An insight about Friendship and sTREss Away Yoga
At first glance, one might ask the question how does friendship tie in with connecting to oneself. Jacky came up with the idea that we could see our body as our best friend and how should we treat this friend?
Imagine you are having a deep and meaningful conversation with your best friend. You listen intently, you may say soothing words or touch, stroke or hug your friend as they talk about a challenge they are facing. You give them 100% of your attention and do all you can to provide support and just be there for your friend. When we start to see our body as our best friend, in the same way we will be more nurturing to it.
In the ancient Sanskrit language, “yoga” is broken into two parts “yo” meaning yoke or union, while “ga” means self, mind, body, spirit. When you befriend your body, you will see your body as being the best friend to your mind. How would you treat your best friend? To optimise the potential in our lives we need to nurture and strengthen the relationship with ourselves. We can learn to bring mind and body into harmony so that they work together cohesively to manifest only what is best for you.
It is so vital in your yoga practice to listen to your body. Society has given us drugs, alcohol etc so that we can mask what our body is telling us. then we can get on with our lives as though nothing is wrong. But it is only a mask and it prevents the body from naturally repairing and curing itself. When you stretch in your yoga and it causes your breath to become laboured or you start to feel uncomfortable, has you pull back or rest. Too many Yoga studios are pushing their students, similar to how you push your body in the gym or in your rugby game. Over time, your body makes it clear it did not like the over-extension and stress brought on the body. Gerry, in particular, has been a professional sportsman and knows that over-extending and pushing through will not ultimately better your performance.
Go gently at first and as flexibility and mobility increases you will easily move into those postures that seemed out of reach to begin with. It is not a competition. It is a friendship. Listen to your body and it will be your best friend. Body and mind in harmony. The best combination.
