A Conscious Pause

I remember the first day I dropped into a yoga class. It was in college many years ago.  I had heard about yoga and was intrigued. But my interest wained 5 minutes into the class – too slow and turned to a mild annoyance when I got to the end to do Shavasana (relaxing post.) I couldn’t wait to leave the class and didn’t sign up for another one until we moved to Lake Forest 10 years ago.

By then I had three children and was actively searching for a little more peace in my life so I decided to try it again. However, not only did my interest fade within the first few minutes but actually turned into a full blown panic toward the end of the class as I ran through my endless “to do” lists in my mind. I spent the last 20 minutes of class trying to decide if it would be rude if I grabbed my mat and walked out. I vowed I would never take another class.

Then one day a few summers ago I ran into a good friend. She also has a child with significant learning challenges and generally looked as I often do,  a little beleaguered and somewhat frazzled, but this time she looked relaxed, healthy and had a calm aura surrounding her. I was so surprised by the change that I asked her what she had been doing all summer – reading, running, lots of wine – “No”, she said “yoga.” After that chance encounter I decided to try out a new yoga studio in town and to commit to the practice for the entire summer.

The first few weeks were hard and at the end of many classes I toyed with the idea of quitting. I still found myself frustrated by the pace and the constant thoughts racing through my brain. But after the first three weeks I started to notice a change in my connection to my body. I also noticed a shift in my mind and started to understand that I had the capacity to expand and retract my thoughts at the same time. By the end of the summer I felt like I had discovered something that I had been looking for my entire life.

I can no longer engage in my physical practice with the same intensity and devotion of that summer but I am able to create my more moments of “yoga” through out the day

Which leads us to our December post and “The Conscious Pause.” During this season of immense joy and celebration we can often find ourselves moving through the holidays so quickly and with such little thought that we’re unable to fully appreciate the spirit of the season.

So I turned to Lisa Faremouth Weber, Founder of Heaven Meets Earth yoga studio, to give us more detail about the practice. Heaven Meets Earth is a real gem in the yoga community for Lisa’s studio really allows a deeper sense of all yoga experiences. While I’m not able to attend all of her offerings I’m grateful for the ones I can attend and know that she is there. If you’re ever in Evanston, I encourage all of you to treat yourself to a visit to her studio.  Whether it is to attend a class or shop in her boutique you’re in for a real treat.

Lisa’s “how to” on creating conscious pause is below…

Step 1 – Sit comfortably. If you are able to sit down on the floor on a cushion in crossed legged position, great. If not, sitting in a chair will work. The key is to get comfortable.

Step 2 – Wriggle your hips side to side or tip your pelvis forward and back to release your hips and back. Allow your hips to settle so that it feels like your energy is floating up your spine. Lengthen your back.  Allow your nose to be in line with your navel.  Feel like your head is floating like a helium balloon.  Roll your shoulders back so it feels like your chest, shoulders and neck are loose and relaxed.

Step 3 – Relax. Breathe into your belly and as you exhale Relax!  Notice your jaw relaxing. Relax behind your eyes. Relax at your heart space. Soften the top of your head. Feel like the top of your head is flowering open like an orchid flower. Continue breathing into your belly allowing your breath to fill your chest and when you exhale – let go, surrender, relax and open.

Step 4 – Scan your body, scan your energy field looking for the grip of tension. Release it, let go, and open. Think outer body soft – inner energy body bright and radiant. Notice the fluctuation of your breath in your body. This is your energy, your life force, prana.

Step 5 – Do what you need to do to feel like you are open and relaxed. Breathe. Open. Listen. Be Happy! Wow!

I recommend doing your Conscious Pause Meditation for 5 minutes at least once or twice per day. You can do a mini Conscious Pause anywhere – in the grocery line, in your car when stopped at a stoplight, etc. The key is to be aware of when your are becoming stressed. Notice the grip of tension and release it so that you are open again and can live in Radiant Awareness. Life is Good! All is well! Enjoy the Holidays!

In closing, Jane and I are wishing all of you a very happy holiday season and looking forward to sharing more adventures together in the new year!

Zen Moment

“Only when your consciousness is totally focused on the moment you are in can you receive whatever gift, lesson, or delight that moment has to offer.”
– Barbara de Angelis