Best Intentions

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid and say the opposite.

~Sam Levenson

The picture above is of a sign that was outside of the yoga room  at Maya Tulum Resort while taking my latest teacher training with Amazing Yoga. I found it funny after we had a "dance party" inside the yoga room and even more so when I heard from someone in the other yoga room that they heard us while they were practicing... oops lol. 


Anyway... best intentions... I love playing with intentions in yoga... both in my own practice and in my teaching. One I've been enjoying lately is Simplicity. This stems from Saucha - Purity (the first Niyama in the eight limbs of yoga). I love finding many meanings for Sanskrit words and intentions or ideas. Many of us would translate or define words differently anyway, so why not play with many meanings and see what feels good. Saucha is often translated as Purity as in cleanliness of mind, body and surroundings. I love the idea of this being simplicity because it's a breaking down to the basics. Cleaning out the clutter, so to speak, not only externally but of the body, the mind, emotions and spirit. 


When I play with this as an intention, I get to simplify. Simply breathe. Simply feel sensations. Simply make a shape with my body and see what happens. No need to analyze, over instruct myself or others or take things too seriously.  Simply experience. Simply Be.

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway.

Mary Kay Ash

How easy it can be to complicate things. How often do I over-think, want something to be a certain way or strive for perfection. How much easier it is to simplify. Easier is relative. This can also be challenging. My mind may want to tell stories about everything that may be going on in the moment, in the last moment, what may happen in the next moment. When I simplify, there is only now. Only this breath. Only movement, sensation or stillness. Maybe all of those, but I do not need to add my opinion of them or conjure up some reason for why or how something may be in the moment.

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. 

Chinese Proverb
  

I often close my eyes for most of my practice because it helps me simplify down to me on my mat breathing and feeling. I get to turn off distractions around me and really be present in each posture, each breath, each sensation. Especially since becoming a teacher, closing my eyes benefits my practice. Then my mind does not need to concern itself with what anyone else is doing or not doing. When I close my eyes it turns up my other senses. I hear and feel my breath. I feel sensations in my body. I notice my thoughts and get a chance to let them go. I can step into the flow. I can feel each posture rather than make each posture look a certain way. I get to explore a little deeper and simpler. I can move into a posture from the way my body feels rather than how it looks and really get to know my body.

 A story about keeping it simple...

Someone asked a Zen Master, "How do you practice Zen?"

The master said, "When you are hungry, eat; when you are tired, sleep."

"Isn't that what everyone does anyway?"

The master replied, "No, No. Most people entertains a thousand desires when they eat and scheme over a thousand plans when they sleep." 

While in yoga, simply yoga. Notice when you breathe. Notice when you move. Notice when your thoughts plan, reminisce, and create stories and come back to the moment. Clear out the clutter. Cleanse and simplify. See what happens. Perhaps try eyes closed once in a while and watch from inside. What starts on your mat can radiate out to your life. Enjoy :)

Core assets... purity, simplicity, clearing clutter.