Every week I look to find a theme that I hope will inspire and resonate with my students. From one week to the next I often wonder where my inspiration will come from. I always ASK! Yoga is 5000 years old and all the teachings from yoga teacher to yoga teacher have been past down from one great yogi or guru to the next. I know for the greater good my answers will come if I ask and trust.
I struggle to call myself a teacher…. I prefer Yoga Sharer! In searching for my inspiration this week I found my theme.
Finding your inner voice. Your inner compass. Yoga according to Patanjali the great sage who wove together amazing short threads of wisdom in his brilliant efforts to simplify yoga said in Book 1 Verse 2:
“yoga chitta vritti nirodhah” – yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind stuff – control of the mind
In doing this we can attempt to quieten those mind monkeys, turn down mental distractions far enough to be able to hear our quietest yet most powerful voice of all – our inner voice, the voice of our soul, and discover the true direction of our internal compass. We need to work towards acknowledging that we all hold the answers within. Whether that be for inspiration for a theme in a yoga class or the answer to a life changing decision we may have to make off our mats.
I often talk to my kids about stopping and listening to what their little voice is saying and they never struggle to find it. Perhaps as adults somewhere along the line we lose touch with the voice or lose faith in ourselves?
As a teacher / yoga sharer I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having the privilege of sharing such an amazing philosophy with my yoginis. People are always searching, searching for answers to what ever decision, problem or direction they wish to pursue. People search outside themselves however in paradox the answers they seek are right their inside them being softly spoken all the while.
I truly hope my guidance in my classes has help my participants realize that with the practice of Yoga – Meditation, Pranayama and Asana to start, they will ultimately turn down that mental mind chatter and find the answers they are looking for.
Om Shanti
Namaste
