Sanctuary
With news in the air about our new studio, we have chosen the word “sanctuary” for Being Yoga’s theme of the month. At Being Yoga, our goal has always been to provide a sanctuary—a safe, peaceful and warm (figuratively and literally!) refuge—to our practitioners. We are still dedicated to that goal, and, in fact, we will be offering an even more inviting place, as mentioned above. Most importantly, however, our mission is to continue to provide a safe haven where students can come, let go of outside cares, and practice finding their own sanctuary within.
Each of us has a sanctuary inside. However, because of today’s fast-paced, hard-driving, often tumultuous world, it can be hard to access that place of peace. Too much of our day is spent listening to the chatter in our heads—chatter that often leads to anxiety, worry and fear. But through a regular practice of calming the mind, our own sanctuary becomes easier and easier to tap into.
One of the first precepts of yoga is calming the body and mind through the breath. The simple act of consciously taking slow, deep breaths almost immediately slows the heart rate, relaxes muscle tension, and soothes the mind. Focusing on the breath also allows us to become conscious of the “now.” One can not be worried about the future or fretting about the past when focused on the present. Yoga helps us to stay present through our breath and through the mindfulness necessary to hold the asanas, or postures. By practicing yoga on a regular basis, people become more and more familiar with staying focused and, therefore, more quickly capable of experiencing the calm—the sanctuary—that such focus brings. And accessing inner peace is like any other skill; the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
So, by discovering the peace that dwells inside and then learning to access it on a regular basis, yogis realize that no matter what external circumstances or environment they may find themselves in, they always have a sanctuary to turn to.