Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

Welcome to Yogalicious 29. In the last issue, I wrote about preparing for the change of seasons. However, change doesn't only happen with the transition of seasons. Whether we see it or not, or like it or not, change is actually always the norm. It is the only constant. I happen to be changing at hyper-speed right now, as I am blessed with the journey of pregnancy. I finally 'Feel' what it means to be changing every moment as I've just entered my 7-month and each day has brought the daily unexpected, hurling me into the present like nothing before. However, regardless if you've experienced pregnancy, each one of us actually has an ever-changing body and an ever-changing life in an ever-changing world. This issue ponders the question, 'How can we remain present and open in the wake of change; in the face of the unknown.'

With great joy and lots of changes,
Jillian

"It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's the place in between that we fear…It's like being between trapezes. Its' Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to."— Marilyn Ferguson

I think it's a lot easier to loose the habitual-ness in our practice when we under go major bodily changes like pregnancy, injury, illness, or simply aging. These states naturally require us to be more mindful. I've never 'had' to listen as deeply as I am learning to listen now. But, while I enjoy this heightened state of awareness, I wonder why I am much more apt to be so sensitive and receptive now that I have another Being inside of me? Was my life not as precious before? Just what does it take for us to become fully present? How can we learn to practice this deeply, even when things are seemingly status quo? What's going to get us to be compassionate and curious enough to really listen inward with out imposing our expectations or 'shoulds' on ourselves or others? I've been playing with these questions in my classes. To create your own experiment, try the exercises below of Staying Open All Day, Staying Open In Asana and the Breathing Mantra Mediation.   back to top

We often get stuck in our idea of what an asana should LOOK like or even FEEL like. Many of us are used to practicing with the goal of trying to control our breath and body, like a sailor who sits in a rowboat and thinks that he is moving the ocean beneath with his paddle. Instead, think of the way a good sailor learns to understand the tide and navigate using the energy of the water rather than control it. When we approach our asana this way, we learn to practice not to gain "control" over our breath or body but to enter into deeper levels of awareness and participation with it. One way I've been playing with this, is with the vinyasa flow of Cat Cow pose with the emphasis be on loosing the "knowning-ness" of how long or deep a breath might be. Instead, listen openly to how the breath actually is. Study each breath. Wait for the inhale to guide you into to cow, arching you back, opening your heart and gazing up. Allow each exhale to lead you into cat, rounding your back to the sky. Take your time. If you happen to find a pause at the top or bottom of a breath, allow the stillness of the pause to guide you deeper into the shape you are making at that time. Feel more in that moment; it's not just a "stopping point". Receptively move your body on the waves of your breath, the way a wise sailor flows with the tide.    back to top