Making Space Through Repetition - by Amie
"Interlace your hands in front of your chest and reach your palms up towards the sky."
Almost every class begins with this instruction.
"Bring your right leg forward. Exhale, fold forward."
Every day, we find ourselves in the same postures. Why?
With the start of the new year, I've been contemplating the significance of repetition and cycles. It seems that every winter season, we go through the same anticipation and stress as the previous year. We repeat.
After every winter, spring arrives with blooming trees and flowers for the creatures returning from their winter slumber.
"Feel your heels press down in Mountain Pose."
Every morning, we wake up, brush our teeth, go to work, eat, sleep, and repeat.
"Exhale. Inhale, lifting your chest up for Cobra Pose."
Any creature born is sure to die and return to the dirt, in which grass grows to feed the deer who are hunted by predators. Repeat. Repeat.
"Relax in Corpse Pose."
Everything seems to move in a cycle. The practice of yoga is simply to become more aware — more aware of my thoughts, actions, habitual patterns, and my breath. When I become aware - my action or my feeling can change.
It starts on my mat.
"Interlace your hands in front of your chest and reach your palms up towards the sky."
By continuously repeating Classic Yoga every day, the physical postures become more fluid over time. There is space to tune more into my breath.
By continuously repeating Classic Yoga every season, my breath becomes more controlled. There is space to tune into my thoughts.
By continuously repeating Classic Yoga every year, there is space between my thoughts, and I can relax in this moment.
When I repeat with awareness my posture can change, my breath can change, my life can change.
Through repetition, we make space.
This was a great read Amie thank you for your insight and thoughts! <3