pose and repose...

Photo Credit: Jo Marie

“Yoga is shared, not taught” another immortal line from my teacher Matthew Sanford. It is true, there is something alive that happens in the room when we practice together, something in the dynamic, something that is very much missing in these strange times of separation....Something I miss.

For this week’s “class” I have selected the Iyengar style Menstrual Sequence (download the file below). In Indian tradition, much more so than here, menstruation is seen as a time of rest, a time to cease strenuous activity and look inwards. Whether or not actual physical menstruation is something that applies to you the concept of allowing some time each month to slow, to take stock is a wise one. So this sequence is for everyone.

We are in so much change at the moment in terms of workload, whether you are out there carrying out frontline duties with the physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that can bring; or your work has stopped completely for the foreseeable and the different pressures that brings. We are homeschooling, looking after our vulnerable, we may be carrying our anxiety, physical and mental health challenges and that of those we care about - life has changed - whilst it may look busier on the outside or it may look quieter on the outside - whichever is true for you we can all still benefit from consciously taking one week teach month to be slower, quieter, more introspective - a retreat. If you do not physically menstruate any more, or never have I would recommend timing that week instead with the onset of the full moon.

So in order to slow we need to give ourselves time - to allow enough time for a gentle falling away of the speed and momentum we have been conditioned to live with. Imagine a snow globe, it has been shaken and the snow is whirling, we need to set it down, let it rest and allow the time necessary for everything to settle. That is how I want you to approach these poses. There may be some that are out of reach, maybe through lack of props, maybe because you feel unsure about them right now that is fine do only what you are comfortable with and never compromise conditions of safety. Look at each pose and see if you can feel out why it is included in this sequence, what does it bring that can help with the sensations of quiet and ease? If props are shown remember to look at what the prop is giving, then build your support accordingly to support your pose in that way. Do not force your pose to reach the prop set up shown, give yourself permission to build yours up higher, wider, differently if it is needed - to meet you where you are today. 

• Remember in your body all the things you have learned already about Yoga and apply them. 
• Consider the concept of stability and ease - where do you need to bring stability to facilitate ease? Remember it is not forceful but it is not a flop either, if you are flopping I guarantee you will be creating tension somewhere you don’t want it, as if you are forcing there will be inaction or collapse somewhere unhelpful. 

Then stay, give yourself time to be in the pose - don’t be eagerly thinking about what is next, settle, see what arises, what can you feel. Let there be a time when you stop trying to ‘achieve’ the pose and instead let the pose change you.

Then I want us to start building the dynamic of class again, our container is bigger, we are not in physical space but we can transcend the studio walls. Bring me your questions as they arise, whether from this practice or any other that we have done. Either leave them below or if you want to remain anonymous email them to me and I will do my best to answer them as we move forward.

N.B Where Matsyasana is shown, please feel free to do the pose with simple cross legs instead if you need.

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