Loosen Your Grip: A Reminder to Chill Out
I visited Kripalu: Center for Yoga and Health last weekend. Upon arrival one cannot help but slow down. Everything moves slowly and intentionally there. Slowness is so highly valued there that when someone rushed past me on the way to a class she apologized profusely for her speed. It made me laugh because it is the opposite in NYC where people apologize for moving too slowly. Being encouraged to go slowly, naturally calms your nervous system. I immediately became more connected to my body and my breath. I began to notice the beauty of my surroundings, I was more friendly with strangers and the food tasted better.
The Rest & Relaxation program at Kripalu offers an array of classes throughout the day. When I reviewed the options before I arrived, I created a loose plan of what I thought I would want to do. However, when I arrived and slowed down, my preferences changed. I took a meditation class at noon instead of a dance class because I was feeling like I needed to be still. Then at night I took a high energy dance class instead of a restorative yoga class because I felt like I needed to move. When I paid attention, I noticed I needed both movement and stillness in my day but at different times than I had anticipated.
After I returned home, I took an online yoga class with my favorite yoga and writing instructor Anna Guest-Jelley who shared this quote:
“We don’t let go when we have found every answer. We don’t let go when we finally arrive at every reason, every purpose. We don’t let go when we understand every bit of meaning behind everything we’ve ever been through. We let go when we realize we do not need to know everything in order to loosen our grip on life.” - Brianna Wiest
Being at Kripalu reminded me that presence is the best way to live with our unpredictable lives. Kripalu allows you to loosen your grip, tap into where you are in that moment and make thoughtful choices. Kripalu allowed me to soften. Feel safe. Feel connected. Decisions felt more intuitive and less forced. I was making choices based on what I needed in that moment rather than what I assumed I would want. And while these choices were pretty low stakes, it was a good reminder. How often do we make choices out of habit, or based on external pressure? Slowing down, breathing, connecting with your body can break those cycles.
It’s one thing to land in softness while on a retreat and it is another to continue this intention once you return home. But just being there reminded me of value of slowing down. I can bring a little Kripalu home with me by continuing to include gentle yoga in my day, noticing my need to rush unnecessarily, I can focus on loosening my grip and letting things happen more often. Kripalu is a re-set, a reminder. Now it is up to me to find opportunities loosen my grip on the daily. To embrace uncertainty. And to live life with more connection, intention and openness.
Are you looking for opportunities to connect with yourself? To push out the noise, the “shoulds” and the external expectations? Set up a discovery call with me to see if I can help move you forward.
