A Relationship with Misalignment

A lot of the yoga I've practiced has focused significantly on physical alignment, which both protects the body and allows greater expression and expansion of the pose. The one time I've been able to study with John Friend, he noted how the physical alignment of the body occurs at such a cellular level that it truly makes us "happier" beings. Another great teacher of mine also noted that once you find alignment, "you can't go back." While there's truth in that statement, it's not always followed. And it reminded me of a bad romantic relationship. We've all had them.

You know the kind, right? Deep inside, we know it's not right. Sometimes we even leave, seeking greater alignment in our lives. However, there's comfort in the familiar, and we are often drawn back to what's easy and known. Eventually, the misalignment creates pain and discomfort. Some live with the pain for years, even decades. Others are spurred to truly put an end to the dysfunctional relationship.

Such is my relationship with misalignment. Sitting for 9 hours a day in front of a computer really makes it easy to drift into the comfortable and easy position of slumped soldiers and protruding lumbar, which are the sites of pain for millions in our society. It takes a lot of effort and awareness to break the pattern. Even after years of awareness, I slip into my old habits.

Some of us are not ready to accept the dysfunction that exists in our relationship with our body. I have tried to explain to co-workers why they had a flare up of pain in their lower back, but I realize it is a futile discussion when their eyes glaze over as I speak of "exercises" they can do to make their back healthier. Their time isn't yet right, but it will undoubtedly come.

I think there is an innate desire for alignment in our lives, whether it be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. Too often our relationship with misalignment in any of these forms becomes so familiar and comfortable it is the norm. But eventually there is pain, which is our cue to seek alignment. Because only through alignment can we find greater expansion and expression of ourselves in our lives.

Namaste,

Jacki

Moving Through the Discomfort

In recent weeks I've been challenged in new and unique ways. Afterall, I had to return to the office that essentially fired me for no apparent reason beyond whim and fancy a few days prior, because I took their offer for a different short-term position in order to receive income for a few more months. I asked one of my favorite yoga instructors if I could be his assistant, to which he was responsive but non-committal. And I am venturing into this blog-world and web-o-sphere to see if I can actualize something that's been in my head for over a year. Needless to say, discomfort has been common place for me these past few weeks. It has manifested itself as embarrassment, self-doubt and fear, to name a few. I've had to step out of a comfort zone, and boy have I been grateful for my yoga practice that has taught me so many ways to persevere through the discomfort.

For one, I know that discomfort is not "bad" or something to shy away from. If I went that route, I'd have never learned how to touch my toes or do a back-bend because my hamstrings and shoulders were not "comfortable" attempting those poses for the first time. I also know that my ability to "get" a pose or attain a certain level of achievement does not occur upon first effort. It's all a process, and sometimes those steps feel good and sometimes they feel very awkward and uncomfortable -- even scary, at times. This one is the kicker for me, and I'm interested if others have had experiences unlike my conclusion I draw here: you must make yourself vulnerable to achieve greatness.

That's right, you must make yourself vulnerable to achieve greatness. Have you ever experienced otherwise? Anything that I've ever been truly great at: music in high school, work projects that I've excelled in or my relationship with my husband or friends, have required me to be vulnerable. Afterall, could anyone have ever done a hand stand without the risk, or even likelihood, of falling? If I had not risked the worst of outcomes, I would have not achieved any success.

So, as I walk through my discomfort of vulnerability, rejection and potential "failure", I can stand strong knowing that the other side will undoubtedly reveal gifts and fulfillment, even if they are simply that I tried and took the action that was necessary to move in the direction I wanted to travel.

Namaste,
Jacki

Taking Action!

I have decided to utilize my impending unemployment as an opportunity to pursue a dream and idea that I've had for quite sometime. I wanted to blend my interests and passions into an online space for yogis to visit and share their knowledge and experiences beyond the mat. So, this is less about the physical practice of yoga and more about how we bring our yoga experiences into our everyday life experiences. I hope that a community of individuals come together to discuss anything from nutrition and health to relationships and conflict to greening and your home. This blog and first entry is part of my efforts to commit and take action. How the dream will present itself and unfold is still to be seen. But I hope you join me and both learn from others and share your knowledge about the yoga world that is beyond the mat.

namaste,

Jacki