Yoga Podclass
Embracing Change: Breathing Through Transitions
You're standing at the edge of a new beginning, perhaps a job change, a move, or even the start of a new relationship. The excitement is palpable, but so is the uncertainty. It's in this space between the known and the unknown that we often find ourselves holding our breath, both metaphorically and literally.
In This Article
- •Understanding Change — Discover the essence of change and its impact both on and off the yoga mat.
- •Physical Practice Insights — Learn specific yoga poses and sequences that embody the concept of change.
- •Real-Life Applications — Explore how the principles of embracing change can be applied in daily life scenarios.
- •For Yoga Teachers — Gain teaching insights to guide students through transitions in practice and life.
Introduction
Change is the only constant in life, a truth as undeniable as gravity. It's the transitions, the spaces between what was and what will be, where true growth and transformation occur. Change is not merely a shift in circumstances but a journey through an inner landscape that is ever-evolving. It's not about the big, dramatic moments but the subtle shifts in perception and understanding.
It is crucial to understand what change is not: it's not a loss of control nor a sign of instability. Misconceptions about change often lead to resistance, manifesting as tension in both the body and mind. By embracing change, we learn to flow with life's inherent unpredictability, finding stability within ourselves despite external fluctuations.
On the Mat
When practicing yoga, change manifests in every breath and movement. It's present in the way we enter a pose, hold it, and transition out of it. The physical practice of yoga invites us to observe and interact with change, teaching us to breathe through discomfort and uncertainty.
- Warrior II to Reverse Warrior: This sequence embodies the essence of transition, highlighting the fluidity between strength and openness. Notice the change in muscle engagement as you shift from the grounding and expansion of Warrior II into the lengthening and lifting of Reverse Warrior. This flow mirrors life's requirement to balance effort with ease.
- Cat-Cow: Through the rhythmic arching and rounding of the spine, this movement pattern illuminates the subtle shifts in our physical and emotional landscapes. It teaches us to breathe into and out of changes, using the breath as a bridge between movement and stillness, tension and release.
- Breathwork (Pranayama): Practices like Ujjayi breath guide us in managing change by focusing on the consistency of the breath, even as we move through challenging poses or sequences. This steadiness becomes a metaphor for navigating life's changes with grace and resilience.
- Rationale: These sequences and breathwork practices are chosen for their ability to physically manifest the concept of change, making the abstract tangible.
- Cueing Language: "Notice the subtle shift in your body as you transition," "Let your breath guide you through the movement," and "Embrace the fluidity between poses."
- Pacing: Introduce these sequences slowly, allowing students to fully experience each transition. Encourage mindfulness over speed.
- Common Obstacles: Students may rush through transitions or hold their breath. Remind them that the space between poses is as significant as the poses themselves.
- Timing: Incorporate these sequences in the middle of the class, once students are warmed up and more present in their bodies.
- Delivery: Offer these teachings as invitations to explore rather than directives, encouraging personal discovery and connection to the concept of change.
Off the Mat
In daily life, change is all around us, yet it's in the mundane, the "in-between" moments, that its lessons are most profound.
Moving to a New City
Relocating involves logistical changes but also invites an internal shift. In this transition, like moving through poses, there's an opportunity to reset, to establish a new foundation while carrying forward the lessons from past experiences.
Career Transitions
Switching jobs or careers can feel like shifting from a familiar pose to an entirely new one. It's a blend of excitement and anxiety, requiring us to find balance and stability within the change, reminding us that growth often requires discomfort.
Relationship Dynamics
Relationships evolve, reflecting the constant dance of coming together and moving apart, much like the flow of a yoga sequence. These changes challenge us to remain open and adaptable, learning to grow individually and together.
Personal Growth
The journey of self-discovery is perhaps the most profound example of change. It's an ongoing process of introspection, learning, and evolution, mirroring the way our yoga practice deepens over time.
Share these examples mindfully, recognizing that every student's relationship with change is unique. Avoid projecting your own experiences onto students, and instead, invite them to explore their own transitions and growth.
Making the Connection
Connecting your experience on the mat to your life off the mat.
"Just as we breathe through the transitions between poses, let us breathe through life's changes, finding peace in the movement and trust in the flow."
"Embrace each moment, on and off the mat, as an opportunity to learn and grow. Change is not just about reaching new destinations but appreciating the journey."
Deliver these phrases during moments of stillness, allowing students to absorb the connection between their physical experience and life's broader patterns. Timing is key; introduce these reflections during Savasana or after a challenging sequence.
Try This
Next time you face a change, whether it's as simple as altering your routine or as significant as a life transition, pause. Before reacting, take three deep breaths. In this space, allow yourself to observe the change without judgment, responding from a place of curiosity and openness, rather than from fear or resistance.
Encourage students to view this practice not as an additional task but as an invitation to integrate mindfulness into their daily lives. Frame it as a choice, a way to invite ease and acceptance into moments of change.
For a deeper exploration of this theme, listen to our related episode, "Breathing Through Transitions." Reflect on how you navigate change, both on your mat and in your life. How can you carry the lessons of fluidity and presence into your everyday experiences?