Remembering How to Play

When I was an actress (in another lifetime) one of my favorite parts of rehearsing and classes was having permission to play, to try, to fail, to look silly and to have a fun time doing it.  When we were kids this came naturally to most people but as we grow up things seem to shift and it can be hard to access this fun, silly part of us.

This month on the mat we are working on arm balances.  Arm balances can help us tap into the fun, inqusitive, experimental and even empowering part of ourselves that is willing to fall, willing to just try and see what happens.  Arm balances have never been a part of the practice that comes easily to me, and perhaps that is why I've come to enjoy them so much, they are humbling and ask us to not take ourselves to seriously.

When given permission to play and see what happens, it becomes clear that it is the process of playing and not the pose itself, that brings us that feeling of contentment, satisfaction- these feelings are a part of the practice of Yoga.  Santosha, a sanskrit term translating to contentment, is one of the Niyamas in Patanajali's Yoga Sutras.

Santosat anuttamah sukhalabhah

“From contentment and benevolence of consciousness comes supreme happiness.” 

(Mr. Iyengar, Light on the Yoga Sutras)

So as we move into new and perhaps unfamiliar territory this month- give yourself permission to play- on or off your mat!