Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Finding the Sweet Spot

Sometimes I think I have it all down and then something happens to awaken and transform my way of thinking.  My yoga journey is a lot like that; I practice under a teacher and think,'WOW! Now this is grand!'  Some time later, under another teacher, 'WOW! What was grand before has now been debunked and I have new measure for grand!'  And the process continues.  In May, Andrea Russell came and gave many of us a 'WOW' moment with our shoulders; a place she calls the 'sweet spot'.  It was so inspiring to have my shoulders relaxed and soft while I awakened my heart and all while cultivating my yamas on my mat. 
  
As I left my mat I began to ponder the 'sweet spot' and how I have arrived there in my faith, in my life, in my teaching, and within my practice. Within this sweet spot of life I am also continually delving into self-excavational works so that the sweet spot finds itslef not only in my daily schedule, but becomes interwoven with the fabric of my soul.   I know that the time I spend here is sacred, that something will happen to try to pull me our of it, but it does not make my stay here, in this moment, any less sweet. So often we want to arrive at the sweet spot almost by invitation or gift, rather than understanding that it is a process to arrive, a discipline to embrace, and a transformation to look forward to rather than fight against.  How many times have you said to yourself: 'If  only this, then I would do that'....well, now is the time! 
  
I reflect on the road I have traveled to arrive here, a 40+ year road and I have to say there is not one thing I would change about it.  All the darkness offered me light.  All my valley gave me tenacity and perserverance. 
  
Sometimes in order to say 'YES' to opportunity, we need to say 'NO' to commitment.  What are the commitments that create tension, angst, and no longer serve you?  Just like the patterns we hold in our bodies during our yoga practice, the opportunity begins when we realize they exists.  Then the option for growth unfolds itself as we gently let go of the patterns that no longer serve us in order to taste the sweet spot.  Once we fully let go and enjoy the spot filled without tension, our lives emerge peaceful.  We move through our daily lives with ease, warmth, love and grace.
  
This summer is about transformation.  Become aware of your tensions and let them go!  Recommit to your yoga practice and the community that upholds your desire to arrive at the 'sweet spot'.  Your mat and fellow yogis await you.....are you living in the sweeteness?