Week 2: 2/8/2021

How many times have you heard someone say that they were giving (or sometimes expecting) 110% when all humans know that there is only ever 100% of anything to give in any one moment?  “Balls to the wall,” is another common cliche that I have definitely chosen to use when the right set of powerful circumstances called for it.  In today’s society, it seems we practice, recognize, and reward the effort, the grind, the hard-ass work!

As a performer in the Entertainment Department at Walt Disney World in Orlando during my college years, I can remember laughing at those who would agree with the supervisors or lead coordinators to “pace yourself” during a performance.  My fellow seasoned cast members and I would stand and snicker at the thought.  How do you think we earned these full time roles in this show, by pacing myself?  Just the opposite!  The company’s choreographers recognized performers who pushed to extremes.  In those formative years of my adult education, I was reinforcing what my dad had always instilled, your value lies in your work ethic.

Hard work has the capacity to take people far, but what if I were to suggest that its capacity is limited when pushing relentlessly against the extremes of life? Do you ever just feel tired of fighting so hard every day?  Could it be possible to add something to your power to make it even more effective?  I’m not sure, but I think I’m learning about it in week 2 of Yoga Teacher Training at Warrior One.

It relates to the energies surrounding the first and second chakras, STHIRA and SUKHA, respectively.  The fires generated by strength from hard work that have become the norm today are associated with Sthira.  Yes, we’ve become trained to work hard or criticize ourselves for not working hard.  Some people push nonstop.  That speaks of the way that I’ve tried to control most of my life, with my hard work and perseverance.  If I fall down, I get up and push some more.  On the surface, this seems to yield success in the eyes of other people.

But I’ve often wondered why life has to be so hard.  I remember saying something like that to my first born son moments after his birth while shielding his new eyes to the bright lights.  Something like, “I’ll be here loving you everyday through all the problems you face.”  Those are the first things I had to say to my son, life is hard kid!  It definitely shows my perspective after experiencing the first three and a half decades of life.

Well all Sthira energy with no Sukha energy results in a limited flow.  The lesson I learned about Sthira and Sukha is that BOTH ARE ESSENTIAL in all things all throughout the universe.  They work together, simultaneously to yield the greatest impact.  This concept is absolutely mind blowing;  I love those moments in life!  Knowing this, we are challenged to notice the energies running through our bodies and change our way of thinking and behaving, especially in moments of struggle, to achieve a healthier  balance.

Since I have argued that many people push with strength primarily, let’s explore some ways to bring ease to moments of strength.  In strong yoga poses or workouts, relax the muscles in your face, around your jaw, on your forehead.

If you find yourself yelling at your kids, take a breath and soften your tone, like maybe no parent took the time or effort to do when you were little.  Any lesson from a mistake is absorbed more nicely when your parent’s arms are wrapped around you.

When you are struggling with effort to accomplish something complex on your own, consider whether seeking help from a coworker or loved one would ease the heavy burden.  You are limited if you do not ask; probably too often, we do not ask.

Really notice when the criticism of your mind is running its habitually negative course, and sooth your thinking with kind thoughts of your own self worth and value.  Like the blood pumping through your magical heart, they are surely present every day.

And just for fun when you’re jamming to some hard core rock ‘n roll, mix in a ballad to soften the mood some.  Dave Matthews Band, to whom I am partial, has a lovely mixture of Sthira and Sukha sounds on each album.

Strength and ease are forces that should be present in all things in the universe.  If a balanced life is a more healthy life, consider whether you need to invite ease to all life’s endeavors like so many other humans around you.