This Moment To Be Free

I am coming to the end of a long few months. A wonderful, full and rich few months, and challenging.

And  here I am home in the middle of the day, resting and reflecting.

Clearly, I felt that I needed to preface my declaration that I am at rest with a caveat: yes, I am resting but…I have been working hard.

I could also have confided that I have been sick, and that I did things like shop for cat food and for lunch things for my husband. That I taught earlier, and commuted back and forth. That I tried to do some work on my new blog/website, but I need help with it so I let it go until later, but then I will work!

Rest, in our society is…suspect. It connotes laziness, which in a puritan society is close to criminal. You had better have a darn good reason and have earned it and have a plan to do some thing productive very soon.

But in yoga, rest is integral. In fact the word Hatha, as in Hatha Yoga means sun (ha) and moon (tha) and describes the two energies that make yoga — the union of mind with body, of Soul with self — happen. When we practice yoga we begin with centering and resting – coming into our bodies, getting in touch with our selves, and then move into energetic practice and then, rest again and breathe. Then practice some more, then rest. We find a balance. When teaching, we tell our students that rest is as important as action because it is during rest that we give our bodies the opportunity to integrate the benefits of the asanas (postures).

So I am resting. I am re-creating. It is beautiful outside my window — the winter sun setting and bare trees sillouetted against the purpley-grey sky. It is quiet and peaceful here in my room where I am writing. I am grateful for this afternoon of peace, this open-ended, quiet, spacious time. My heart expands to meet the openness and stillness.  I will continue to expand into rest.  I will be — with an open heart and with joy — at peace with resting. And, in deep gratitude for this moment of freedom, I say…let it be so.

Svaha, amen.