Practice Grace to Be in the Flow

Practicing yoga as grace is a path to help us become more aware, to discover bliss at all times and realize. Realize who we really are. Embracing ourselves now, for who we are with no expectations of achievement, we can practice a graceful and joyful yoga. A union with our mind and body in a calm state and an even flow of breath and movement. Graceful movements are a result of awareness of mind with body. This means the movement is mindful. The eyes follow the body, the mind is present, the breath is smooth and slow, and the entire movement is slow, steady and graceful. This is the practice of yoga s a grace.

Practice Yoga as Grace in Your Asana Practice

We can practice this awareness as we do our Asana as well. Through our breath, our Dristi (yogic gaze) and the grace of our movement. Once our movement becomes too harsh, out of rhythm and either rapid or sluggish, we need to stop and refocus. While in a pose we can breathe and have a sense of joy even in difficult physical positions. Moving gracefully, like in a dance, steady, smooth movement without jerking. This will in turn allow for a flow of energy that slips out of the lips as they stretch towards the ears.

Our intention in Yoga, is creating a union for our bodies and mind. Surrendering to what is, however it is, creates space, space where the splendid unknown can appear and bring with it bliss. When there is no two, when there is no one, there is grace, a flow, a completeness, nothing lacking.

Yoga as grace is the ultimate practice of awareness and compassion. A surrender to the forces around us that are a part of the energy within us. May we practice with gratitude and delight.

Yoga as grace is not only graceful movement on the mat. That of course is priceless and reaps far greater benefits. However, yoga as grace is an attitude, a way of being.

We have many opportunities to practice and express this graceful attitude and awareness. The first step is the way we think. This flows into our speech and action. Slowing down the way we react and move, while keeping an attitude of 

“How was your practice?” This is the ultimate question one may hear, once they leave the  yoga shala (school) in Mysore, India. Standing outside the building, sipping on a coconut I heard one yogini tell the other: “The girl next to me rolled over onto my mat in parsva dhanurasana, and it really disrupts my flow”.

Opportunities to Practice Yoga as Grace

Sharing mat space when the class is over crowded, is not always what we wish for. Thus it requires extra awareness with our movement. Not only in ones own practice but also to have awareness of the surroundings. Of course, a just argument can be held for each practitioner; “There is no room, what else should I do?”. Or “Well I don’t know, but don’t put your sweat on my mat”. In any case, practice for the sake of practice, and for the sake of cultivating awareness and a sensation of bliss. One learns to cultivate compassion and receives great benefits and joy from seeing others happy.

Before the class begins, as a teacher, I sometimes sit quietly and let the students set up their mats. Then, I hear a loud sound of a mat hitting the floor. It is loud and startling.  Another common visual, is students tossing their mat down, or kicking it to roll it open.

Whatever method one chooses, it is of great practice to do it consciously and with respect. Finding respect and care to all things, from the mat to the clothes we wear. From the food to the toilet, all have an important role in our life. Practicing gratitude to all things helps bring a state of bliss on a daily basis.

Share the Grace

Can you relate to this article? Leave us a comment and let us know, how do you try and bring grace to your practice? Share this article with some friends who have a graceful practice and start a discussion!

Join us for a yoga retreat or yoga teacher training at Doron Yoga & Zen Center to learn more about your practice.

For more information on yogic theory and how to apply it to your everyday life, have a look at the Doron Yoga Manual. Everything you need to know about yoga in one place!

Blissful Living,

Doron