Recently, I’ve been in the practice of “shifting,” less so on my yoga mat, and more so off my mat. I refer to this often as shifting perspective.
To shift means to change, substitute or exchange, to move, or to get along by indirect methods. On our mat, shifting could look like a small adjustment in our feet, or pelvic tilt, adding more length, dropping the shoulders, or releasing tension. We shift by setting our gaze to one point, going from distraction to more focus and direction. We shift our breath by breathing more deeply or fully, or by adding a pause at the top of the inhale and/or bottom of the exhale, or by breathing into the chest or into the belly. We also have shifts in our thoughts, reactions, when we let go, persevere, or cultivate more empowering thoughts during class. We shift a lot on our yoga mats, creating more space, more depth, more sensation, and those small adjustments can completely change our experience in the poses.
But, what about off our yoga mat and in everyday life? Small shifts could look like smiling versus smirking, the way we speak or respond, when we pause, or letting go versus clinging. A shift could be in our time management or commitments, or a shift to be more forgiving, more positive, more grateful and complaining less. All these little shifts add up to who we are, how we show up for others and creates our way of being. Recently, I’ve had to create some shifts in my attitude and outlook, and how I talk to myself and see myself.
What small shifts can you make in your actions, speech and thoughts so that you are more in line with who you want to be, how you want to show up? Where can you create a shift in your yoga practice OFF your mat?
A small shift in perspective can change how we are received, can affect our relationships, and create a better way of being, not just for ourselves, but also an example for those around us. I’m encouraging you to notice where you can incorporate some small adjustments on your mat and some shifts in perspective in your relationships and daily life.
Things change, times change, we change. A shift in perspective will always help us navigate change.