“Center everywhere, circumference nowhere.” -Kaivalya Upanishad

 

What does it mean to be at the center of your life?  Do you find yourself chasing an endless “to do” list that only expands the more items you scratch off?  Both Greek and Yogic myths tell the story of a wrathful creature, who when slain, only multiplies.

It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of outer and inner expectations and lose center in the process.  When our inner expectations do not correspond to the immediate reality it creates stress.

Sometimes we need to take action and address our situation head on.  Other times the situation requires that we change our perception of what is happening, to lessen our demands on life and return to that centered place within.

Yoga gives us physical and philosophical tools to be fully resourced when confronting outer and inner challenges.  On the physical level, one of the simplest things we can do is to check in with our breath.

We have all been told to be mindful of our breath in asana class.  Why? Yogic scriptures describe an immutable relationship between the breath and the mind.  The quality of our thoughts are reflected in our breath.

Asana helps to expand our breathing capacity.  Breathing practice expands our awareness.  With repetition and practice, we can shift from panic to placid by simply modifying our breath.

Try this the next time the creation does not correspond within your criteria:

Slowly, breathe in through your nose for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 6 out through the mouth, pausing briefly at the bottom of the exhale.  When you find your rhythm with this pace, stay there awhile and then up the go up to a 1:2 ratio (in for 4 and out for 8) with a brief pause and the bottom of the exhale.***

Do this until the tension the dissipates.

Creating Wholeness & Peace

Philosophically, yoga teaches that we are always whole.  Our essence is forever at peace, no matter what is going on outside.  This is the ultimate goal of yoga, to align ourselves with the infinite source of the creation, to return to that centered place within, beyond any “to do” list.

From this centered, peaceful place we are far more resourced to affect positive change in the outside world, to serve life more fully.

Yoga retreats, such as our upcoming Spring “Return to Center” Retreat in Grant, CO, are a great way to return to center because they take you out of your element, remove you for the busyness of day-to-day life and force you to pause.

When you find yourself on the stressful outer orbit of who you truly are, remember to breath deliberately and marvel that your finite problems occupy a very small part of a limitless universe; the nature of which is infinite peace, and whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.

Yours in Spirit, Tradition and Service of Yoga,
Derik

 

“RETURN TO CENTER”
A DONATION-BASED RETREAT!
GRANT, CO – MAY 12-14, 2017