Effort and Ease

I came to yoga for the physical aspect. For the flexibility and the sweat. I return for the breath. I return for the opportunity to be open and curious. To be a sponge. For the opportunity to be observant and to turn inwards. To let go of whatever happened before, or whatever comes after - and to be fully present on my mat. If only for a few minutes. If only for a breath.

In my first Teacher Training, we read an article that talked about playing the edge, and the difference between pushing, control, and progress vs. softening, surrender, and relaxation. When I started practicing it was all GO GO GO. Now, I mostly want to roll around on the floor. Maybe this is what yoga practice is really about. Finding the balance between the two. The push and the softening. Steadiness and ease. Or effort and ease. To find softening in strenuous poses, and to be fully present in poses where you could drift away. Sthira Sukham Asanam.

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Yoga As Self-Transformation by Joel Kramer