Beyond dumpsters
Hello Mindful Friends,
Beyond movement, nutrition, midlife motivation, and VT garden fare, Mindful Movement hopes to deliver information that's useful.
Helpful hints that you can mobilize...off your mat, in your garden, while living on this blue, spinning sphere.
Most of you are aware I’m working on my 200 hour yoga certification.
If you’ve delved into the practice of yoga beyond the physical (a common entry point), you know how sophisticated a system it is.
Down-dogs feel good, and deep breathing is revolutionary for your nervous system (we tend to breathe from our chest-musculature), but yoga is literally a way of living.
Within yoga’s methodology, the Yamas and Niyamas are guidelines, and ethical disciplines, that give wisdom, and direction to a well lived life; they’re the first two limbs of the 8-fold path in yoga philosophy.
This week while studying Santosha (contentment), my assignment was: Practice gratitude and non-seeking – be content with each moment as it is.
I’m an optimist by nature, so, cake-walk yeah?
But the 50/50 (half joy, half suffering), in me was tilted toward the "not feeling it" side... the autumn 'feels' (like a long bout of the Sunday scaries), were visiting.
Although I'm surrounded by beauty, and 'I have nothing to complain about', I wasn’t sure how this assignment would come to fruition.
Until while at a gas station, my attention was coaxed by a group of chlorophyll saturated trees – gesturing beyond their boundaries.
It was as though they gently pulled my face and sang “look here, beyond the dumpsters, wake up & join the dance!”
They oscillated in unison like lighter-lit waving arms at an 80's concert.
The setting wasn’t IG, nor Facebook worthy – after all, it’s a gas station.
But the trees were a fertile family in their jungle – making movement music.
And me?
I took my phone, shot this shot, and rejoiced in a moment of contentment, non-seeking, and gratitude.
And you?
Where are you finding contentment, non-seeking, and gratitude these days?
Don't be surprised if these moments find you in the humdrum of your life.
On the 8-fold path with you,
Becky
