Tapping into the Core

Attended some classes with Sardie Nardini, a punky lady in a seek balck attire and her signature bangs. Despite all, she turned on rock music in the class--- not my favourite but i love her authenticity. I was in one session when she introduced " deep core line" ( that starts from our tongue)--- Are we talking about achieving six packs here? Nope! We are referring to the inner core strength, beyond the superficial muscles.

In a yoga term, "deep core line" is the activation of " moola bandha" ( root lock/lift).

For the next one hour, we were led into a flow of action; with constant pulsing of the pelvic floor muscles. Probably its the intensity of the practice, i somewhat felt something is flowing deeper into my core. An unexplainable feeling running along my digestive tract--- or even beyond that.

I am not sure if this was what the teacher meant; but i found myself being in a spot i've never before--- never gone so far deep before. It was amazing.
At the end of the session, assuming savasana ( relaxation), an exhalation releases all jailbirds---
an exhalation soften all clenched and guarded muscles as i sunk further into the core.
I teared again, its my second time during practices. i don't know why, or maybe i do... i did not bother to identitfy them one by one--- that's not all important when i decided to let them go altogether.

Its interesting, i felt i'd just travelled on the mat.

Yoga practices is not a practice by itself,  never a separation from our life. Its a union, whatever is happening on the mat, is happening to us and our world.

Checkmate!

Around at this time of my age, most of my ex- school mates and friends are out to the working society by now. Recently, in one of a meet up, one of them commented, " Oh... what is dream when we step into to the real world. We talk about being practical, dollars and cents."

I could have shut my both ears, nod and agree with her, given the choice she'd made for her future. But, somehow deep down, i don't want to swallow this idea down my throat and suffer any indigestion.

Do you still remember what's our ambition when we were still an innocent child? And somehow, during growing up, we were tunneled by the external influences to live according to the expectation of the others--- very commonly our parents, teachers and work superiors. 

When majority of the population enrolled into one course, we followed. When majority of the population are moving into a certain industry, we followed--- and thus, we chuck aside our so-called dream, and live off for pragmatism.

Gradually, we started to complain and lost the zest to work on. Lifestyle, character and work; when these threes qualities are operating in opposing direction--- that's when tension and unhappiness start.  

Where's the dream we used to dream? At the end of the day, it is how happy are we in person; not how to please and make others happy. How much have we benefited from the choices we made?

Moving through life decisions is like playing chess. Others have their own game to play, we have our own. Follow if we have to, lead if we must. Checkmate!

Yes, being very practical can give us big and fast returns. But, when the internal tension and piling up stress, how long can we sustain? Everything depreciates--- from job position to health and wellness.

Yes, chasing to do something we are good at and like-- may sound like a naive plan. Its a slow investment, and in person--- its an appreciation in value. What's more... its sustainable, for having the flair.

My childhood dream was to be a language teacher. I would play the teacher and my younger sis the students. Our classroom setting was the little kitchen--- using crayons and vandalised the surface of the fridge ( yup, my mum was in madness! ). Distributed "worksheets" and marked the"homework" with a red pen. And later, i had many opportunities to teach in the french-horn sections throughout my schooldays. I was diverted to other things for a while;
Very fortunately, i managed to move on into teaching till today. The subjects may have change, but the underlying enjoyment of sharing is always here.

Many people said that i'm just lucky to meet the right people--- but hey, i'd fight my way through to meet these great people. Don't be envious, i am not that impressive, i just want to be happy--- anyone of us deserves to be too!

Shraddha ( faith)--- Deeply & Strongly

Things which grow quickly are often more easily destroyed

 than those which takes a long time.

Big trees grow slowly,

yet strongly.

Deep rooted into the earth,

and reaching high towards the sky.

As the sutra goes:

Steadiness in the asanas is a practice to get firmness inside us.

Unmoving faith, mind, self-conduct and mind---

even in difficult times.