Yoga Girl Mary » tightness http://yogagirlmary.com a suburban yogini, mother, wife, friend, daughter, human... Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:59:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Svadhyaya and the conversation of breath. http://yogagirlmary.com/stuff-to-ponder/svadhyaya-and-the-conversation-of-breath http://yogagirlmary.com/stuff-to-ponder/svadhyaya-and-the-conversation-of-breath#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:01:58 +0000 mary http://yogagirlmary.com/?p=204 Continue reading → Related posts:
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]]> flyawayballoonsballoonshappyheartartdirectionphotography-2548c1d39309e5cb37bb12f2e007ef54_hI’ve been going through a major observation of self over the past few months as I prepare for my 40th birthday. This svadhyaya, or self-study, has revealed a recurring presence of tightness. In my upper back…in my thinking…in my chest. In my patience.

My practice has changed without my permission. I’m very frustrated by this.

There was a time, in my former career as a counselor, when I was an excellent listener. There was thoughtfulness and grace and acceptance in that. But if we only listen, where is the dialogue? In the dialogue, we find change and truth. In the conversation, we find our breath. In the exchange, we find pause.

  • Have you been through a time in your life of just talking or just listening?
  • What happens when you exchange between the two?
  • When you listen, is your mind still talking or is it present in the moment?
  • What happens in the pause between breaths?

Maybe my practice has wanted to shift. Maybe, just maybe, my practice is really what happens at the top of my inhale and the bottom of my exhale. Maybe it’s time to have a little chat…and be okay with letting go.

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Related posts:

  1. Rockstars know that life is beautiful.
  2. It’s About Time.
  3. Powerful Panties, Part Deux.

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