A yoga participant recently wrote a wonderful testimonial that got me thinking. We frequently think of yoga as a great way to reconnect the mind and body, to find movement in sticky fascia, or through mindfulness finding calm. This testimonial focuses on “lift” and draws a parallel between yoga and aviation. Read what they have to say:
“One aha moment … was how focusing on stability and sturdiness makes it possible to sense space inside...space expanding, that opening feeling. I'm feeling the difference climbing stairs, walking around puddles on muddy trails, getting into and out of the car. I think ‘stability’ and ready myself before moving. Then when I move it's all upward. When I first worked with you, I mentioned how it felt to drop in -- that I felt like the 50-foot woman in the old sci-fi movie by that name. :)
Also love your increasing use of the word ‘lift’. I have my private pilot certification, [and] a lot of aviation has to do with stability in three dimensions: lift, drag, pitch and yaw -- the latter two being the axes of 3D flight. I always think of lift in the aviation sense, which makes my whole body taller!
I'm also grateful for our mindfulness practice. With the recent violence and the threat of more in the coming week, I have to continually remind myself that I'm safe. Calm. And focus on breathing.”
I have family members who also have private pilot licenses, and their descriptions of the process of getting the licenses is much like the journey we experience through a session of mindfulness. At first, they thought about all the things that can go wrong - what if I forget what switch does what, what if I land poorly, or what if I stall the engine. This is similar to all the thoughts we have at the beginning of a yoga or mindfulness session - worrying about life problems we may not be in control of in the first place, or at least ones we cannot do anything about at the moment. Once my family members got their private pilot licenses, they found peace and calm in flying. Gone were the worries of their days, focused instead on the beauty and peace before them. As we go through a mindfulness practice, we can find calm and let go of what we cannot control, focusing on how our breath comes out instead. We take a deep breath and relax, finding calm.
You may enjoy our blogs on Yoga Linked to Reduced Negative Stress and Mindfulness Meditation Benefits.
Mindful Movement & Yoga and Flow Yoga classes are available live online and On Demand to help you find calm and feel uplifted through mindful practice.
SAM Sather, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online class in yoga as well as weekly recorded On Demand classes. SAM also offers private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.
Click on the link HERE to sign-up and go to the ‘Classes’ tab to sign-up for any sessions, including Yin Yoga, Joint Freeing Yoga, and Mindful Movement & Yoga Classes.
For the latest schedule on the website, click HERE.
On Demand Line-up for January 24th through February 1st & available for signing up:
For more information about On Demand classes, visit our website page HERE or email us at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.
A Reminder:
Two Sessions Remaining!
Open Heart/Open Mind Workshop: A Yoga, Movement, and Writing Series with Leesann Shefa
Date: Online Saturdays January 23rd, & 30th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST
Cost: Regular class price ($10 for individual class, or use one from a class package for savings.)
Sign-up: HERE. Go to each date and register. If you need help signing up for one or more, please email: info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.