Perseverance

The Warriors: A practice of Perseverance



This winter has given us an opportunity to practice perseverance, among other things. We have been inundated with unpleasantness, the likes of which we haven't seen in years.



We are all faced with choices in our lives. Sometimes we are forced to deal with situations that are frustrating, depressing, or upsetting in some way. While the desire to run from the situation that produces such negativity within is completely understandable, sometimes you will reap greater benefits by staying.



This may resonate with you if you have children. Or pets. Or a long term partner. Our relationships are a constant means of comfort and love, with a dose of challenge and stress. You are the only one who can decide if the benefits out weigh the strain. Just how big a dose can you handle?







The weather is a convenient example of this idea. Do you hate cold and snow? Don't live in the northeast United States. But, what if you have chosen to live in Texas? Or Florida? Or any of the warmer states? This year you would have had to endure through some unusual weather.



This week on the mat you will explore the limits of your perseverance. How quickly do you come out of a challenging pose? Can you encourage yourself to persist through a challenging posture? Examine how your inner monologue plays a roll in holding you back or moving you on.
This will be a great place to practice some loving kindness toward yourself. Support yourself through strain. Know what action is going to fill you with a feeling of accomplishment after, and what is going to be detrimental.



Yoga teaches us so much about perseverance. Particularly in the way to move skillfully; moving through our limitations. There is room for modifications. In fact, not only is there room for modifications, their use shows wisdom. That's key when considering problem solving in life. Maybe you can't stand something but can do something similar in a manner that suits you and your skills. Modify your perspective to accomplish what you need to do, regardless of emotion.

Self Appreciation

In keeping with last week's intention, this week we will explore the idea of self appreciation. It's a subject that may not appeal to everyone. In some cases, people may feel awkward about appreciating themselves. It may feel egotistical or vain to invest positive mental speak and feeling toward themselves. Others may feel this a simple undertaking, thinking themselves especially capable. Maybe others feel it a topic not in keeping with a yoga class.

Self esteem is an important part of everyones' life. It will strongly influence the quality of your life. Take time to be honest with yourself. How self deprecating are you? And where is the line between self deprecation and self defeat? How tight to you hug that line?

Yoga is a practical way to live in freedom in the world. It is a philosophy with techniques that bring to life the esoteric and intangible. Asana is more than exercises. It is a physical discipline that will allow you the ability to control your breath, with which you can control you energy, with which you can control your thoughts, after which you will know things you currently believe to be unknowable.
Most whom I know who practice yoga don't have such lofty goals. They just want to live less stressed out lives. Well, yoga can do that too.

One of the ways that you can be successful in your life is by believing in your abilities. This is not vanity. It's practical use of your mind. It's honest. Maybe you can find an objective place in your mind from which to see your own capability.

Perhaps a more accessible way to have self esteem is through the belief that we are of two essential parts. One of the material and one of the spiritual. If it gives you courage to think that you can overcome the worldly because you are of the universe as well, then use it. Make decisions rooted in the knowledge that you are so much more than the flesh and blood you currently occupy. You can do anything as a universal being.

Yoga philosophy has several different groups which think different things about the make up of the universe. The one thing they agree in is that there is a level of existence beyond the physical which we can have access to. Yoga practices are the way to do it.

Whether your goals are to experience samadhi or to simply live happier, practice with the same enthusiasm and belief in yourself

Gratitude

This week we will be inundated with heart stuff. (We have been for weeks already) Heart shaped gifts, chocolate, jewelry. It's always a romantic partnership that is lauded during Valentine's Day. (National Geographic has an interesting article about its' history) And its nice to be romantic, but this week I would rather focus on the gratitude that arises as a result of having any kind of support and connection with another living thing. This is incredibly broad, and purposefully so. While I hope you get to celebrate with your partner the romantic relationship you share, in the interest of inclusion and fostering gratitude, let's do some shoulder work and open to all the ways we can love and be loved.

We are more tolerant of the negativity that can be thrown our way if we love the pitcher. While I am in no way encouraging you to let others take advantage of you,  if we were a little bit more willing to extend that tolerance to others, the world would be much more peaceful.

Siblings parents cousins friends aunts uncles children co-workers teachers students in-laws and especially those who rub you the wrong way. What can you learn by thinking of these people in a less angry attitude? Let's not forget yourself. While it takes mindful awareness to prevent the cross over from self care and appreciation to egocentric narcissism, its well worth the effort. You do no one any good, least of all yourself, when you are masochistic. Take care of yourself in your yoga practice. Show some loving kindness to yourself. Then you will be more able to do the same with others.

Groundedness

Last week you proved to yourself that you can do anything. Being able to let go of that which no longer serves you is well within your ability. This week we will try another tactic to gain that freedom.


Maybe you've met someone who is "down to earth". There is a beautiful freedom in being well grounded. This may seem oxymoronic, but as you ground you become free from disconnection. You become less worried as you feel supported and sure of that support.
As you become more grounded, you become more stable. If you are to make decisions on how to act in a way that furthers your growth and is not reactionary, you must cultivate a steady, stable foundation from which to move. Asana is just the same. If you are to rise up from the earth, you must be firmly connected to it in order to be stable.


This week we will sit more firmly and surely within ourselves. Connecting solidly to the earth provides us the base from which to move with confidence. Rooting down as a tree roots, deeply, we will maintain awareness which will allow us to grow tall and steady.