Hammock time. The time you take to just be and to find calmness and stillness.
This can be rare in our society where things often occur at a frantic pace. Our sympathetic nervous system kicks into full force. The one that says "fight" or "flight" and sometimes "freeze" to us. The one that evolution put into place so our ancestors would survive. It is a cycle that often looks like a frantic urge to always be on the go followed by exhaustion, caffeine to get us riled up again, a resulting lack of sleep, more caffeine. There is so little value placed on calm, still, peaceful space. The space that lets the universe, what ever you or I name it, fill us with insight, health and joy. I am in no way immune to our go-go-go lifestyle. I have often prided myself on working harder, longer, under less and less healthy conditions. More extreme, less balance.
Today was my wake up call. A vivd and heart wrenching, beat skipping, wake up call. I was lucky enough to find myself on my yoga mat this afternoon. Eoin Finn, the blissologist who I did my teacher training with, was in town doing workshop. The deeply energizing and simultaneously calming practice opened areas that were tight, stilled my overstimulated mind and brought up a deep joy and playfulness that I hadn't felt in a while. Never once did it feel like work, every second was filled with an uncommon gratitude for strength and muscle memory that carried me through the physical postures while allowing my mind to focus on... nothing but that hot sweaty hilarious room.
Our practice ended with a long guided mediation followed by savasana. Not just any savasana though. It was one we had often enjoyed during our teacher training. Eoin calls it a puppy pile and the only guiding principle is that you are in physical contact with those around you. He spoke to the need in today's world for healthy physical touch. Hugs, partner yoga, the ability to heal one another. As I lay there on the floor with the weight of a good friend's head on my thigh I was so content, comforted even. People who I had never met lay hands on my arms, let me nestle up to their warm bodies. Over the next few minutes the breathing in the room was audibly more peaceful. I was sure for a few moments I could hear someone softly crying. A beautiful release in the safety of our warm little group. This peace, this contact was exactly what I needed. The reminder that finding this sattvic state would allow me to achieve so much more that stressing about exams, applications, and life in general.
I am deeply grateful for this afternoon, for the reawakening I so needed. For the friendship of amazing people in just the places, at just the time that creates what is necessary for me to be who I must be. Who I want to be.
This can be rare in our society where things often occur at a frantic pace. Our sympathetic nervous system kicks into full force. The one that says "fight" or "flight" and sometimes "freeze" to us. The one that evolution put into place so our ancestors would survive. It is a cycle that often looks like a frantic urge to always be on the go followed by exhaustion, caffeine to get us riled up again, a resulting lack of sleep, more caffeine. There is so little value placed on calm, still, peaceful space. The space that lets the universe, what ever you or I name it, fill us with insight, health and joy. I am in no way immune to our go-go-go lifestyle. I have often prided myself on working harder, longer, under less and less healthy conditions. More extreme, less balance.
Today was my wake up call. A vivd and heart wrenching, beat skipping, wake up call. I was lucky enough to find myself on my yoga mat this afternoon. Eoin Finn, the blissologist who I did my teacher training with, was in town doing workshop. The deeply energizing and simultaneously calming practice opened areas that were tight, stilled my overstimulated mind and brought up a deep joy and playfulness that I hadn't felt in a while. Never once did it feel like work, every second was filled with an uncommon gratitude for strength and muscle memory that carried me through the physical postures while allowing my mind to focus on... nothing but that hot sweaty hilarious room.
Our practice ended with a long guided mediation followed by savasana. Not just any savasana though. It was one we had often enjoyed during our teacher training. Eoin calls it a puppy pile and the only guiding principle is that you are in physical contact with those around you. He spoke to the need in today's world for healthy physical touch. Hugs, partner yoga, the ability to heal one another. As I lay there on the floor with the weight of a good friend's head on my thigh I was so content, comforted even. People who I had never met lay hands on my arms, let me nestle up to their warm bodies. Over the next few minutes the breathing in the room was audibly more peaceful. I was sure for a few moments I could hear someone softly crying. A beautiful release in the safety of our warm little group. This peace, this contact was exactly what I needed. The reminder that finding this sattvic state would allow me to achieve so much more that stressing about exams, applications, and life in general.
I am deeply grateful for this afternoon, for the reawakening I so needed. For the friendship of amazing people in just the places, at just the time that creates what is necessary for me to be who I must be. Who I want to be.
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