Much in the Hatha yoga world is static – it’s about emphasizing postures, and we’re often instructed to ‘hold’ them, ‘keep doing’, and ‘stay’ fixed and statue-like. It’s impossible to do everything right, to keep anything perfect, and the attempt creates tension and discouragement. Instead, let’s practise stillness, changing position, and movement, all with the attitude of warm, compassionate ease and awareness, noting and studying changes and always grateful for them. It’s only with a soft, enquiring, open-minded approach to our bodies and thoughts that we experience the natural unfolding of the phenomenal world with surprise, learn something new, and remember what’s important.
Catch is a lovely, stimulating word. Catch sight of, catch a sense, catch me up, catch a star, catch a break, catch fire, catch a glimpse, catch a glimmer, catch a straw, catch the sound. Choose a familiar exercise or series and think of these turns of phrase, and others, to stimulate fullness, deep enjoyment, release and purpose. While rolling, might you discern, descry, detect? Does stretching help you spot, perceive, or recognize? When sitting, do you ever peer, peep, or peek? And If so, what did you discover? Applying less familiar, underused language to the basic principles of breathing, grounding and elongating is enlightening and engaging. A new experience is guaranteed!
Awareness is fleeting. We have some insight, and then it’s gone. We focus intently, and then we can’t. We feel movement rolling through the whole body, and the next minute, we feel stiff again and disconnected. We are transported beyond our concerns and sadness, and then we’re back, full force. This seems to be an encapsulation of adult life. The main point is that moments of inspiration, love, presence, and awe are possible, they do repeat, supported and encouraged by our willingness to relax and allow the ground to support us, our breath to expand, and our minds to ponder, wander, remember, and awaken amazed.