Bringing Light Into Our Wounded Places & Svadhyaya

Through yoga practice we find peace. This does not mean we ignore what is happening, and just hang out in that “happy place”!

It means we face life head-on!  We look at the hard stuff inside of us and outside in the world. That inner peace, is a reserve, so no matter what is going on outside,  you are coming from a place of peace, rather than fear, anger, hatred, greed or pride.

As yogis we discover another reality beyond hype and fear.   We chose compassion over and over.  We show up to create another reality beyond the divisiveness of racism, sexism, classism,  anti semitism. We look outside our individual socio-economic, racial, political, cultural bubbles to understand those we disagree with and those who we have been conditioned to see as “other”.  We have the courage to build bridges daily.

We continue to reflect and improve ourselves and how we interact in the world.  Svadhyaya – Self study,  Sva means “self’ adhyaya means “inquiry” or “examination” This is the 4th Niyama(Niyamas are one of 8 limbs of yoga) .

We heal our emotional wounds.  Often, especially in times of turmoil, we forget to go to the stillness and listen, to feel, to let our broken hearts weep, to grieve our losses.  Personally sometimes…. I felt so domesticated, so numb, so stoic, so inexpressive, yet, now  I am learning to tap into those wounded places and give them voice.  I have been finding where the old wounds live in my body and discovering ways to move/ wash/ breath  them out.  Doing this work is not pretty, calm or subtle, it is powerful, and can be fierce and messy, but it does not mean your hysterical or insane, you are just alive!

Here are some article links which I have chosen for you, who want to delve further, ( this is also recommended reading for those of you attending the Women’s Healing Yoga Journey on February 18th).

http://yogadork.com/rage-fear-sadness-fatigue-the-yoga-of-darkness

simple help for meditation-

yogainternational.com/transcending-trauma-how-yoga-heals

And finally, some  poetic  lyrics of Lenard Cohen’s  “Anthem” which comfort me in these times.(2017 in the USA)

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.

Ah the wars they will
be fought again…
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
a thundercloud
and they’re going to hear from me.

Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in….

Namaste, Christina