As we start the new year and our exploration of the 8 limbs, I am struck by the difference of where I am personally this January as compared to last year. Last year I was still operating as the Chief Lending Officer of a $7 Billion Bank, enjoying my yoga practice and business, doing philanthropic work while juggling a few other balls both personally and professionally. Phew, sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Today I feel that I am busier than ever and am not sure how I had time to work at that banking gig!
As a person who was always extremely driven toward what I perceived as career success, I probably took on more than I should have to allow for a healthy work life balance. Frankly, that phrase was not even a thing when I started my career. I remember telling my old boss (and friend), “I am so freaking anxious to get to work in the morning, I don’t even stop to put on body lotion!” That sounds funny now, but I would be practically hyperventilating to get out the door to get to work in the morning. This is the same boss that I sobbed to when I got caught up in a project and missed my older son Sam’s preschool graduation. In both instances, this boss, who had a reputation of being demanding and tough, talked me off the ledge and reminded me that family and relationships were paramount. He was ahead of his time for sure and I am eternally grateful to him. While I was not good at practicing my yoga off the mat in those earlier years, I do attribute my improvement on that effort to my growth as a yogi. Similarly, as I advanced and had more people working for me, I tried to impart that formula to them supporting the importance of finding healthy balance and promoting self-care. As we know, we cannot be strong for those around us if we are not healthy, strong and happy ourselves.
So, keep the sneakers in the car in case you can find 15 minutes for a peaceful walk; keep a yoga mat (tennis/pickleball racket, library card, Spotify relaxing play list) handy if another opportunity to move, relax, nurture presents itself. We may not have time for hours of activities but finding some time for oneself outside of work and/or other commitments is so important. Bite off those nuggets of self-care in small amounts, they are easier to find and swallow.
To wrap up this circuitous trains of thought, as we begin to revisit the eight limbs of yoga, let’s lean into our practice to help us live our best lives both on and off the mat.
Exploring The First Limb, The Yamas
For an introduction to the eight limbs and what they are, here is a link to last week’s blog:
The article below from Chopra.com is one I often refer to as a good reference to the eight limbs.
The First Limb, the Yamas are rules of moral code (there are 5). The first Yama is ahimsa, nonviolence or non-harming.
I have been thinking about ahimsa in terms of violence and war - not only between nations but between groups of people and the general population. While I do not think most people openly condone violence, we cannot deny that things like attacks on civilians and school shootings almost feel part of daily life. Society is clearly becoming more anesthetized to violence both verbal and physical and there is a greater acceptance of hateful of cruel behavior toward people from other walks of life, culture or orientation, often under the pretense of free speech. Using words whether it be careless comments or intentional meanness is also violence. Whether we are considering societal trends trends or our own occasional thoughtlessness with our words, giving this concept of ahimsa some meaningful contemplation will be a timely and integral part of our living our yoga off the mat.
Whether we think about ahimsa literally or figuratively, for it to be bad the harm must be intentional, not accidental. Walking outdoors or gardening and killing small insects is not intentional violence. Ahimsa is avoiding intentional harm. With words and actions.
Below are some articles that explore the topic further, both are from artofliving.org.
Our Practice - Supported Bridge
Supported bridge is a nurturing pose which we think of when we contemplate “no harm”.
The pose in an inversion with our head being below the heart. This action suppresses fight or flight response and promotes the parasympathetic nervous system. Basically, it helps us relax. The back benefits from the extension aiding to improve posture. It feels great when we experience lower back issues.
To come into this restorative pose, lie on your mat with a block nearby.
Lie on your back soles of the feet on the floor and knees bent, feet hips width apart. Arms are alongside your body with fingers toward your feet. Feet are parallel.
Lift your hips off the floor pressing down in your feet and place a under your back, directly under sacrum. This should feel very comfortable, play around with the block on the short side or middle side to determine what feels most comfortable for you. Stay for several minutes if possible as your body settles into the passive backbend.
To come out of the pose, push down through your feet, lift your hips, and remove the block.
Meditation – Ahimsa – Non Violence
According to Desikachar, ahimsa means “kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration of other people and things”.
“Nonviolence is the greatest and most active force in the world. One cannot be passively nonviolent. One person who can express ahimsa in life exercises a force superior to all the forces of brutality” - Mahatma Gandhi
Nurturing with Food – Veggie Stir Fry With Tofu
Not a new recipe but one of Peter’s that is easy to make and probably fits well with many of our resolutions to eat more vegetables in the new year. This is a medley of Asian vegetables, primarily bok choy and bean sprouts. It can be made, however, with whatever vegetables are in the crisper when you decide to make it! I have been thinking a lot about stir fry as our upcoming trip to Thailand approaches. I hope that we (Pete) comes back inspired with new recipes to cook for me and share with you!
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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