Destination: Stillness

A long-time student graciously reached out last week to thank me for something I wrote years ago that continues to support her:

Through body, breath, sound, symbol, and awareness itself, yoga offers us pathways to experience the stillness and equanimity of our inner being.

Like a swan on a hot summer’s day, we dip into the clear waters of our own consciousness and emerge renewed, restored, rejuvenated.

Is there anything more refreshing than taking a break from the chatter of your mind?

It can be easy to get caught up in the external aspects of postural practice and lose sight of yoga’s fundamental purpose: stilling the mind.

Traditionally, asana was intended to prepare the aspirant– physically, mentally, and energetically – to sit in meditation for longer periods of time. The aim was to steady the body and quiet the mind so that one could dive deeply inward and abide in the tranquility of the innermost self.

Whatever your motivation for yoga, how freeing to remember that postural practice isn’t ultimately meant to be about the posture.