Pause

In yoga and meditation, we learn various techniques and tools  to help calm the body and the mind, to re-balance, to find ease and to find 'a pause'.


Patanjali's Yoga Sutras chapter 1 verses 2&3 (Barrie Risman translation) say:

Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind

When that is accomplished, the seer abides in his own true nature

We learn how to bring our wandering mind to this calmer place in numerous ways. Some of these are - concentrating on how we hold our body in a yoga pose; bringing our attention to our breath (whether in a yoga pose, during meditation or relaxation);  learning a deeper awareness of our body and mind, it's habits, patterns and nuances so that we can recognise imbalance, stress or tensions more easily; practising non-attachment - letting our body, mind and the world around be, as it is,  and welcoming that whether positive or challenging. We learn not to push the challenges away, 'what you resist, persists'.


This calmer place is a sort of 'pause' in our day to day activity. One where we can take a step back, find or shift perspective and respond rather than react. This helps us to let go of resistance and fears. It helps us to be with a situation with more acceptance which is the first step to freeing ourselves of the stress and anxiety our resistance perpetuates.

These last few weeks have in many ways been 'a pause' for all of us. Whether our daily lives and activities have changed a little, a lot, or perhaps not at all. We have all been given an opportunity to stop and reflect. This in itself is a practice of yoga. 

Our minds may still be in overdrive, our anxieties may still be high. But we have all become more used to our situation.  On the whole we have pulled together, shown great courage and even accepted this 'pause' in our lives in one way or another as a global collective of human beings.   


In yoga and meditation we learn to come back to this 'pause', this place of quieter calm and acceptance over and over as a continuous practice. We can use it to become more connected to our inner resources, steady and re-balance ourselves over and over again as we navigate the ups and downs of daily life.


We are now shifting through the next phase of our global 'pause'. This new phase will bring a whole new raft of tensions, choices, anxieties and challenges. It will also bring opportunities. I hope, as in yoga and meditation practice, we will be able to re-connect to our kindness, inner resources and our courage and capacity to navigate change again...and again... and again.  That is the practice of yoga and meditation - and life.


So take the opportunity to pause for a moment when challenge kicks in. Gain knowledge and information, find perspective and make choices from a place of response rather than reaction.


Take a moment to pause in those moments of joy, kindness and happiness. Let them feed your soul.


Take a moment to pause and know that when the mind and body has a moment of rest it can make a huge difference to how you feel and how you respond.

Stay well, stay courageous and remember to take a pause, it can change everything for the better.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week - I am adding more free resources to my website each day - things to listen to, things to read, things to watch and all practises to use - please feel free to share widely. See the various pages under the Resources tab of my website.