“I had a near death experience in yoga today.”
This was the text I sent my daughter after my first experience in the Heated Flow Yoga class at my new gym. I had no idea what I was getting into when I ventured into a large, dimly lit yoga studio that was already uncomfortably warm and full of people of all ages.
By full, I mean really well attended by lots of well toned people.
This is a good sign, I mused, thinking that it must be a good class. So, I tuned into myself and began to stretch as more bodies poured into room bringing their energy (and heat) with them. This was certainly a different experience than being at Live in Joy Yoga in Audubon which is my favorite yoga studio.
The class began in a familiar fashion and I felt a sense of comfort as we began moving with some gentle poses.
The differences in this type of class were noticeable but understandable. I was in a gym after all, not a yoga studio. The music was modern, like you might hear on the radio, instead of the familiar yogic chants or ambient music. The language was commonplace rather than yogic, yet it still referred to the wisdom within and a higher influence. I closed my eyes and followed the flow. It felt good. “Do your own flow now at your own pace,” invited the instructor.
Wait, what?! The music turned way up. My body heated way up. And the roomful of yogis began engaging the poses like they all knew the drill (turns out they did).
Now this was interesting and a bit distracting. Yet, when I tuned into my breath, the movements, and the pulsing music that sounded like something my kid listened to, I actually discovered a really cool flow. Kind of like a mix between a yoga class and a rave. It was fun. I was good again. Just as I was getting into the experience, the music was turned down and my mind returned to assess the situation.
I was hot. Really hot. I realized I hadn’t sweated like this since I was in a sweat lodge ceremony many years ago.
My tiny towel was defenseless against my wet limbs. My sense of well being diminished. Just in time for the next flow series. A new flow series. New loud music. Lots more sweat and a bit of slip and slide.
This was way more challenging and I felt like a novice. Everyone else looked like they were filming a power yoga video.
Okay, then. This was good. Listening to the instructor as a strategy to distract myself from my overheating body, over beating heart, and straining limbs, I recognized a familiar universal message in her words. I felt my energy flow and my being relax. The body didn’t exactly follow, however it became easier.
I began to feel like I was on a spiritual retreat as I followed her pointing toward my inner wisdom, a universal source of good, and the unity of the group.
That was a much better focus than on my mind’s suggestion that I might actually expire and travel heavenward during the class. As I began to breathe in the heat, I enjoyed the idea of all these people sharing in this message while detoxing and getting fit. I decided I like the gym a bit better because of this yoga program.
I learned a lot in that yoga class/rave/sweat lodge/spiritual retreat experience.
I learned I have a lot more strength to build in my body as evidenced by my yogi friends leaping on their mats and flowing with strength and grace. I would like to experience that strength in flow, so I will return to that practice. I loved the loud music as I flowed my body, so perhaps I need to get out and dance more.
I left a hot mess: breathless, shaky, and unable to do much more than walk slowly on a treadmill in the air conditioning to reorganize my body. “Next time,” I thought, “I’m bringing a bigger towel.”
I hope you find experiences which take you out of your comfort zone into a space where your heart beats a bit too quickly and your footing is unsteady. And when you notice this, I hope you can stay and lean into the fullness of the experience for it has the potential to teach you something important.
Leaning into discomfort goes against our ancient stress response system which prepares us to fight or flee when the tigers or pirates appear. Or in my case, a challenging hot yoga flow class.
Being aware that life holds discomfort and the possibility for change helps you prepare for the inevitable so you may lean in and discover something. Train yourself to breathe deeply and remain centered while you become curious, find your edge, and gently travel beyond it. When you stretch into the unfamiliarity of a new, challenging experience, you may unearth how your habitual way of living has kept you tethered, most often without your conscious awareness.
Freeing yourself from inner restrictions reveals the potential for magnificent life.
Invite your inner curious child scientist to explore life beyond the known way of being – beyond your comfort zone. When you lean into the situation at hand, your innate skill, desire, and enthusiasm arise. You discover you are capable of living an extraordinary life and that the world, with its many needs, is waiting for your gifts.
So, grab a towel and sweat a bit as you allow your higher potential to descend.
Peace be with you and with all. No exceptions.
If yoga isn’t your thing, you can still benefit from a single pose. Known as the corpse pose, Shavasana, typically comes at the end of your yoga practice. Allowing you to deeply rest as you lie flat on your back. Arms relaxed on either side of the body with palms facing up. Your legs sprawled outward with feet apart. Keeping your head and neck aligned. And if you’ve just finished a walk, yoga class, workout, or a day at work, this pose will help you integrate the changes made in your energy, mind, emotions, and body. Just a few moments in shavasana, paired with conscious, slow breathing, can do wonders to slow the mind and soften the tension in the body. If you fall asleep? That’s okay! You clearly needed a nap.
Learn the one essential skill that allows you to face any challenge with confidence, sturdiness, and inner calm.
More than a technique. It’s a game changer.
In September, I’m returning to the Temples of Humankind in Damanhur, Italy. It feels like an understatement to claim that this is a place of power, mystery, and majesty. Yet, I’ve found this to be true for myself and those I’ve met who’ve traveled within the extraordinary to the Temples and the community of Damanhur.
One cool Spring morning, I stepped on the treadmill at the gym looking forward to walking a few miles. Recovering from an injury, I had to walk at a moderate pace so I had brought my copy of What Is Enlightenment? magazine to explore. I always found something to inspire me within this publication focused upon consciousness, culture, and cosmos.
Stress is a natural experience in life. It’s often viewed as a doorway to disruption of wellbeing, peace of mind, and a clear navigational path in a challenging situation.
I’m a bit of a news hound these days. As one who hasn’t watched a newscast in years, I’m surprising myself. Ordinarily, I wait for the news to come to me. And it does. When something is important for me to know or respond to, I hear about it. Kind friends, clients, my husband, or a random stranger share a soundbite which cues me to look into a situation further. I’ve been very comfortable with this level of engagement for years now.
In the midst of our country’s woes, I’ve got Lucinda Williams singing in my head.
“You can’t rule me
you wanna go and tell me what’s good for me
you wanna tell me what I’m payin’ for
Well, the game is fixed, it’s plain to see
I ain’t playin’ no more”
I drove through a hail storm today. It began gently, offering a musical accompaniment to my journey. Intensifying, the hail noisily demanded my attention.
