I’m not sure about this one because in my practice this morning all I could do was think, think and think some more about all these essays and articles and musings I wanted to write on this yoga practice of mine.  Every so often, I would remember that I was really supposed to be watching my breathing and that none of my bandhas were engaged and that my eyes were staring at an imaginary computer screen typing up another blog…  Not very yoga-like.

But then as the practice carried on, I realized something… yes my mind was super busy and sprinting around like a crazy chicken on cocaine (which was partly Ashtanga’s fault for getting me so excited about having interesting things to write!) but I also remembered that whenever you sit down to meditate a similar problem arises; while sitting calmly, a serene expression on your face, your breath easy and quiet, your mind will be off excitedly telling half your family and friends about what an amazing thing meditation is, how wonderfully relaxing it is, how much you just know it would benefit them and they have to try it…. that chattering, shrieking, hyper monkey-mind gossiping loudly and non-stop like nobody’s business and ruining your quiet meditation.

What to do?  The only thing you can do – every time this manic monkey pauses for a breath, take the opportunity to pull yourself back into the moment by connecting with your own breath, by feeling the strong locks of your mula bandha and uddiyana bandha, by focusing the eyes gently but firmly on their focus point; by returning to the here and now, via the body.

The yoga practice is always a mirror and in my opinion, there is no good or bad session – there is just the practice itself, showing you where you’re at in this moment.  And today, I was incredibly busy-minded, to the point that I made it through half my usual routine almost without realizing it.  But as much as I could, whenever I remembered, I pulled my attention back to the moment, to the pose I was in, checking in on my body (was she tense or relaxed, weak or strong, struggling or at ease, breathing deep or shallow, feeling light or heavy) and by the time I’d finished and lay down in Savasana, the cheeky monkey had quietened somewhat as he lounged back against the wall, hands behind his head, one leg crossed over the other, watching me curiously while I relaxed…

“So this yoga business, it’s pretty great isn’t it, but then again, there are so many other activities you can do that are just as good.  Maybe you should write an article about the benefits of combining loads of different things, you know, you could spend months researching and experimenting with different things, I mean just imagine how fit and toned you’d get with all of that-”

“SHUT UP!  For the love of God and all things good and kind, please, please shut up!”

He looks at me cynically, with one eyebrow raised.

“Nice, real nice.  Since when does yoga involve yelling at people?  Is that what it’s all for then, to blow your lid when someone annoys you?  To freak out at people who don’t even deserve it?  I was only trying to help you know…”

With a sigh, I try to tune him out, focus on my breathing and settle back into my body.  Because he’s right, you know.  Yelling at people – even imaginary monkeys – is not the point of yoga.  But observing your habit patterns that are played out in life and on your mat every day is the point.  Hopefully, the day will come when he might actually shut up of his own accord; til then, I’ll do my best to ignore the cheeky little bugger and not yell at him.  He’s only a cute, furry, cuddly, (noisy) little thing!

Love,

Ellie