PAPER TIGERS

Movement is healing for the body. Stillness is healing for the mind.

This is why I share Yin Yoga, Meditation, and Yoga Nidra with others. Healing, strengthening, quieting, sustaining, understanding, loving. All of these things seem to be universal needs that can be cultivated through practice and increasing self awareness. When I hold a yoga posture in quiet stillness, aware of my body, aware of my breath, there is an energetic integration that takes place and brings comfort and ease. In yin we find our boundary in the posture until we meet that wall of resistance, and then we yield to the breath. Distractions, thoughts, worries, and ruminations are given permission to fade away as we stay present in a posture, and we surrender to our original state of consciousness. This is a gift we can give ourselves that can help us to feel more healthy and balanced, and to support us as we navigate daily life.

There is a quote from Henepola Gunaratana, a Theraveda Buddhist monk, who says this: “Distractions are really paper tigers. They have no power of their own. They need to be fed constantly, or else they die. If you refuse to feed them by your own fear, anger and greed, they fade.”

So we keep returning to our breath. To the present moment. To our sense of patience and understanding. We understand that giving ourselves this opportunity to be still and to move mindfully in deep relaxation is necessary. Over time, we are not just releasing pent up discomfort in our bodies, but also pent up thoughts and emotions. We are creating space for ourselves to breathe deeply, to utilize oxygen more fully, to digest more easily, to move with more ease and to sleep with innocence and relaxation.

There is a Chinese Proverb that says, “Tension is who you think you are, relaxation is who you really are.” I invite you to take some time to get to know who you really are.

Current classes can be viewed at www.dalepearson.com under Sessions/Courses. Registration can be done on line prior to the first session, or you can message or email at anndalepearson@icloud.com. New sessions coming up are:

Monday Yin and Yoga Nidra

5:30 - 6:45 pm. Small, carpeted class at Wall Street Church.

8 sessions October 17 to December 5

Wednesday Yin

5:30 - 6:40 pm. In the Living Room at Wall Street Church.

5 sessions November 9 - December 5

Skills and Drills (Tribal Belly Dance)

7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Living Room at Wall Street Church

5 sessions November 9 - December 5