Yoga, Health, and Wellness Articles + Recipes

Yoga, health, wellness, and recipes from YogaDownload.com

Sure Footing

On October 18, 2013 in General by Dana Damara

We are an interesting breed…we humans. Often we surround ourselves with things that make us feel secure in this ever-shifting world.

And we all do it… no one is exempt. We find a community to contribute to and lean on; a job to receive financial energy from; a home to root into and spread out our stuff in; a partner to ‘complete’ us, and material items to call our own.

The funny thing is, when anything in that “stable environment” goes away, starts to crumble or falls apart, we turn to something to replace it with. Another community, another job, another home, another partner and more material items. We may even look to varying healing modalities to get to the ‘root’ of our issues.

And while some of this can be temporarily helpful, the truth is we are multi-dimensional beings and we must search deeper for the answers we seek. But when change comes our way, we tend to go down the same path because we forget that we are spiritual beings living a human experience and quite frankly, it’s just easier to do the same thing over and over again.

No one is exempt…not even the most ‘enlightened’ yogi. A few things I want to share with you as you embark on any transformative journey: (because you will if you haven’t already… it’s inevitable)

• You really DO create what you want. It’s ALL about your perception of reality. So ask yourself… what DO you want?

You do get to pick. If you sit long enough, visualize clearly enough, write down your desires and then take those thoughts out into the world, it WILL come to you. And it will come to you swiftly. As swiftly as you allow it to that is. AND depending upon how many times you block it with your past thoughts, behaviors and patterns. Maybe it’s time to try something new.

• Before you step forward… look behind you.

Your past is important. Spend just enough time there to UNDERSTAND, or at the very least RECOGNIZE, your patterns of behavior. You can only manifest what you desire after you look at your patterns and realize that YOU are what is holding you back. No outside circumstance or person holds you back… it’s all you. Trust me on this one. Same behavior equals same results.

• Understand that all these ‘things’ that you surround yourself with, do NOT hold the answers. The answers come in stillness. Period.

Just know that nothing, not one single material item, person, perceived stable solution will move you forward. The ONLY way for forward motion to happen… forward motion into expansiveness that is… is if you realize your strength is within. It’s who you are. It’s how you stand and how you breathe. It’s how rooted you are no matter what shows up for you on any given day, in any given moment.

So ask yourself… who are you? What do you stand for? Can you feel that internal strength and connection with all that IS root you into the Earth?

Here’s how we play with this in yoga.

Bandhas.. breath… internal gaze.

Allow your roots to dig deep beneath your feet. Notice that YOU root deep, all on your own. Feel your breath circulate through your body within that stable base and understand that that is the catalyst of forward motion…with a firm foundation. And then most of all… exercise that internal gaze.

Do not be fooled by external influences, thinking they will move you forward or keep you rooted. I can tell you, from experience… the BEST way to find your footing on this planet and your place in this world, is to strip it all away. Be with nothing… I mean it… nothing. Be with you and you alone. No community, no home, no job, no partner, no material items. Just you. If only in your mind…if only for a moment.

What will you find?

Once you get past the fear of being alone, not being accepted, hurt or judged; once you get past all those old voices telling you all those statements that mean nothing to you, you will find You. This amazing, strong, bright light that isn’t clouded with fear, judgment, material items and old ideas. It’s you… poised, ready and full of purpose, power and passion.

By Dana Damara

“My passion on the mat is proper alignment, powerful breath and effortless flow so you feel that off your mat. Your practice becomes sacred space where you arrive to find more meaning, depth, authenticity and integrity in your life. “

- Dana Damara: mother, author, yoga instructor, speaker and yogini. Visit www.danadamara.com