7 yoga practices to help us move beyond...

We get stuck.  On our mats, it is called "inflexible", on our birthing beds, "failure to progress", and on paper, a "writer's block".  And whether it's our bodies not opening or our paint brush or words not flowing, our desires can lead to unimaginable frustration. In such moments, we are tempted to force the outcome, or in the case of our creative expression where sheer force would only hinder progression, we either give up after reaching a multitude of dead ends or worse yet fail to begin the exploration.

However, when we look to our ancient, sister yoginis who journeyed the long, narrow road to enlightenment,  consider that it would be beneficial for us to breathe, listen, and wait.  More often than not, when we begin something new, change is slow, even barely perceptible. It is when we persist with confidence, at some point, soon after we have allowed ourselves to move beyond our feelings of hopeless and despair, it happens. What is a ordinary perception of our selves wanes and we become privy to our granduer. In such precious, unbound moments, our bodies fold into our creation and we give birth to our babies, books, and elation!

 We  look back on the fruits of our labor and like our lovely Heather Benway of the circle declared of her birth story, want to hear the words over and over again. We feel awe, how could something so amazing, so brilliant, so original come out of us!   Consider that our effort in waiting is well worth our creation.

Below are 7 yoga practices to help  us move beyond.

1. Close the door. Surrender requires feeling safe.

2. Breathe. Keep your breathe fluid and even. There is a synergistic relationship between the mind and the breathe. When the breathe is balanced, your mind will follow.

3. Focus. Give your attention to something that you love that is still like a plant, coat, or perfume bottle.

4. Listen. You know more than what you think you know.

5. Change. Do something different if you don't feel movement frequently.

6. Feel. Allow your desire to drive your effort.

7. Persevere. Never give up, keep the course until the very end.