by Jen
on August 19, 2012
Santosha – “Contentment, peace.” Santosha names the practice, or niyama, of seeking joy and serenity in life, perceiving the perfect state of balance and perfection in God’s creation.” – source
I almost did not practice yoga today. I went back and forth for hours about whether or not I was going to go to my favorite 4 p.m. class and even almost turned around as I was driving there. I am not sure why I was avoiding practice today but I am so grateful that I did. It felt so good and so right.
My teacher put us into malasana, which is a deep hip opener and open hips = open emotional channel, and held us there for over a minute (she said it was 30 seconds but I know these yoga teacher tricks). Malasana can be somewhat uncomfortable to hold without blocks to sit on and your really have to focus inward to allow yourself to surrender to the pose. We were instructed to close our eyes and look for santosha.
My teacher asked us what we were waiting for to find contentment in our lives…living in the perfect city, finding the perfect partner, leaving a partner, having a baby, children leaving the nest, the right job and so on. The point being that we’re always waiting for something bigger, better, happier, prettier, more, more, more; when really we need to focus on the moment that we’re in and find contentment and happiness in it.
Sullie is very good at finding her santosha. This is life. Right now, this moment, today. Live it and be as happy and joyful as possible.
*Want to read more about santosha? Check out this article.
*Do you live in Charlotte? Get yourself to Suzanne Bergen’s class at Charlotte Yoga. And then thank me later.
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