THE GIFT OF YOGA
by Jessica Addeo
by Jessica Addeo
Present over perfect.
Quality over quantity
Relationship over rushing.
People over pressure.
Meaning over mania.
-Shauna Niequist
The holidays are upon us and as always it is a shiny, bright,
and dazzling time of year. All year round life has the capacity to be
beautifully busy and full. However, during this particular season, the fullness
feels ever-present. As the expectations and commitments pile on, it can all start
to feel overwhelming. The to-do lists are long, but connected to something meaningful.
How do we stay connected to the meaning of it all? We practice.
We practice on our mat. As we move our body and breath to
the tempo of the instructor we begin to come back to ourselves. Slowly the only
thing that matters is feeling your foot on your mat, or feeling your shoulder
blades wrap around the back of your heart or even just your breath. You leave
class feeling refreshed, nourished, and grounded. In this space you begin to
remember why you do all the things you do this time of year. The to-do list
shifts from a never ending set of expectations to carry on your shoulders, to a
representation of the love you feel and want to share. How do we keep this
feeling with us as we move off of our mat and into our daily lives? Again, we
practice.
This time we practice off of our mat. As we go about
bringing to life the traditions we hold near to our hearts we feel the four
corners of our feet underneath us and know that we are grounded. We feel our
breath and know that we are present. We hear our teacher’s words whispering in
our head and we keep coming back to ourselves. We shift to a place of awareness
inside where we begin to feel everything around us more fully and clearly,
without the overwhelm. The beauty this time of year has to offer becomes the
center of it all. This is the gift of
our practice. It is what makes yoga at Shree so meaningful and special. And
most importantly it is what keeps you connected to the meaning, your meaning of
the holiday season, and not just to all of the external factors that this time
of year elicits.
The “perfect” holiday is one where people come together who
are happy, connected and present. You can show up for your loved ones with perfectly
executed traditions but on the inside feel frazzled and disconnected. Or you
can choose to practice, both on and off your mat, and bring to the holidays a
grounded, present version of you. Taking a yoga class when you have so much
else to do can seem like just one more thing on the to-do list, but when you
realize the present this practice has to offer, it seems like the perfect
addition to your festivities.
Check our schedule to see when you can give yourself the
gift of yoga.
Happy Practicing and Happy Holidays from Shree Yoga
