Steadiness and ease – on the mat and beyond
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Hello, dear ones,
Today is my sister Tracey’s birthday. Some of you are lucky enough to have met her. She’s a phenomenal human – and I could wax poetic about that – but one of the qualities that most comes to mind when I think of her is strength.
She’s a fierce advocate for the people she loves, has a quick wit, and gets sh*t done. She’s strong in mind, body, and spirit. She married her high school sweetheart and supported him, without question and with devotion, through the taxing years of medical school, residency, and cross-country moves. She is mom to four incredible children, cares for countless pets and rescue fosters, has hosted several foreign exchange students – all while being the COO of their household. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Alongside that strength, there’s also an amazing adaptability to roll with whatever that dynamic life has brought her and her family. I’ve seen it time and again – after all, I’ve known her for her entire life. ;)
That blend of strength and grace – steadiness and ease – reminds me of a central teaching from yoga philosophy.
The Yoga Sūtras are a collection of ancient teachings that outline the philosophy and practice of yoga. In one of its most quoted verses, Yoga Sūtra 2.46 – sthira sukha āsanam – is usually translated as “steady and comfortable posture.” In every posture, we’re invited to embody both steadiness (sthira) and ease (sukha): strength and softness, effort and surrender.
The yogis intended this principle to extend well beyond the mat – as a guide for how we live. Because, of course, life is constantly requiring us to dance between these two qualities – and the ancient yogis knew this.
How do we find steadiness in our lives – the strength, stability, and structure that ground and anchor us?
How do we invite in ease – some element of comfort, grace, and adaptability that allows us to be with what is, even in challenging times?
This can feel particularly present for those of us in perimenopause and menopause, when finding this balance can become more challenging and more essential. Yet at any stage of life, yoga invites us to keep returning – again and again – to what strengthens and grounds us, and to what helps us soften and surrender.
I love this sutra’s concepts so much that I’ve built a free class around it specifically for peri/menopausal women – this Friday, November 7, through Respin. (Info below!) Many of you know me for my Restorative and gentle yoga practices, but this one will be a strong, alignment-focused practice!
Please join me in wishing my sister Tracey a happy birthday today – and perhaps you’ll join me on Friday as well.
In gratitude and celebration,
Nicole
FREE CLASS!
Friday, November 7 @ 2:00-2:45 pm Pacific
LIVE STREAM EVENT hosted by Respin Menopause Community