Morning Practice: opening your own practice

Brittaney Herbertson
Jan 30, 2019
2 min read

When the teacher says "now, observe your thoughts" what are you actually doing may I ask.. Are you trying to bring to life this image (in your mind) of your mind in two parts..? Part one is thinking about what part two is doing (it's thinking by the way)?

A under-5 minute video talking about the mind and a few rounds of breathing together. This is an example of how you start your practice when you begin with shape 1 from my for-real morning yoga practice.

When I hear a teacher say "observe your thoughts" I find myself in this life long battle, it seems, of one side of my brain fighting to 'observe' while the other side of my brain 'thinks.' When I try to calm myself and unite the duo, I realize I am simply thinking. and therefore not observing. And in all honesty for me to step away from thinking and observe the only route I've ever known to work is to join forces with my breathe. I use my thoughts to repeat the words 'inhale' and 'exhale' and because the words are literally what I am doing, I find this place where I am no longer torn between the two sides of my brain (yin and yang) I am in the space between. And that space... that space isn't like any real estate on the inflated market these days.

Okay, but that challenge is different than the challenge presented when there is no teacher in the room. When you are at home and the slightest drip sound or dog hair distracts you (I actually changed cat to dog, i'm so torn between if i'm a cat-person or a dog-person... the challenge!!!!) Back to Yoga... The slightest distraction when you are trying to practice at home makes this idea of "starting" or centering seem like it will never happen to our expected satisfaction and so we avoid the discouraging experience and tell ourselves we'll start another time "when ... is done/paid off, then it will be easier" ...

No it won't. You already know that though... I just feel sassy telling it to your face, with love.

Start with this video and embrace the teacher that is within yourself!! If a person you don't really know that well can guide you to notice the mind, imagine what the only thing you have known your whole entire life, yourself, can lead you too...

Use the above quick 5 minute video as a guide. Listen to me talk while you stand in silence and start practice... Then, when those few breaths together are finished... do a few more with silence or the music of your choice... (while writing, i'm listening to this youtube healing music).

However you start your practice, my hope is that you breathe. That you take the time to notice the thoughts and learn how to turn the volume down... I hope you practice today and if the opportunity presents itself, to go to practice.

With love,

Brittaney