Maintaining “At-Easeness”

On April 29th, 2011, posted in: Peaceable Healing, Peaceable Living, Uncategorized by 7 Comments
Sandy at-ease in kitchen.

Recently, I returned from my first twelve days of Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in Lenox, Massachusetts.  It was a very intense, rich and full twelve days.  The schedule went from morning sadhana (yoga practice) at 6:30 a.m. to the last class of the day from 7-9:30 p.m., a full day, indeed.  But though each day was full to overflowing, my inner world was softening, quieting, relaxing despite the intensity and fullness of my training.

Somehow, this seems in-congruent.  How can one actually feel “at-easeness” when so much is being demanded physically, mentally, and emotionally? Upon reflection, I think that it must be that the chanting, breathing techniques, and yoga postures are working in a subtle, unconscious way to bring the inner landscape to a place of peace and stillness, “at-easeness.” Each of these practices works in its own way to bring one’s body/mind/emotions into balance where the inner world can remain quiet despite the work, effort being done and taking place around it.

When I returned home from my first twelve days of training, I was amazed to find that the sense of a“at-easeness” that I left Kripalu with was still with me though there were things that needed attention:  mail, laundry, dishes, family affairs, etc.  I was able to be in that quiet, relaxed place even while I was quickly put back in my everyday world.  This was not the case in re-entries from other trainings of the past.  So this new experience was nice.  It felt good, and I want it to continue.

But how?  How can I maintain this “at-easeness” or even a “. . . modicum of at-easeness . . . ,” as so aptly put by one of my Kripalu yoga teacher training teachers?  What’s the trick?  Or maybe there is no trick.  Maybe it’s just about having a practice, a daily practice of yoga, chanting, and breathing exercises.  Maybe it’s as simple as that.

I’ve had a taste of inner “at-easeness” that has been more than momentary.  It is still with me.  So what’s different?  Well, I’ve kept my practice up, not always as complete as I would like, but I’ve kept it up more fully than before.  That is what is different this time.  Maintaining “at-easeness” is about doing the work/effort regularly.  The more the work/effort the greater the benefits not just in the moment of the doing but in each moment of one’s daily living.

Perhaps, you, too, will choose to find and maintain “at-easeness.”  Find a practice that works for you.  But most of all, maintain it.  Give it time and space to fill you up.  Then notice . . . .

May “at-easeness” be yours,
Sandy

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