Weekly Yoga Focus (7/2 – 7/8/2012): Freedom

“Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self control. Energy within and energy without.” ~~ Ymber Delecto

(I got this pic from here)

This is the week where we will celebrate independence and freedom here in the United States. Celebrating these things means so many things to so many people. For me, it’s always a reminder that I am so very fortunate in my life, especially when I think about the people around the world who don’t have the same privileges and opportunities that we have here in the United States.

When it comes to freedom, what does it mean to you? In what areas of your life do you feel truly free? And are there areas where you feel “stuck”? I know that personally, I feel stuck in quite a few areas. I feel that if I had taken more time in my younger years to really think about what I wanted to do with my life, my path would have taken a much different route. I have a strong tendency to make impulsive decisions…I wanted everything decided right away so I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore. Sometimes, it ended up being a good decision, but I have to be honest…there are SO many decisions I’ve made that I ended up regretting, and many of them were decisions that could not be undone.

However, when I think about the bad decisions I’ve made, I don’t get upset about them anymore. I am who I am BECAUSE of the decisions I’ve made. And I actually like the person I’ve become. So right or wrong, my decisions are what they are. When I make a bad one, I have the freedom to do something about it. Sometimes, I can make a change. But sometimes, it’s a matter of accepting the decision as-is and dealing with the outcome, no matter what, and using it as a learning experience.

In yoga, sometimes we can get stuck as well. Many of us practice the same style of yoga over and over, developing a set routine that provides little variation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You have the freedom to make your yoga practice whatever you want it to be. For me, I frequently use my Sun Salutations as a way to switch things up. Sometimes I’ll practice with jump backs and jump ups, sometimes I’ll take those out and use lunges instead (especially if I feel like my hip flexors are needing a good stretch), and I’m always throwing various strength and balance postures in the middle.

You have that same freedom. Play with your practice a little bit…maybe even a lot. Try switching things up in some way. Maybe you try a new style of yoga, or try going to a class taught by a teacher you’ve never taken from before. If you have an established home practice, try practicing in a new location…this may be a good week for that, especially if you’re traveling for the holidays. I remember one vacation where I did a short yoga practice on the beach…wow! What an amazing experience!

Have fun this week playing around with yoga. Maybe you can even make up your own yoga pose…you have the freedom to do that…it’s YOUR practice.

Namaste,

Melanie