Two-by-Two they entered the studio. Placing their mats facing each other, gazing at each other, eye to eye, heart to heart, soul to soul. Coming to your mat is a conscious decision, and to see so many couples so dedicated to their practice and to each other was truly a treat.
Partner Yoga is a practice quite different from typical asanas. With an emphasis on communication and trust, partners flow effortlessly through postures and can even assist each other into experiencing postures more deeply! Even if you and your partner are quite different sizes, the counterbalancing of some postures allows both parties to feel protected and grounded; even balancing postures are more effortless with the help of a friend!
Being able to watch couples of various yoga experience and different sizes work seamlessly with each other really solidified our intention for this week- effortlessness. Finding your balance between effort and ease, between holding on and letting go, and between giving and receiving. When we align our physical bodies with our True Selves, our entire existence can seem effortless. Letting things come to you and letting the universe unfold as it will. This idea of effortlessness can also apply to our relationships. How amazing does it feel to find someone with whom you can seemingly talk for hours on end and spend all of your time with?
In Yoga, as in life, there are often many paradoxes. We set intentions to guide our practice, yet stress this idea of effortlessness and letting things come to you. How does that work?!? For me, I spent some time this week reflecting on things in my life that I do that require very little effort or thought before they occur. From here, I evaluated my intentions behind those things that come so naturally, making sure my intention came from a place of loving kindness and adjusting as needed. Then, I thought about things in my daily life that I find more difficult. How can we make these more difficult things seem effortless? While I do not have an exact answer to this perplexing question, it seems axiomatic that, by changing our outlook on things we view as difficult, they can become more effortless and manageable. Whether it be letting go of previous conceptions, treating a stranger with kindness, or even coming to HYS for a partner class, by trying new things and letting go of expectations, we invite this effortless flow into our lives.
Since our first Partner Yoga class was so much fun, here at HYS, we are considering offering a monthly partner class. We’d love to hear your thoughts on info@holisticyogaschool.com
Leave a Reply