Shock me, Shakti

Today my morning practice consisted of, well, not practicing. My back was sore and I just got up on the wrong side of the bed. Solution: Shakti Mat! A Shakti Mat is a new take on the old bed of nails tradition. You will see the mat in pictures below to get a better idea if you have never seen one. Resting on a Shakti Mat is sort of like getting acupressure and acupuncture at the same time - it increases circulation and helps alleviate pain. I love mine. It is interesting to note that Shakti means 'to be able' and refers to our life force. Shakti is also the goddess of creation and the agent of all change in Hinduism.

So, this morning after my Sun Salutes I went right to the Shakti Mat. I thought I would still be a productive yogi and read "Light on Yoga," by B.K.S. Iyengar, while I rested. I got through a little bit but then decided to go a different route. I realized that judging myself for needing to rest was not yogic at all - that it was okay to give my body a chance to restore without also giving myself busy work.

This weekend at training we learned about Restorative Yoga - about active rest and providing support for the whole body. Ultimately this is about allowing the body to be in a state that helps you melt into the supported pose and out of your routine.  By doing so, you eventually strip away the layers of attachment
to come closer to your true nature. If that is too mighty a thought - it can also be stripping away the layers of stress until you can fully breathe and relax again.

Doesn't that seem like enough on its own? I didn't need to occupy myself with studying - I was already doing and receiving enough. So in honor of Restorative Yoga I rolled up a towel to support the backs of my knees and donned an eye pillow that has not been appreciated in far too long. Feeling stressed? Find time for yourself - rest, restore, find Shakti.

Brahmacharya - lets talk about sex...

I mentioned this yama some time ago in Mauna, my piece about taking a vow of silence for a day, joking that silence was our tiny version of Brahmacharya and that another was celibacy. There are many ways to participate in Brahmacharya, but primarily this yama is about sexual responsibility.

Human beings are sexual beings - no getting around that. Think about how much energy we put towards this aspect of our lives, and I do not just mean in the act itself: worry about self image, crushes, flirting, stressing over not getting the reaction you may have been looking for, dating, fighting, breaking up, (don't even get me started on the right to birth control access and solid healthcare options) etc. And all this does not even account for the energy we put into the physical act itself.

The point of Brahmacharya is to honor this sexual, tantric energy and realize that it (I would argue only some of it because, well, I am not ready to go celibate) can be put towards a better use - enlightenment. By reserving this energy and using it for spiritual practice we use the energy for a grander end result. (Insert grand end jokes here.) When I was first presented with this idea, the thought seemed outdated and did not resonate with me. I appreciated the day of silence but couldn't see my commitment past that.

But think of Brahmacharya as related to Ahimsa (love, love, love) and it starts to become more relevant. Sexual responsibility is more than a choice to have or not to have sex. It is about being intentional in your desires and acts - not just wasting all that energy for no good reason. It's about honoring your partner - practice Brahmacharya by never cheating and never being hurtful.

I like to always think of the opposites in the yamas and the opposite of responsibility is misconduct. Sexual misconduct can be agonizing for the other person involved. I do not just mean cheating here - think of the worst cases: harassment, abuse, rape, etc - sexual misconduct can be devastating. Sexual misconduct is also every case of sexual inequality, which sadly, is still running rampant in our and most societies.

Ahimsa tells us to do no harm to ourselves and others; to act with love. Brahmacharya and the use of our powerful sexuality, in relation to that thought, is easy to see and easy to practice. Be it on a governmental, human rights level or in a more personal way.

Psh, Luck...

Happy St. Patty's Day! Today is the day we need to search for a four leaf clover at the bottom of every pint - because really we each need that much luck not to wake up with a hangover tomorrow, right? Traditionally, it is a day to celebrate and ask for Saint Patrick's blessing and the Luck 'o the Irish...

This year, I'm thinking life is not about luck at all. I woke up today thinking about karma. We are all here in this moment because of the actions of our past. Meaning, we are totally responsible for our present and can shape our future by the actions we take today. Too heavy for a day of merriment? I think not, but leave you with that for now - we'll talk details later.

Kissing the Blarney Stone... just in case.