"I Feel Different"

I'm teaching a half hour yoga session at work.  The stretches and postures are not the typical ones you'd do in a class, but are things we can do in a conference room in comfortable work clothes.

The essence of yoga, though, isn't the postures.  It is the aware and attentive integration of mind and body while doing the postures.  We benefit physically from the increased flexibility, strength and balance that results from the practice.  But the postures are also a tool used to expand awareness and cultivate equanimity and sustained attention.

This week I had three new students - not only new to my class, but new to yoga.  I emphasized awareness of the breath, and connecting it to movement.  I also gave cues to promote expanded awareness.  For example, calling for awareness of balance and even weight distribution in the feet, then adding awareness of the breath, then of the position of the head.  

After class, one of the new students said "I feel different.  I wasn't expecting that."

I've been pleased to see the impact that this simple, half hour session can bring.  I observe it for myself as well.  There is a lot of agitation and stress in the work environment.  I don't always experience it as such, because it seems 'normal.'  But the contrast when I move from work into the mid-day yoga session is dramatic, and motivates me to look for ways to bring more equanimity, awareness and sustained attention into my work.