Brushing off the ants and moving on
I took a photo this morning at sunrise, of three sweet little birds resting on the side rail of the boat. I was doing some yoga, blissing out, thinking how cool life is. Then I started scratching. I had all these tiny flying ant type things crawling all over me - nose, back, arms - revolting. Well, that sure ruined the moment of tranquility. My reaction wasn’t pretty. I flicked them off and moved spots. Straight away I went into a “my morning is ruined, oh it’s so hard, why…” but managed to catch myself. I realised that calming practice is also about recovery. We practice calm not just for the feeling good of right now.
The BeCalmed method focuses on a systematic way of experiencing life without tension. This means we can respond to life in other ways than our destructive habitual patterns.
There’s no tension in the present moment. And life without tension feels better, is more useful and has the potential to transform our life and others. By dropping ourselves into the present, right now, we are open to things as they are: Not our shittiness, or insecurity, or reactiveness, or destructive storylines - but the subtler, wiser side of ourselves. We express vulnerability and compassion that connects us to others.
For me, Yoga Nidra is where the expression of this subtlety truly lies. This year I’ll be including new elements in Yoga Nidra sessions, while keeping its profound and ancient simplicity. My favourite one, thanks to Yoga Nidra teacher Kamini Desai, is…
Our source is our silent stillness.
Our goal isn’t to be in a state of calm all the time. Flying ants have a right to exist too! Life is *ucking hard sometimes and jolts us. Maybe the point is to be able to deal with life better by continuing to learn to come home to our calm, still source more - albeit briefly. It is a rich and boundaryless space.
“Our source is our silent stillness”. Kamini Desai
BeCalmed Studio is an active relaxation studio in Titahi Bay, Porirua. Small forest-studio classes for a maximum of four people include yoga nidra, yin yoga, stress release, breath work, meditation, discussion, online support and classes, one-on-one classes. Yoga Porirua can now be found in a gorgeous little forest in Titahi Bay. Book here or Contact Janie.