Dear Yogis,
In early 2020 a Yoga Teacher friend came onto our morning zoom meditation and study group. He said “Meditation and Pranayama will make you bulletproof against the stress of 2020”.
This was a truth we all discovered for ourselves as we collectively moved through such a difficult time together. The days we didn’t meet and do our practices were significantly harder days. And it was only 30 minutes each morning. That short time commitment lasted for 12 hours after.
When choosing to incorporate asana (physical yoga posture practice) the steady internal state lasted for days longer.
For many a state of stress gets internalized and we forget there’s a way out. This body/mind we inhabit is an electrical, undulating, ever changing vehicle. It needs daily upkeep.
Instead of the daily narrative of “I” am stressed, what if we shift our perspective to my body/mind vehicle is stressed? Then we can move into more solution based actions. Really insert whatever word we’ve been internalizing- anxious, fearful, sad, overwhelmed, incapable, unhappy, uncomfortable, sick…the list goes on.
As yoga teaches the true “I” is permanent. The “I” is our consciousness that is always present, unchanging and unwavering. When we mistake the “I” for the always changing states and emotions of the body/mind vehicle it causes undue deep suffering.
We should not deny or ignore these states or not choose to process them in a healthy way but, we should also not build an identity around them that replaces the TRUE “I”. It will create a situation where healing will be harder to take place.
For example you break your foot (a part of your vehicle) and instead of recognizing it’s a problem of the body/mind vehicle that needs a solution based action (go to the hospital and get it fixed) you misidentify the foot with the self. Walking around the house carrying on that “I AM BROKEN”. Repeating this to the point where you feel completely demotivated and incapable of correcting the problem. Never taking the action needed to correct it.
“I” is permanent and unchanging. This is an internal truth. If I AM BROKEN you can never fix it, you will always be broken. But, what yoga teaches is the true you is perfect, unbroken, blissful, full of love and peace. The material body/mind/world cannot touch that.
When you fix the broken foot you return to your baseline of feeling good again. Yes?
Our nervous system (which is a part of our body/mind vehicle) affects a lot: our brain, hormones, emotions and so much more. So it needs to be regulated daily. This isn’t talked about enough in our culture. If you agitated it, it’s vitally important that you soothe it as well with healthy sustainable methods.
Work, an argument, not enough sleep, money woes, relationship problems, poor diet, having children relying on you, having partners rely on you, passing of loved ones, illness, menstruation, menopause, a sudden disappointment, emotional triggers, trauma, too much screen time, social media, the news and more, can dis-regulate the nervous system.
Every time you come to the studio you’re getting the opportunity to regulate your nervous system. Things that regulate it are a calm clean environment, being with loved community, supportive conversations, asana (physical yoga poses and somatic movement), Meditation, Breath work, Savasana (corpse pose), Kirtan (singing), safe hands on adjustments, a positive change of perspective and more.
The entire environment here is intentionally preparing you to counteract all the stresses of life. It is a vital part of the upkeep of good health which is why we do what we do. It’s why we offer what we offer.
So be sure to get back to your daily upkeep of your nervous system and register for your next class online or in studio.
Wishing you deep peace, contentment and enlightenment.
In love,
Amanda and the good folks at Revolution Yoga
Originally shared in our June 2022 newsletter.