Embrace the pauses…

“Sit still, would you?” I can’t tell you how many times I heard this phrase growing up, especially when getting my hair cut.  And even now, it’s not easy (nor is it my favorite thing) to sit still.  And truly, our culture pushes the go, go, go mode of living these days.

I study, practice and teach yoga, so I try to make a regular practice of rolling out my mat and connecting to my mind, body and spirit.  Yoga teaches that movement and stillness are both natural parts of life.  While I’m really good at the moving part (in yoga this is called “yang”), I find the stillness part (referred to as “yin”) super challenging.  It doesn’t seem like being still should be so hard, but for me it is.

I’m being forced to reflect and go within these days due to a recent illness. While it has taken me quite a while to get there, I’m getting better at the stillness.  I’m finding it allows me to reflect and, most of all, feel, process and release what doesn’t serve me anymore.  Just like this quote above, I am learning to embrace the pause as I take this time to heal.

Question:  Is it easier for you to move? or do you find it easier to sit still?

Food For Thought:  Have you experienced the benefits of sitting still?

Challenge:  Try sitting outside, practicing yin yoga, meditating (anything that requires you to be still), and see how it makes you feel afterwards.  5-10 minutes is doable ;-)