predator and prey
The class before my 6 o'clock Hatha and after it were full, but mine was just me, the nerdy sunshine instructor, an observing instructor to-be, and a woman. Who knows why, weird things always happen around holidays when people are off work early, traveling, meeting up with family or friends, etc.
We moved our mats closer together since our class was so small. The intimacy of a small class relies heavily on the openness of the leader. Without it, you can have some awkward or just long sessions.
She started us in more restorative poses to begin the process of opening our inner thighs and heart. One pose required us to sit sideways and lean over the bolster and block props stacked upon each other in an effort to twist ourselves and warm up our muscles gently. Without realizing what was happening, the friendly observing teacher to-be approached me as I stretched into the pose and started to assist me. She carefully placed her hands gently on my back and pressed firmly in opposing directions to enhance my stretch.
I can honestly say that I was caught off-guard. It was only a half a second that I began to allow myself to feel distracted by this different experience, but I immediately silenced the trail of that thought and embraced the energy she was sharing with me.
Before this project, I don't know if I would have had the same reaction to the crossing of a physical boundary by someone I had just met. Which led me to reflect on the closed-off mentality that I was practicing almost automatically.
The constant need for protecting oneself still pumps through us on a daily basis as if we feel the same intense threat of a lion chasing us (so eloquently put by the sunshine instructor during one of her inspiring rambles this evening). In our world, our stress comes not from lions, but from traffic, deadlines, bills, pressure, perfection, and on and on. The way we "protect" ourselves in physically closing off our body from the outside world: crossing your arms, rounding your shoulders, crossing your legs, dropping your chin lower, etc.
Before yoga class today, I was blessed with some quality time loving on my nephews and hanging with my brother. My adorable 5 year old nephew requested that I turn on Zootopia for him as his sleepy eyes looked up at me while he laid on his stomach so that I could keep scratching his back - he likes the way it makes him feel. Of course I complied.
1) Zootopia is amazing.
2) He's adorable.
The opening scene depicts the animalistic history of the "scary" predator's uncontrollable desire to attack and devour the "meek" prey. However, it is no longer like that and all animals live in harmony where any "predator" or "prey" can live in peace and pursue a calling of their choice. Of course, as the story goes (no spoilers, see it if you haven't!) there are still underlying prejudices that the plot line portrays and addresses throughout the film.
We must understand and accept this basic instinctive reaction so that we can combat it if we want to really live in a manner that provides opportunity to experience life in a community with others. When we actively practice physical manners of opening ourselves, the spiritual, emotional, and mental counterparts follow along as your engage each one while moving your body to model the openness you seek.
Viewing intimate interactions as a threat is the best way to isolate oneself and close opportunities before they have the chance to occur. Try instigating an interaction or embracing the next time a person steps into your bubble. Make the choice to open up your world so that you stop being an onlooker and start participating.