I have people call about yoga all the time who want to know if it will make them stronger. Or, just recently, one of my students was attending another exercise class when everyone noticed how strong she was, she said she does yoga. That brought a student from that class to my studio seeking stronger abs. There is no doubt that when you are physically strong, you are better able to handle the demands of your day with grace and ease. But my job is to teach my students that practicing yoga can build inner strength-the kind you need to ride life’s emotional currents with faith and equanimity-even as it tones their body.
Gary and I have been getting a rental of ours ready to sell. A couple of Saturdays ago we were scraping and painting the trim, when it came time to paint the highest part, that part that is at the very peak of the roof, Gary tried to hang over from the roof thinking it would be easier than standing that high on a ladder. He realized right away that was way too scary. Our 15 foot ladder wouldn’t reach either, so we put it in the back of the truck to give it a boost, does this give you an idea of how high the roof is? Gary’s nervous system was already on edge from hanging over the roof, so I opted to go up, not because I was less scared, but because I trusted Gary holding the ladder for me more than I trusted myself holding the ladder for him. And like in a yoga pose if there is fear, you will fail. I knew that whoever went up had to ride that current of equanimity, I was terrified, but I was sure I could do it. My instruction to Gary was DO NOT TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE LADDER!! (That is the pitta in me)
There was a moment when the ladder started to shake, I thought Gary was being funny, I yelled at him to “STOP IT!” (that is also the pitta in me) right away I knew he wouldn’t do that, knowing how afraid I was. At that moment I realized I had lost my equanimity. I brought my awareness back to the present moment and calmed my mind and breath. It was my rapid breathing from fear that caused the ladder to shake. Once I calmed my breathing the shaking stopped.
A few days later my knee started to hurt, when your knee hurts, it means you can’t move forward emotionally. You're darn right I couldn’t move forward (up the ladder). I say it all the time. Every pain and illness we have starts with a trauma (yes I was traumatized) and the emotional stress brings on the physical pain.
One way to build inner strength is by practicing yoga regularly, whether you're feeling inspired or not. That simple act develops your capacity for commitment and for not letting the rest of life get between you and what you know to be essential to your well-being. By being true to yourself in your yoga practice, you enhance your ability to be true to yourself in other situations as well.
Yoga is what grounds me, it is what gives me that inner strength that I need to ride life’s emotional currents with faith and equanimity.
Nancy Adams Certified Thai Yoga Therapist
and Ayurveda Consultant
These are my own thoughts. I sometimes take writings from others to support my own ideas.
