BEGINNERS YOGA - WEEK 8 - SURRENDER

The intention for our practice today is one of surrender. Often we can be upset when life doesn’t go the way we planned or the way we expected and we can be so busy feeling cheated or victimised that we miss the opportunity life is offering us in this moment. When we release our need to control we can surrender in to the beauty of what is.  Surrender invites us to be active participants, totally present and fluid with each moment, while appreciating the magnitude and mystery of what we are participating in. Lets finish our beginners course doing just that, surrendering into the unknown.

Shavasana                                                                                                             

The yoga posture called shavasana or corpse pose which is taken at the end of a class is a practise of surrender. Lying on our backs with arms and legs outstretched signifying the death of the activity we just participated in. In sHavasana there is nothing for us to do, we are asked to lie back into stillness, releasing tension, letting go of effort, it is here that we learn the meaning of letting go of all the ways we physically and mentally fight with life.

SLEEP INDUCING BREATHWORK - 1

Breath count 1-10 10-1

Around a third of all adults suffer from some kind of insomnia or sleep difficulty. Whether its for aiding sleep, clearing the mind to prepare for sleep or decreasing anxiety or stress, breathing techniques are impressive in their efficiency. By introducing slow deep rhythmic breaths before bedtime we can tap into the body’s relaxation response, promoting feelings of calm. The heart rate is lowered and we release physical tension as the breath softens the body.

As we learn to stop fighting life, we can begin to act skilfully. Control makes us rigid and tight and narrows our perspective. Getting rid of our armour opens a world of possibility and makes us lighter and more comfortable with our journey. We can monitor our moment to moment surrender to life by watching the inner sensations of contraction and expansion. When we are in contraction we are fighting life or are fearful - when we are in expansion we are in the flow of surrender.

The intention for our practice today is to surrender.  To move from contraction to expansion to move from fear to courage. To let go of our rigidity and need to control, to find stillness, to soften, to float where ever life takes us trusting the process.

Words by Donna Faulds

Let go of the way you thought life would unfold the holding of plans, dreams and expectations. Let it all go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy that you long for. Let go, let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you receive it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders.

Take this on faith, you may never find the explanations that you seek but you will move forward nonetheless. Let go and let the waves crest carry you to unknown shores, beyond you wildest dreams or destinations. Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace and certain transformation.

Lets set an intention now to let go. Letting go of what it is that’s been holding you back, letting go of that which no longer serves you, put down that which you no longer wish to carry, let go of the burdens and through this act of letting go we create space to invite in new energy. Just as the seasons turn so do we let go your autumn leaves to create space for new growth.