Each time at the start of a yoga practice, the instructor asks that we set an intention for that day; “What is it you would like to focus on today to get the most out of your time here?” I usually struggle to find my intention and get caught up in trying to find the right answer. I pressure myself into thinking there is a really cool and purposeful thing I should be focusing on, and if I don’t come up with it, I am missing out on some great ancient yoga secret.
Sometimes I try to set grandiose intentions – freedom from all pain, anxiety, and conflict in my life, from here until eternity. Sure, that can happen in an hour. Usually, I am still staring at the blank slate of my mind when the instructor has moved on, so I just skip setting my intention. But then I am left feeling like I missed out on an opportunity.
Today the opportunity came up again; “What is your intention?” And out of nowhere it came to me – Just let go. That was it. That simple. My intention was to let go. No more focusing on what I thought should be happening or what I might be missing out on, just be in the moment and experience it. And experience it I did. It was my best practice by far. My focus was completely on my body, the movement, and what I was experiencing. I found myself more stable and comfortable in poses that are normally problematic for me. My balance was greater. My range of motion was better. My focus was clearer. I found a wonderful balance between effort and ease. It really was a joyful practice.
At the end of each session we get into my favorite pose – savasana. That is the time where it all comes together for me. I can feel how my muscles have loosened and elongated. I can feel how the tension has left my neck and upper back. It is a time of complete joy and peace for me – my favorite part of every practice. Today I felt especially connected to everything; to the mat beneath me, to the music swirling through my body, to my breath as it expanded my abdomen and sustained me from the inside. If I didn’t discover that ancient yoga secret today, then there isn’t one.
And how simple really, I just let go and let myself be in the moment instead of in my head. Now really, isn’t this a concept we can apply to every aspect of our lives. How much less stressful would life be if we could learn to let go of what we believe is expected of us, and just be who we are in every given moment? I am probably the least flexible person in most of my yoga classes, but each stretch benefits me just as much as it does my 60 year-old neighbor who can reach her toes with ease. I need to remember that.
Today was a great experience of just letting go, but it took me many yoga practices to get there. It is something I am going to have to continue practicing too. Practice letting go. Practice being in the moment. Practice acceptance of where you are, and then you can work on reaching where you want to be. I want to touch my toes with ease one day, but it will never happen if I don’t practice.
How beautifully put! So often I get caught up in trying to deal with everything, the pain, the deadlines, the things I didn’t get done and that just makes me worse. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me that sometimes I just have to let go of the things that are out of my control.
I enjoyed reading your post, and I suppose it’s not surprising that we share the same favorite asana. 😉
Thanks for this post. Letting go is very difficult. But, it is a lesson we all have to learn. Focusing on what we need to do to feel better is important.
Intention & expectation are closely related. As I recently shared at Jeanne’s ChronicHealing.com, a lack of expectation is crucial in our everyday lives as — ill or not — goals can actually undo progress if the focus becomes the end rather than the means. Many fear simple or small goals limit achievement but it’s quite the opposite. Setting more achievable goals frees us up & spurs us on to the next goal & each one thereafter which are now more achievable yet. Through purity of focus, not to mention not setting ourselves up to fail, we’re able to do what’s needed because we’re not trying to do too much.
The real & wonderful irony, of course, being that it’s the simple goals — the baby steps — that lead to huge accomplishments. As you saw on my ’30 Things’ post, Dannette, letting go has become a favorite pastime. 😉 My fascination developed in order to stay somewhat sane (by not dwelling on what I didn’t, couldn’t or shouldn’t do). Thanx so much for your comment, btw, & especially your reassurance that something in my life is healthy. 😮
Another related concept I’m in love with is simplicity. I often reference the KISS principle, usually translated as “Keep it simple, stupid.” I’ve always said, “Keep it simple, silly, ” but realized — as of tweeting this post — that what’s really crucial is that we “keep it simple, spoonies!”
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The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~Hans Hofmann
The use of the word “practice” is very purposeful in yoga. Yoga is not mastered, it is practiced. We may never master letting go either, but by practicing it regularly we will get better and better at it, and we will also be more accepting of the times we forget to let go.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Jazz.