I’m feeling good today. We are in escrow on a house, and while anything could still happen, I decided to trust and take a moment to celebrate and reflect. How did we manage to accomplish this – in a crazy market? For me, the answer seems to lie in yoga principles and it is about learning to say no.
I used to be addicted to stretching. Stretching or reaching or expanding on the mat can be seen as a metaphor for saying yes to life: saying yes to the universe, yes to sharing our gifts, yes to our intention.
When I came across the yoga principles alignment-based that I eventually fell in love with, trained in, and co-created Ma Yoga from, my teachers encouraged me to back out of the stretch and use more of my strength.
Instead of just opening in all directions, I learned to open along specific vector lines in the body. I learned that by stabilizing certain muscles, I was able to free up other ones.
I was learning to resist, I was creating boundaries, I was standing strong. In a way,
I was finally saying “no” to life and these yoga principles expanded into the rest of my life.
Now, I try to say “no” to everything that doesn’t have the energy I want for my life, and for my business or my family. I say “no” to attitudes and perspectives within me that don’t put me in my most powerful, loving, and wise self.
And I say “no”, whenever possible, to houses and jobs and relationships that don’t help me feel at peace. Even if I have no idea what other options – if any – may arise, now I try and stand strong and say “no”.
I am finding that saying “no” opens up space for the universe to offer gifts we literally can’t imagine.
In Sanskrit, this practice is called “neti, neti“, which is often translated as “not this, not that.” It’s actually a mantra meditation you can do anytime: just close your eyes, and softly repeat “neti neti” (sounds like neti pot) as a loving response to every thought that arises. This powerful meditation will put you in a space of knowing that there is always more to us, and life, and possibility than what is in our awareness right now.
And Mama, get on your mat this week – practice yoga principles to manifest more goodness in your life by saying “no” with your body to everything except what your heart is saying a resounding “YES” to!
Click here to book your first free class with Ma Yoga!
