The breath of life. This is what it comes down to. In this most challenging, sad, and lonely year of the Covid-19 pandemic there are many lessons to learn: lessons of love, gratitude, resilience, generosity, compassion. We have all faced disappointments and felt times of disorientation and disconnection. What has sustained you, at the very heart of it all? The breath.
Today as I look out upon a clear and frosty morning on the Eve of Christmas Eve, I am in a contemplative mood. I'm thinking of the pranayama class Karen posted on the Yoga Circle website in the Video Library. It is a 20 minute invitation to just breathe. When all else is lost, we have the breath. The coming home to our bodies alive to the moment, whatever that moment may hold. The breath can excite, calm, balance. We need only be aware of its inhale and exhale and how to regulate it for maximum effect.
The entire purpose of yoga is to calm the fluctuations of the mind. You don't have to buy expensive yoga pants, a boxful of props, a dozen books, or do pretzel poses to be "doing" yoga. Yoga is a practice of stilling the mind. The books, poses, props, and comfortable clothing help our bodies stay strong and flexible so we are not distracted by pain or discomfort when we sit in the silence of the moment, focused only on our breath, only on the calm inner presence of the seat of the soul. The breath will take you there.
This may be a disappointing Christmas, a lonely Christmas, or just the Christmas you want it to be. Whatever your experience of this most unusual holiday season, my wish of you, for all of us, is health, peace, breath.
Namaste, donnajurene
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