The below passage/poem of sorts describes a few themes from my own journey on how Mindfulness + Yoga have helped me and why I continue to practice. Ive spoken to many people who have come to train further in the Mindfulness Programs I offer, who share their struggles of feeling like they cannot trust and they struggle with “letting go”. Trust and Letting Go are two of the Pillars of Mindfulness and like all of the other Pillars are interconnected. For me these concepts have very little impact as pure ‘theory’. In fact being told “just trust” or “just let go” can be disempowering or just plane piss people off without taking time to offer clarity into the core meaning of these pillars of mindfulness and how we actually integrate them as practice. I can relate to people who have come to me saying
“But I trusted and they did the wrong thing” or “I want to learn how to trust but my past experiences have told me otherwise. “I want to let go of the past so I can trust but I just don’t know how”
I shared the below post/poem which highlights the difficulty I have had finding a balance between “trusting” and being able to “discern” (or see clearly) This idea of “seeing clearly” that the yogis and meditation teachers often speak about takes work! It is the practice of learning to see life as it is not how you want it to be! Don’t fall into the trap of thinking just because you ‘think’ you trust that things will turn out the way they ‘should’ because surprise surprise not everyone has the same values as you do either! – not everyone values doing the ‘right thing’ not everyone values loyalty not everyone values honesty not everyone values being open!
As Ive mentioned Ive heard many Yoga Teachers and therapists say “Just TRUST” and I have said it too, however I think this particular Pillar of Mindfulness deserves clarification! Especially for those who have experienced events in their life that have given them reason not to “trust” . Finding a teacher that can help you discern between the “ideal” and what’s “real” is vital to help you progress along the path. My intention in sharing a little poem below is to help you with your practice and to remind you that there is so much more to “letting go” of your past and learning to “trust” than you ‘think’!
“It’s not your history but your presence on your mat that matters”
~ Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
If it is one thing that I will be forever grateful for is that Yoga has taught me to let go time and time again of that which has already passed.
Even with the ‘right’ intentions of bringing things to justice, an effort to help others and to make things right…
Yoga helps you realise what is and what is not worth the fight .
Yoga had a humbling way of bringing me to my knees, breath by breath it taught me to let go and be at peace.
I learned the present has so much more to offer me and the people in it whom I love.
The postures and the breathing helped me open my heart, trust and thank my lucky stars above.
Yoga helps me remember we can honour our past
because that’s how we learn
But do not dwell there or make it last
Instead start to discern!
A favourite quote “By all means trust but tie your CAMEL” teaches us
It’s not about learning to trust anyone else
You have your own experiences
So you learn to trust yourself!
Each time I lean back, I take a deep breath in
I make a conscious choice to value the lessons, which will support me from within
I do not get stuck on making the past be okay
I find the courage to exhale a breath and enjoy my day today
I match the opening of the body with one breath in , I linger in the pause, but I do not hold on
Sticking my mind back in the past is not where it belongs
I pluck up the courage empty the breath out and let it go!
I open up my heart in the hear and now and let my breath flow.
The past is never as powerful as this moment in time
Knowing it never will be! is another way to connect to the divine
Breathing in know that you are breathing in
Breathing out know that you are breathing out
Happy Sunday Namaste xox Tammy
Stay tuned for Tammys next blog on Tips for your Meditation Practice and key questions to ask when searching for a teacher or course.
Learn more about the other Pillars of Mindfulness and practical guided Meditations in our courses or private Mindfulness Mentoring Sessions with Tammy (in person or via Skype)
** We will be updating our FREE YOGA NRG APP with more free Mindfulness sessions soon!
- Introduction to Mindfulness Courses
- Mindfulness Correspondence Course (for those in remote areas)
- 4 Day Level 1 Mindfulness Coaching Course
- 4 Day Level 2 Mindfulness Coaching Course
- Personalised Mindfulness Consultations/Courses with Tammy via online + skype
(Visit our events calendar for various locations or request a course be run in your workplace, yoga studio or for a private group session)
EMAIL: support@yoga-nrg.com
PHONE: -0439 418 571
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Stay tuned as we are getting closer to the release date of our updated
** NEWS FROM YOGA NRG **
FREE MINDFULNESS MEDITATIONS WITH TAMMY to be uploaded on our Yoga NRG Mindfulness APP
Thanks to all of you who have sent in great feedback and requests wanting more Mindfulness and Audio Yoga Classes to be uploaded. Tammy has been recording her classes and guided Meditations and Courses over the last decade and we are in the process of getting the IT sorted to bring them to you all!
The current versions on our APP were recorded quite some time ago when Tammy first formally began delivering Mindfulness Introductory Courses back in 2007.
Since then Tammy has continued to study and receive formal certification in various other styles of meditation from world renowned teachers (and authors) during her time spent in Hawaii and the UK. (Sally Kempton is one of Tammy’s teachers and has been practicing and teaching meditation for more than forty years, and is a well respected teacher and former Swami of twenty years).
Tammy was fortunate to be amongst one of only two groups world wide to have completed formal Meditation Teacher Training with Sally and given ‘transmission’ and permission to teach. Previous to this Tammy has done formal training in MBCBT, MBRP and MBSR.
Tammy is very committed to maintaining continued professional development stay updated in evidenced based research to uphold her role as a Mindfulness Based Consultant to support clients with mental health, addiction and trauma related issues via various Mindfulness Based Modalities (such as MBSR, MBCBT, MBRP therapies)
Yoga NRG looks forward to tapping in to the many advantages that technology can offer us these days to be able to fulfil a long term vision of Yoga NRG to make Yoga + Mindfulness Training more accessible especially those in remote areas.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR FREE YOGA NRG APP allow push notifications and we will notify you when the new classes have been uploaded.
Namaste
