A Game of Chicken
I hear a lot of yoga teachers say that the purpose of yoga is to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and that is not at all how the teachings land for me. When I hear the phrase getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, it evokes images of steeling the body and mind to see who can tolerate the pain the longest, and I just don't believe that we need to play a game of chicken with our pain or discomfort. In order for yoga to enhance the life force, the channels must be open so that energy can flow. I don't know about you, but when I'm in a protective stance, my body is rigid, not fluid, and that puts my nervous system on alert. Spoiler alert: pain is a sign that the nervous system is perceiving a threat, so a surefire way to increase pain is to heighten the threat level.
I believe that the purpose of yoga is to be so situated within our own selves that we can be present with a range of experiences, and we know how to support ourselves when challenging situations arise. Our practice helps us learn to be flexible, how to adapt, and most importantly how to be present and responsive to our changing needs. My friend Lentine says that we check the outside weather to know how to dress and what gear to pack. Developing a relationship with ourselves allows us to check our internal weather so we know how to meet ourselves with love and support, just like we know how to meet the rain with a raincoat or umbrella.
No one likes to feel uncomfortable, but the challenge is not the discomfort, it is the way we relate to it. If we resist it, through avoidance or anger, we will be feeding it energy, and it will grow. If we try to pretend it doesn't bother us, it will show up in other ways (maybe as digestive discomfort or a skin rash). On the other hand, if we understand it as temporary and offer ourselves the support we need to meet it, we will learn that we have the capacity to be in the flow and its power will naturally dissipate. This is super important because we simply cannot control the flow of the universe. No amount of struggle will stop the waves from coming. We don't need to stand in the storm and try not to get knocked over, we need to build a boat and learn how to surf.
This simple shift in perspective can make a world of difference because the way we relate to something influences how we will experience it. We'll be exploring the way we relate to things and how we listen to our body's inner wisdom in practice this week. If you are curious, join a sadhana. Let's support each other in listening to our body's deep inner wisdom and responding with compassion and support.
