“Who Am I”

It’s Wednesday evening and I am quietly reading in the waiting room of the yoga studio. Patiently I wait for an always fulfilling and calming practice led by my favorite teacher, Peter. I consider Peter to be like my little piece of India here in Vancouver 😛 He can create this amazing calm energy in a room packed with people. And well his messages… (pause for a moment to reflect in gratitude)… are just so beautiful and seem to be just what I need at the time.

Okay back on track… The doors to the yoga hall burst open and I am instantaneously surrounded by this chaos. People scramble around grabbing their bags, shoes, checking their cell-phone messages and then rush off. This is why I arrive early… not for the craziness – but to allow myself the time to settle and “arrive”

I go in and lay out my mat and sit in this long needed stillness, to help ground me from this “busy” day. Inhale, exhale as Trevor Halls new song “Who Am I” fills the room. This is serenity, this is where I needed to come, to be, to connect, go within. I have “arrived”.

The room is packed, yet silent… Peter sits at the front in silence with us all for a moment before we begin.

Before we start our practice Peter often offers a message or a reminder, depending on what point you are at on your journey. So this evening Peter has a mason jar in front of him and holds it up in the palm of his hand, arm stretched out. He asks aloud –

How much do you think this weighs?

Some answers are shouted “4oz”, “250g”, and so on. So here we begin with the beautiful lesson Peter shared with us…. I will try to simulate it the best I can.

The answer; 

The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long you hold it.

If you hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If you hold it for an hour, you’ll have an ache in your arm.

If you hold it for a day, your arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes.

The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early as you can, don’t carry them with you – remember to put down the glass!

After Peter was done sharing this beautiful analogy – I slightly bowed my head and smirked. Seems so simple, yet why do I lose focus of these life lessons?  That’s one of the many things I love about practicing yoga – you are constantly surrounded by these life lessons, reminders and ways to be the best you can be!

But, I understand not everyone enjoys yoga or is even interested in it – so if you are not willing to give it a try here are some other suggestions on how to calm your mind and “set down the glass”:

• Meditate
• Breathe – take a few moments and focus on breath
• Write in a journal
• Take time for yourself – do what makes you happy
• Get active! Go for a walk, run, workout, etc.
• Find a passion- draw, paint, anything you can lose yourself in.
• Talk to a friend or family member
• If it’s a negative thought – replace it with a positive one
• Practice self compassion
• Notice internal judgements
• Distance yourself from negative energy or people

What is your best way to clear your mind?

Share it with others… leave us a comment 🙂

With Love & Gratitude,

Nikki