Focus

My monthly mother-daughter yoga class, which has  been oriented around a theme which represents one of the eight limbs of yoga to help achieve the connection with the higher self, yesterday had the theme of focus.   In exploring focus and concentration around using the breath to hold challenging positions, we discovered an interesting side note – that focus on one thing to the exclusion of the bigger picture can create problems.

One of the ways we were practicing focus was to keep the mind centered on the breath to help hold the postures, many of which were challenging as the yoga set was around abdominal strengthening.  In holding a pose, paying attention to the breath can help one rise above the distractions in the external environment, in the mind, and in the distractions coming from the body in the form of discomfort.  In fact,the power of the mind is equally as important as the strength in the body to hold the yoga pose or succeed in life – it is the mental focus that helps us stretch enough to sometimes get the job done. 

Yet I also believe and tell students that they need to pay attention to the cues from the body in order to stay within the space of doing their best and not more than their best.   Which means that there is a balance point to how far you can stretch yourself without negative results which arise from going beyond your capabilities.   And it is around this point that the interesting realizations showed up for people…how to blend the two concepts of focus to stretch and grow and the balance of listening to the big picture.

One mom was so focused on holding her breath that while she was able to hold the pose and get through it, she also became a little light headed because she was breathing so strongly.  It was an easy correction.  She simply took a break and then started the next exercise but it brought up a valuable talking point at the end.  Likewise, my daughter, in trying to focus on holding one pose longer in order to keep up with her friend, went beyond her limit in one pose and her back felt sore at the end.  Both cases represented, at least to me, a subconscious focus on an external expectation at the expense of being fully present and listening to one’s needs.

At the end of class we had time to share and reflect.  In talking about focus, it became clear to us all that single minded focus could be helpful but also had some serious side effects.  The general consensus was that focus is important but needs to be held within the balance of the big picture.  And one needs to clarify where to put the focus and the role that expectations play in setting the focus.  There are times when that absolute focus is needed for survival but there can be a cost to the short term. 

What’s your view on focus and your experience with the blend of concentration and balance?

Allowing the Best even when it’s “Imperfect”

I had a lovely opportunity this week to be reminded of the idea of doing my best in each moment even though it might seem “imperfect”.  I don’t truly consider myself a perfectionist but I admit to having some minor tendencies in that direction!  My clarification around this showed up in regards to marketing material I’m creating for my “Total Self Mastery” program which teaches individuals how to understand and use the language of the BodyMind in order to hear their inner wisdom and move them into the space of health and harmony (http://www.jamiedurner.com/tsm.htm).

I know what I teach.  I’m passionate about sharing the information and know the powerful results people gain.  But, while I may be well versed in the language of the BodyMind, I’m still developing my skills in the language of marketing…and I don’t have the passion for marketing like I do for my own work.  After being in a space of frustration and overload for about 24 hours, I realized I was making myself sick…literally.  I was experiencing tightness in my stomach, tension in my neck and shoulders, a headache, and a ramped up level of energy that felt manic and unsettling.  As usual, my physical cues allowed me to pause, take a deep breath, and step back to assess this mini hole I had dug myself into.

With the help of my two mastermind buddies, I was able to switch into the space of knowing I was doing the best I could for this moment, trust that the people who need to connect to my materials in this moment will, and open to allowing these marketing pieces to be a stage along my learning journey.  It is exactly the process I use in communicating with my BodyMind and how I view my personal journey of balance, so how funny that I was having some challenge putting this process into action within the sphere of marketing.

I knew I was on the right track when I read my morning yoga quote today by Yogi Bhajan who said, “Learn to listen to others and yourself quietly.  The moment you do not quietly listen to your own self, it is natural that you will become anxious.  Your strength is not in your wealth or your degrees.  your strength is only in how calmly, quietly and peacefully you can face the consequences.”

Another deep breath today followed by a yoga set for “Relaxation and Releasing Fear” and I am ready to face the consequences again…with a lighter heart, a calm stomach, and an ease in my body.