This is a very interesting Sanskrit word. It refers to the quality of being innate and natural; to naturalness and the ease that can come with it. But in the context of our yoga practice, What is natural? What is innate?
Something that feels natural to do may not bring ease. It may be something we are just used to doing. During yoga practice, when we strengthen the legs, we may habitually press the knees back. We rely on the joints rather than engaging the muscles appropriately. This may feel natural and familiar, but it is not necessarily beneficial.
On the other hand, what is innate in all of us is the capacity for awareness. Easefulness arises when we learn to act from awareness without unnecessary interference. When we do a pose, we may engage our muscles more than is required or hold our breath. These actions can diminish our sense of ease.
This week, we are invited to explore easefulness in our yoga practice by recognizing the effort each pose requires and letting go of what is unnecessary. As we become more aware of how we act, we can learn to move with greater naturalness, allowing ease to emerge even when the practice is challenging.
I look forward to seeing you in class.
Breathe easy,
Blessings,
Jorge Nihāl
sahajatā, Easefulness
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