuli from the annoying
object or activity. Overtime, you would be
able to defuse reactions of fear or dread and
respond in a more normal manner.
That same "response to graduated amounts
of stimuli" is how I view my current yoga
practice. Over the years, the Mother
Sequence has slowly taught me to react
with a feeling of joy as I inhale and
a sense of pervading peace when I
exhale. It has become, meditation in motion.
There were days when I focused more on
the physical, the postures. On other days I
paid attention to lengthening my breath or
reciting the 12
mantras during sun salutations to steady
my mind. Slowly, so slowly, my body has
found ease and my left and right brains have
learned to enjoy their syncopation. All of
that activity, now allows me to react, by
choice, with joy and peace when merely breathing.
I'm now exploring the benefits of
teaching these qualities at the introductory
level of yoga and also taking those lessons
with me as I learn new skills outside of
yoga. The body and
mind don't have to be conquered like some
phobia, in order for the spirit to emerge in
joy and peace. When we start with a happy
ending in mind, our choices and reactions
along the way will play along as well.
Next Week: How to practice while seated at
your computer.
Photo: TricycledTeenager