29 Nov The Triple Threat!
The Triple Threat – Shraddha, Shtiram & Sukham (Trust in Balance)
I am very often reminded of why I first began this practice of yoga so many years ago. Looking back I can remember of wanting to build resilience and strength as well as finding peace with the softer and more gentle aspects of myself. I am reminded of that first time I experienced Savasana in Richards class – Richard will never realise the power of that moment – it changed my world. I trusted and dropped deep into a moment of both power and gentleness, my heart wide open, tears silently rolling out of my closed eyelids.
Very often we are applauded in life for shows of strength, acquisition and power, and are labelled weak when we show up as vulnerable, gentle or quiet.
But is that true?
I can definitely see why over the years my ‘go to’ has been to appear strong above all else, even when I have been crumbling inside, appearing that everything was OK was paramount. But truth be told, each of us is a part of this perfect ‘whole’ and we are indeed, each of us without exception, a unique reflection of the mighty macrocosm. We may show up in certain way – to have embodied specific traits or characteristics but we each also embody all other traits and characteristics, even if they are hidden from view. Our yoga practice can help us to openly receive our whole self, as we are, a perfect blend of yin and yang, strength and softness, light and dark.
How do we access that?
How do we balance strength and vulnerability in a world where productivity, appearance and power are rewarded and softness is often interpreted as weak? How do we learn the value of showing up when we are down, when we feel betrayed and when we feel vulnerable?
We can learn the power of trust. Yes trust – someone – ourselves – the universe – feelings – intuitions – external guidances. All are guideposts, all are helpful in bringing us home to ourselves.
We can learn to trust the divine dance. ‘Shraddha’ has long been one of my favourite Sanskrit words, I love the way it rolls out of my mouth – the sound, the feel of it in my body, the meaning, the vibration. Shraddha is a concept aligned with the word faith and although it doesn’t have a direct English translation, it describes a type of positive energy that comes from deep within a person, and it shapes their world and the way they view life.
And so we begin to blend trust with two other very important practical and helpful aspects of yogic philosophy.
During a yoga class you may have heard the terms Shtiram and Sukham or Shtira and Sukha. Shtira is interpreted as strength or effort. Sukha as ease or, sometimes defined as ‘good space’. There is an interplay between these two in each and every posture of our practice We get to explore and play on our mat in order to find a beautiful balance in our practice – a practice that is not depleting, not overly strong but not overly gentle either – it is a place where we are calmly energised.
And so we listen. Listening is another important part of our yoga practice. Are we pushing ourselves too strongly? Could we cultivate a softening? Where can we relax a little? Our practice on our mat can show us how we are living out in the world and cultivating balance in life might look really different on different days.
There is a reason why hear and heart are only one letter different.
Thankfully we humans are beginning to shift – seeing and feeling the benefits of softening, of allowing what is, rather that pretending what is not. And as we dance and play in a balanced and trusting way on our mat we can begin to export that dancing and playing out into our life, a life of balance and trust.
Practice:
Take a moment, right now to pause, sitting or standing. Soften your eyes as you read. Feel into this embodiment practice. It is in you already.
Lengthen your spine. Feel your back body as strong, powerful and protective. Know that you have got your own back. Breath into the power of this and let it be channelled in your energetic field. Now transfer your attention to the front of your body, the front field and sense vulnerability and softness in your belly and chest. Breath into your front and all of your vulnerabilities, seen and unseen.
Let your attention swing between back and front, yang and yin, sense your breath as its creates a perfect easy rhythm of balance. In this moment let go of your intellect. Allow felt sensation to be, letting it all in, letting it all be as it is. Trust that all you need is in this moment. Trust your seat, the space you are in, trust your surroundings, trust yourself, your people, this world. Trust this one breathing moment with your whole being.
When you are ready deepen your breath and take a moment to gaze in wonder at the nature of balance within you, around you and before you.
Go well. Go easy. Go in lovingkindness.
Namaste
Amanda