Live by Feeling, part II

Yoga is the perfect tool for introducing us to “feeling”.  Yoga is not a thinking practice; it’s about feeling what’s going on in your body while you’re on your mat.

Yoga is formless –meaning the yogic experience comes from feeling whatever presents itself in the moment.  Feelings of ease, joy, peace, tension, stiffness, awkwardness, etc. often appear on the mat.  As you move and breathe in your yoga practice (be it asana, meditation or pranayama), your physical body becomes a vehicle to connect with yourself on a level much greater than ever before.

Simply, yoga provides a a way for you to wake up to your body just as it is, feeling it as it is in the moment.  If you want to cry in ½ pigeon, cry.  If you want to smile in Warrior I, smile.  Whether you’re on your yoga mat or not, start to trust what you feel and live from there.

Live by Feeling

What do you mean “what are you feeling?”  I introduced this question at the beginning, and repeated it at the end, of one of my corporate yoga classes recently.  A student approached me afterward wanting an explanation.  Suddenly, I realized “feeling” is a foreign concept for many humans given so many of us are “stuck” in our heads and not use to moving and acting from our hearts –our feeling center.

The right answer to how you’re feeling has to come from you, no one else.  Feelings depend on the moment you’re in now.  Feelings depend on what’s going on in your life – at work, with your family & friends, on your yoga mat, etc.  Feelings can be physical, mental and/or emotional.  And it’s normal for them to vary day-to-day, moment-to-moment.

Most of us rarely acknowledge how we are feeling.  If anything, we often put the feelings of others before ours.  The first step to feeling your feelings is becoming aware of simply “how are you feeling right now?”  The answer can be as simple as one word such as happy, grateful, beautiful, frustrated, angry, fearful, etc.  If answering this question is challenging, get on your yoga mat.  If you’re lost, read my next post (Live by Feeling, part II).

Use Your Senses

Often we forget to take advantage of the ability to fully see, hear, smell, taste and touch.  The five senses are truly gifts to be used and appreciated every moment, every day.

When you begin to connect with everything on a more sensory level, you’ll receive more out of life’s simple and extraordinary pleasures.  You’ll also be fully in the present experience as oppose to looking for what’s next.

For instance, during your next in-person conversation with a friend, look at them rather than beyond.  While eating your next meal, chew your food slowly and savor the flavor and smell.  Take a long walk outside and with each step feel your feet touch down with each step and open your ears to hear nature speak.  While washing the dishes, feel your hands supporting the effort.  Next time you’re on your yoga mat, explore how your senses support your practice.

By simply using what you have, you’ll wake up to the beauty that surrounds you.  That beauty is your life, which can only be fully experienced through the senses.

In with the New, Out with the Old

With the plethora of yoga mats to select from these days –styles, colors, thicknesses, eco-friendly materials, etc. – it’s tempting to buy a new one every couple of years.  And many do, even when they don’t really NEED a new one.

A few times I’ve been asked by students “what can I do with my old mat?”  Usually I suggest donating it to a school or church that offers community yoga classes.    Though I’ve always felt this answer is a little vague since it doesn’t really point someone in a specific direction.  Needless to say, I was happy to recently stumble upon Gaiam’s article “50 Ways to Reuse Your Yoga Mat”.

I will admit a few of the suggestions are extremely creative, but I guarantee at least one of them will appeal to you.  Now you might feel good about buying a new mat even if you don’t really NEED it ☺