The art of being still

On the first day of teacher training here in Bali, I walked excitedly into the yoga studio, set up my blankets and arranged my legs for our first sitting meditation practice.

Letting my hands to rest in my lap, I gently closed my eyes and was instantly overcome with feelings of relief. Oh, to be still - I thought!

Like you, I've been super busy over the past year - there's my freelance work, university studies, yoga practice and teaching, friends, family and trying to read at least one book every month (lol!)... 

We often hear people talking about slowing down; walking rather than running; putting spaces between our daily tasks; allowing more time for ourselves to breath deeper and soften - but how often do we completely stop and be still?

Even when we do take some time out on holidays, we rush around trying not to miss anything, desperately collecting photographs for our Instagram and Facebook feeds to prove we are happy and fabulous!!

Other than during sleep and in Savasana, when do we sit or lay still and just let the world pass us by?

Do you ever sit quietly and contemplate life? When was the last time you simply sat and noticed what was going on around and within you - no phone, no distractions, just you?

Back on retreat, we increased our timing over the days and week, and I realised that my mind and body was craving this stillness. I wanted the complete surrender, peace and solitude of meditation. I needed this quiet morning ritual that helped me to set a more calm and accepting tone for the rest of the day.

Even though I've done sitting meditation in the past, I don't always find it easy to do or keep up. I had not been practicing regularly before the retreat and each morning I re-discovered just how much I enjoyed and missed it in my life.

I guess there's always things to be done, and so many 'easier' ways to tune out and unwind - our options are endless these days...

And then there's the sitting itself - yes it's hard. Sometimes it's the mind that's wishing to be anywhere else. Other times it's the knees, ankles, hips or back that calls out for movement.

Just like our yoga practice, however, the experience of sitting is different every single day. While it can be challenging and frustrating at times - it's also grounding, a coming home and resetting, and an opportunity to go deeper within yourself.

Sometimes, I start my yoga classes with a 5 minute sitting - so join me on the mat for a taste and find out if you're craving some stillness in your life too!

There is something

that contains everything.

Before heaven and earth it is.

Oh, it is still, unbodied,

all on its own, unchanging.

all-pervading,

ever-moving.

So it can act as the mother

of all things.

Not knowing its real name,

we only call it the Way...

- Tao Te Ching; Imagining mystery.