May, Mothers and More

Hi All,

Mother Nature has again given us her all this past week with record lows and record highs, leading us into the serious ponder of Uggs or Flip Flops…or both, hopefully not at the same time!!  She‘s a strong force, not to be taken lightly.  We bow to, and honor Her deeply.

Speaking of mothers, this Sunday is Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the one who brought you into being, to cherish and honor your Mother for her strength and commitment.  I love being a Mama but it is sometimes one of the hardest “jobs” I have ever had.  I’ve had to dig down deep into the depths of my Soul to make the very best offering to this little person that I am responsible for.  I must be the strongest, most steady version of myself for him.  I also realize with this strong energy that I have to bend a little too.

Can we be strong and resilient at the same time? Absolutely!  This is the very nature of our Yoga practice, it’s what Yoga is all about.  It’s not one energy overpowering the other but a complete partnership of fluctuating ebbs and flows, strength coupled with a bendable temperament.

I often teach on the heart quality of Equanimity.  What does that even mean?  We use it in yoga as a synonym for balance and/or right disposition – both mentally and physically.

It means evenness of mind, especially under stress: maintaining mental calmness and composure.  An equanimous mind is more tranquil and serene in nature and can deal with problems in a calm, cool, collected way.  It’s a groundedness from the inside out, strength married with resilience.

Often we use the Triangle or Trikanasana yoga pose as a symbol of Equanimity.  The tri or 3 angled pose is said to be the strongest of all shapes, balanced with a steady, grounded base of strong legs and feet, yet upward and outward extending energies form the torso and head.

I think May and Moms have a lot in common with the idea of Balanced Action.  May is so busy that to maintain any degree of evenness we have to really work mindfully to be resilient.  Sometimes we have to say “no” so we can stay strong and healthy.  Same with being a good mom:  we have to be strong enough to set them free.  We must bend so that we don’t break, sometimes saying “yes” to give our children a chance to spread their wings and find their own strength and balance.  We all grow together and learn to be strong yet malleable.

May we as Mothers teach our children to subtract what blocks their light….may we not block their light either by being overbearing or too protective.

Whew….what a balancing act this can be! Makes me feel tired to even think about the future too much….therefore, I will try my hardest to be present NOW.

Happy Mother’s Day my friends, go find one and hug her even if it isn’t yours!!!

Calmest regards,
RuthAnn