How to Yoga - Dabbling in Duality
Good day, Steemians!
In order to eat, you have to be hungry. In order to learn, you have to be ignorant. Ignorance is a condition of learning. Pain is a condition of health. Passion is a condition of thought. Death is a condition of life. - Robert Anton Wilson
Yoga is very much about balance. I like it because it "powers up" my body, releasing a flood of chemicals that make me feel good and super charging me with self-generated electricity. It helps me dial down my aggression, anger, and competitiveness, while turning up my compassion, acceptance, and calm.
Life is about duality: if I didn't feel low sometimes, I couldn't appreciate the highs. If I didn't know darkness, how could I recognize light? Nonetheless, wild swings from one to the other are really exhausting - I've been there. Yoga helps me raise my vibration, so as a standard I'm happier and healthier, but it also evens out the natural dip and peak cycle of my moods as well. I don't crash and burn like I used to; when I'm getting down, I remind myself to yoga a little harder. It has pulled me out of some serious shit, and I give thanks that I know such a powerful tool!
That said, I'm still practicing. Sometimes I prefer to tell people to fuck the fuck off, but that's not always appropriate given that I live in community and our success is dependent on each other. I'm still honing my fiery, destructive side; even this can be used for the greater good when wielded correctly. It's a work in progress.
All in all, my Jedi training is going well. Here are photos from my journey to remind myself where I come from, where I'm at, and where I'm going:
Unfortunately I don't know the name of this artist; the image has been in my files for a loooong time.
💛 Sara!
Giving thanks feels great, so I'm going to do it some more:
- Thank you to the guides who have taught me so much along my journey. All of my yoga teachers have illuminated the path for me, but none more so than @quinneaker who literally lives and breathes yoga without any "formal" training - it is amazing to witness! Part of his brilliance lies in clarity and his ability to present profound topics in concise, simple forms. He explained terms like "mental posture" in ways I could understand. He has elevated my perspective beyond the best scenario I could imagine on countless occasions! I'm grateful to learn from his stellar life example every day.
- @everlove - I couldn't (and wouldn't!) do any of this without you. Thanks for being with me, or for letting me be with you!
- Thanks Mom and Dad...you don't think you read this, but whatever. I'm glad to be alive, so thanks for that gift!
The Indian instrument "tabla" consists of a male and a female drum. So the tradition contains elements of the Shiva/Shakti idea you mention in your article.
Here is a one of my favorite songs from the band "Shakti" with the unwieldy title "What need have I for this, what need have I for that.......I am dancing at the feet of my Lord......all is bliss"
This is really great! I can feel the presence and bliss 💛
I will definitely be looking into more tabla music to accompany my yoga practice - thank you so much for sharing!
I didn't put in music! Realistically I'm all over Trevor Hall right now, but here's something for variety:
Polish Ambassador - Let the Rhythm Just ft. Mr Lif & Ayla Nereo
Seems your favourite pic is a card from the Eli Tarot, representing Shiva / Devil / Horus / Capricorn Thoth Key 15 (Great Article!)
I haven't seen a Tarot deck with this imagery for that card - would love to see more in this style.
Like Yin and Yang, you must have balance
Truth!
Awesome post , I truely love your last image ! Its Beautiful! Thanks so much for shareing ! Steem on! ♨👍😉♨
Steem OM ૐ
Cussing is a favourite of mine too!
It's so expressive!
It's the expressiveness that keeps on giving! :-D
Fuck yeah!
Lovely. Thanks!
Thank you! I appreciate the resteeming!