Stay in Your Seat!

Anecdotal Anatomy

This episode touches on the language & tone we often experience (and sometimes contribute to) in the Yoga world. Theresa & Sherry talk a lot about what it is to “hold space” and how important it is to be able to feel and express the full range of emotions. Even when we do, there can be a residual that seeps into the body, held by its fibers and other connective tissues.

The body doesn’t do denial like the mind. Even if our minds believe a story has been fully lived and told, the body may have something else to say about it.

Emotional wellbeing impacts physical wellbeing and practices are one way to process all that information.

Practicing presence and a willingness to be vulnerable and hold the space for ourselves, will ultimately enable us to see things as they are.

Some practices are formal and done at pre-determined times and have a conscious structure. Other practices are more the fruits of formal practice, which allow us to embody and live into the multiple outcomes of wellbeing they yield. In simpler terms, they are the lived experience of formal practice.

They discuss some of the ways we try to avoid doing the work and how we can get caught up in the tone of the teachings. One way to stay in your seat, stay on your mat or cushion when you are running late is to “Abbreviate don’t abandon.” Shorten it all up to what you can do (even if it’s just a few minutes), so you honor the commitment to be present and practice.

Sources:

Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism – by, Chogyam Trungpa

David Nichter’s article from HuffPost: Stay On Your Cushion: The Importance of ‘Hot’ and ‘Cool’ Boredom During Meditation.

Ethan Nichtern’s Books:

The Road Home

The Dharma of the Princess Bride

The Tibet House

Article: The “Spriitual” Path of Avoidance

BOOK: Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life

Anecdotal Anatomy's Amazing Team:

Judith George - Editor (video & audio)

Keith Kenny - Music

Cindy Fatsis - Photography