I was reading a book about a therapist who meets regularly with another therapist. You would think that someone who is a therapist would know how to feel and communicate but that isn't the case. Which is why we all need our own support groups and therapy.
The therapist in the book was having her meeting with her therapist and was asked a question. Instead of feeling the answer she was searching for the right response. "You know your feelings don't have to mesh with the way you thought they should be". Yet we often do just what this therapist did; which is take a feeling and analyze it to fit what we wanted it to be.
The word yoga is often translated into union or connected. However this line from the book got me thinking and applying what I know from science evidence. Often times in healing practices, such as therapy, the treatment is applied from the brain to the body. What is called a top down approach. However the way we actually experience things is from the body to the brain; a bottom up approach. The body sends signals and the brain is trying to make sense of it. Yoga is one of the few practices that allows us to follow this approach to observe therapeutically. Right there is where I often apply awareness during practice so I can observe how the brain is creating a story or response to the body's signals or clues. If I can improve awareness of this more often I may stop over-riding the original message.
Ever play the game telephone? One person whispers a message to the person next to them and it goes around the circle. It never comes back with the same message. Because the brain mixes up the message. I used to think Union or Yoga meant to connect, as in agree or equal, but I actually think it means that we listen to the original message better. We stop blocking the original message and that brings about healing and well-being.
Of course not all yoga is taught this way but if applied with awareness you may find that it helps you observe what you are doing out of habit and if you changed that response, new signals from the brain will start to form. This will then transmit to the body; reducing things like anxiety, stress and depression. This approach has a longer lasting affect and may be something you consider. You don't have to be injured or dealing with a serious illness to receive therapy. Sometimes talk groups help and other times yoga therapy may help you as well. Some enjoy therapy from art and walking in nature. Sometimes you can't do it alone and you can ask for help.
If you are nervous about coming to yoga start there. Say that out-loud. Fear is one of the hardest responses to change. Take a breath and figure out an approach that would ease you into the change. Maybe come online with me to a group class. Stay off video and come for a few minutes. Ask a friend to join with you online. Or schedule a private yoga or yoga therapy.
This weekend I am away at school but this completes the trimester for me so I am not back to school until May. Ever wonder if there is or isn't a class then go to the webpage and scroll to the calendar. It is listed there. I've had some save past emails for zoom links but they didn't realize they were clicking on the wrong link. Ever have that happen then go to the calendar. Re-register you email to get the link for that class; only take a few seconds. Also I will be adding some pop up classes of yoga and meditation so speak up if you have a day and time request. Your voice matters.
In the meantime I hope to see you and if you don't make this week maybe sometime soon. "Have a good day for no reason!"
---Paige