How the popular practice can leak off your mat and into your world.

What’s all the fuss about yoga?

Whether you are brand new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, there is something magical, mysterious and often indescribable that draws us to our mats.

As a yoga teacher, mother and artist, I often find myself inquiring about this wonderful internal space we create while on our mats. I consider it an adult “time-out”—or maybe it could be better described as “time-in.”

Our lives tend to be filled with timelines, agendas, external opinions and continuous stimulation pulling our energy in all directions. Time spent in yoga practice is sacred space away from all the noise.

We may come to the mat to stretch, sweat or meditate. Whatever the reason, I always hope for my students to leave with a little extra twinkle in their eye.

As we begin to create awareness about the deep connection between our mind, body and spirit, we are opening a can of worms from deep in the soul to express our truest self in the world. This can be a scary process for those of us stuck in our comfort-zone way of living.

If there is one tidbit to take away from this blog, it would be an invitation to begin your own journey of self-discovery and self-inquiry.

I have created a little recipe to play with. Adapting and straying from the recipe is always an option.

Ingredients:

• 1 yoga mat
• 2 expandable lungs
• Your beating heart
• A sense of humor
• Willingness to sweat
• Courage to feel shit

Directions:

Get on your mat, and become the observer of your breath and body. Pay particular attention to areas of tension and resistance. This is often a sign there is some letting-go that needs to happen. Soften. Relax.

At this point, there is a possibility for internal weather patterns to emerge. Thunderstorms (anger), torrential rainfall (crying), rainbows, wind—or maybe it is just calm and wonderful.

Whatever is happening, let it be perfect.

Continue to explore your physical asana. This is where the moving, sweating and utilizing your expandable lungs comes in.

If you get angry at your teacher, that’s fairly normal; just know they are human, too. You can always be rebellious and do child’s pose.

If you are at home, there is no one to get mad at but yourself. Let it go. Just remember energy flows where attention goes. Keep your eyes on the prize. (The prize being inner peace.)

Continue to let the sweat roll off. Let the muscles burn and stretch and remember that pumping organ inside your chest that will be smiling at you for all your hard work.

Last but not least, finish off your practice with a little savasana or seated meditation. This space will allow your yoga cupcakes to set for future frosting. This step is not optional!

Take your internal sweetness out into the world to share.

Next time, we will explore finding rainbows and unicorns swimming through your heart during savasana! You won’t want to miss it.

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Assist. Ed: Michelle Margaret/Ed: Sara Crolick