My word, or intention, for 2022 was Space. When I set “space” as my yearly intention, I wasn’t quite sure what that meant, what that would look like, or how it would play out. But the word kept coming to me during my meditations and reflections, so I went with it.
For 7 years, I have shown up on my yoga mat as a dedicated practitioner. Through my continual learning as both a student and teacher, I have discovered much more about the practice of yoga that happens OFF the mat. In the beginning, I built awareness and connection to Self on my mat, and then brought that awareness and connection off my mat and into my relationships and experiences. I began to better understand that what I practice on my mat, I get better at, on and off the mat. I would often bring to my mat what I lacked off my mat, setting intentions, cultivating, and practicing. My mat has been and is my safe space, and I have used my yoga mat like a therapy session often, showing up wanting something, needing something, using the asana to balance me, center me, help me be more patient and so on. I’ve realized that all too often, I have showed up lacking, wanting something from my practice, instead of bringing something to it. Have I been doing the same thing off my mat?
It has become abundantly clear, that the most important part of my yoga practice in 2022 took place off my mat. I made the effort to cultivate my intentions and practice yoga off my mat, in the space of the other 23 hours of the day. Too often, I’ve not been the dedicated practitioner off my mat as I have been on my mat. There is a lot of space, there is that word again, for my practice off the mat, and a lot of space for improvement!
The definition of space is the unlimited or incalculably great 3-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur. It is a place available for a particular purpose. Example-a parking space. Space is an interval of time. It is freedom to express oneself, be alone, allowance, understanding, non-interference. As I contemplated the meanings of space, and what that might look like, I was reminded that there was an extraordinary amount of space for me to be in the practice of yoga OFF my mat this year.
So how well did I cultivate my intention of space? I brought my yoga practice into the space between action and reaction, and between stimulus and response. I wasn’t quick to respond to things that needed to be thought through, and I felt calmer and more confident when making important decisions. I wasn’t hot-headed or hasty. I brought space for my thoughts and feelings, space for purposeful pauses, space in silence and space between talking to God and listening while in prayer. I gave a lot of space to grief. I simply tried to be in the space of being and less doing. It had a grounding and calming effect on me and a magnetic, contagious effect on others. I brought my yoga practice into the space between joyous moments, milestones, holidays, and vacations. I lived in the present, not just for the “big” events, and I approached each day as an opportunity to be in the practice of living according to how I wanted to show up for myself and others, aligned with my way of being. There was so much space to be in the practice of yoga! I created more space to listen, to understand, to be quiet and present, to acknowledge, to be grateful, to allow myself to feel spacious and free. This space was glorious because I witnessed the effects and affects that it had on those around me-family, friends, and yoga students. The feedback I have received this year from those sharing in my space has had a permanent impact on how I create my way of being moving forward! And of course, I made space to write my story and am nearing the end of completing my first manuscript and becoming a published author!
Before you applaud my efforts and success, know that I have also greatly failed this year in cultivating my intention of space. I lost a close friendship over a misunderstanding. I had days of self-righteousness and moments where I just wasn’t in line with who and how I wanted to be. I had challenges that resulted in self-pity and self-consumption. I had obstacles to overcome that shed light on my high expectations of self and others. I lashed out at the person that loves me the most when I was scared, worried and feeling helpless. I bit my tongue, because it was easier, during times when I should have used my voice. I took things personally, A LOT. Patience was not my virtue. I worked tirelessly on not being frustrated, disappointed and deflated, yet I often was still those very things. I created my own discontent more often than I am willing to admit.
Space. Such a great word, such a great intention. So, did I succeed or fail in 2022? I believe, if I grew, learned, and discovered, then I succeeded. So, 2022, cheers to my success, my growth, and my new-found wisdom. Thank you for the word, the intention, space. It will forever be part of who I am and my way of being. Space gave me opportunity this year to be a better me, to see where I needed more work, and to be abundantly grateful for my many, many blessings. Overall, my intention of “space” for 2022 was a success. Though I could have done better, I remain a student of living yoga…
What is my word, my intention, for 2023? Well, I’ve been meditating on that this week and am still undecided. Sometimes they come to me early, and sometimes I need more time. Simplify has come up a few times, but I’m not sure if that is the word, or if that is leading me to the word…Stay tuned…I’m currently in the space of discovering my intention for 2023.
MaryBeth