Last night someone cried after my yin yoga class.
I held her in my arms, her teardrops big and heavy falling on my shoulder. I hugged her closer in, her back shook heavily in my arms as she cried harder.
She told me later, “I’ve restrained myself for too long. I needed this.” Never had I knew the power of yin practice until recently. Friends and students who came for my yin sessions, I became closer with. We quietly leave the studio, opening up on feelings which we were not proud of, even at times avoiding to admit having.
There’s no need for fights, we just need to acknowledge what’s real.
In the darkness of a yin studio with flickering candle lights, soothing music and essential oils, we face the truths. We face the monsters that whisper to us our limitations and inadequacies throughout the day. These monsters—the monkey thoughts in our heads—they thrive in daylight but cower away when confronted.
Behind closed lids, sticking it out in stillness, notice the rise and fall of emotions inside. Look at yourself in the eye. Most of the time, any unpleasant feeling or irksomeness is a reflection of our very own weakness.
Sit through it, and accept. Acceptance is the first step to healing.
Last evening, my yin session was on love and gratitude. It was a wall-yin class, where most poses are supported by the wall. There were lots of pockets of silence to contemplate loved ones, support, the balance of giving and receiving, and more importantly, to be thankful for the highly-neglected gift we have—our breath and heartbeat—”to being alive”.
I did not ask why she cried. I don’t think we’ll ever meet again although I wish to. She’s leaving the country soon. But what I did tell her was that I have been there, shedding tears in yoga poses and yin-ing myself out sometimes, waking up to wet eyes and an open heart.
It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel alive.
All’s going to be just fine.
“I THINK THE BEATING IN OUR HEARTS WAS PUT THERE TO REMIND US THAT EVEN WHEN WE ARE ALONE IN THE WORLD, WE MARCH ON. THAT EVEN IN THE ENORMOUS DARK AND QUIET, WE ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE TO LEAN ON, TO EMBRACE AND TURN TO. THAT EVEN WHEN WE HAVE NO ONE ELSE, WE ALWAYS HAVE OURSELVES.”
― Beau Taplin, Buried Light
Image: www.starlightmuse.com
SHENAYOGA 