Yoga is both engaging and challenging for me. It is physical but not gymnastical. It is inward discovering, not outward expressive. By drawing your consciousness to your body, you are made to see the invisible. You are constantly aware of the tightness of the body parts, the sensation of the blood rushing to the head, the volume of the air in your torso and the supporting strength of your limbs. As you breathe in and out deeply like an accordion, your body interacts with space with vitality and determination. You are always searching for the balance point(s) by adjusting positions of your bones, muscles or breathe. It is like playing with a camera lens until you get the clearest picture. You concentrate in what you have at that moment, and basically that is your body, the energy you have and the limitation you struggle to deal with. But, you refuse to allow the limitation to defeat you. Taking it gently like approaching a child, holding her hands first, offering kindness and smiles, you eventually will embrace her totally.
As a beginner, you may be confused by the instruction and requirement for certain positions. “Stretch you right leg firmly to the front, and push your left leg to the back”. “How in the world am I supposed to do that?” you wonder. As you do following the instruction, you are surprised to realize that there is a point from which energy flows to opposite directions. Once you are able to locate the core, you are able to feel the firmness, the strength, the unshakeable center of your being. And there is nothing absurd about the contradiction. There are so many conflicted elements in life. The farthermost point is the starting point in a circle, the closest person may be someone lives on the other end of the world, the darkest shadow has the brightest substance. Life is full of conflicts and absurdity, but there is no harm. As long as you are able to hold on to the very core of your being, you are not to be disturbed and affected.
Another gratifying experience in this strenuous journey of exploration is that you are accompanied by a knowledgeable teacher who generously provides support and encouragement. ”Trust yourself, you can do it. You are stronger than you think”. The voice goes through the ears, travels to the mind, reaches your heart, and melts down into the center of energy. Soon, you hear a voice inside echo firmly “ yes, I can do it”- and that is the beauty of life. |
