space

creating space, the topic of a yoga class I recently attended. creating space within, as a tool to help us get into a pose. creating space, taking it slowly, letting go of the result, working on the way to a pose - creating space inside yourself to let all this happen.

you're fully within, spacious and non-attached, focused, breathing. and maybe for a little moment all feels right, your body might take you somewhere you never thought you could go...Samyama.

full concentration and meditative mind lead you to that split second of bliss. and as my teacher mentioned, it happens all the time. not necessarily in a yogic context. but it's the moment we fully engage with what we do, set our attention, in a non-attached way.

to me practicing with creating space within my body and enjoying the lightness this brings - to mind and body - gave my practice a whole new experience.

for quite some time now I am comfortable going to any place to practice. to roll out my mat and with that have my space. no matter how close the mat of another practitioner in class is. no matter how close to me the kids do, well, whatever they do. no matter how many people at the park are interested in what I am doing. I usually find my focus and concentration, most of the time not even knowing who was practicing next to me.

to me this was quite an achievement. I do avoid crowded places, noisy places... so for me the next step is to take this focus and concentration off my mat and into all the places I need or want to go. taking me to the point - taking the Yoga out of the studio and off the mat - where the "real" Yoga happens - everyday life.

knowing that this is what you want one day, maybe the reason you started this practice. fully aware that it's a step by step process - practicing patience.

some places I teach at have a mirrored wall and I observe so many students constantly checking themselves in the mirror.

from time to time this can be wonderful and the mirror can be your reminder of little alignment issues. for the ones who just started Asana practice though it makes it so much harder to stay focused and feel.

that's why right now I am trying to help this students to avoid looking in the mirror or at least take the time to get into a pose, feel it and then, if they really can't help it, have a look.

and believe me, as much patience as this takes from my students, it also does ask my patience. I need to remind myself how I did just the same thing when I started this Asana journey and how tempted I can still be when the mirror is there.

looking at all this, my concentration and focus starts with the moment I roll out my mat. at home or at a studio, outdoors... no matter where. I set my space. the space I use to create more space within to concentrate to focus to maybe take me to a little moment of full bliss in my yoga practice. this I absorb and take with me once I step off the mat, back into everyday life.