Its natural to set expectations at the start of any journey... during the bender, try setting intentions, rather than expectations. When you set an intention, it puts meaning behind the practice. Setting intentions raises your overall awareness level.
Expectations can get tricky. When your expectations are high, your experience is constantly measured up to what you have set in your mind. When you release all expectations for the bender, you open the door to unknown possibilities. Think about it... if you are expecting a huge bonus at work and the bonus you actually get is about half what you expected, the bonus is less appreciated. However, if you were rewarded for your hard work with an unexpected bonus of the same amount, you would be thrilled.
Setting an intention keeps you on track, it helps keep your focus strong. Your intentions can change as time progresses and your experiences grow. Make your intentions right for you. Let go of expectation and see what comes your way. You might surprise yourself with an experience that is (at this point) unimaginable.
What's your intention?
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We bring our practice to the uncomfortable places in our bodies, minds and hearts... easier said than done, eh?
ReplyDeleteI just want to thank Keith and the others in class this morning for sharing their practice with me. I was not fun to be around, I don't think, and I am truly grateful for having a supportive space where I can wrestle with my demons.
With gratitude,
Jeffrey
I noticed that while I was struggling emotionally and physically- that I would just stop what ever I was doing and just sort of look around. It was a blessing to see others breathing and shaking and sweating and such. I felt inspired by the most subtle and simple gestures.
JANUARY 3, 2010
ReplyDeleteI went to Patrick's class today and almost directly afterward, found myself reflecting on the class. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. Zip. Nada.
Don't get me wrong, it was great to experience another teacher and the class was swell. I just didn't feel like I "gained" anything, per se.
...And then I went to CHESS CLASS this evening.
It was an hour and twenty minutes of analysis. It required concentration. I had already played 2 hours today, so I was feeling some brain drain.
I was slumping in my chair and craning my neck in no time.
My first thought was that I was sore from class because I had to keep correcting my posture. Then I realized that in reality I was getting stronger because of the practice... that normally I would just be slumping and drifting away mentally. That I wasn't sore because of yoga necessarily- but that I was more AWARE of my soreness in general and that I could do something about it.
Speaking as someone who has three separate congenital spinal issues- this was a major breakthrough.
...And because my Spine (antenna) was more and more in alignment- I was more attentive and felt less sore.
If this is just day 3- then day 30 is going to be AWESOME!
What a difference a day makes.
With confidence,
Jeffrey