July Newsletter: Stability

All Humanity Newsletter | July 2022

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Greetings...

Stability & Slower Speeds

A sense of stability is not so easy to come by these days. It certainly isn’t coming from our society. I can honestly say, I never expected that the foundations of our democracy would come under such dire threat so quickly and so deeply. I thought our society was more stable than this. Incredibly, the future of our democracy is not the only pressing issue. We are facing environmental, social, and economic crises as our ability to engage in rational, public discourse has collapsed. Our leaders are failing us. The media is failing us.

This month's newsletter theme is about the creation of stability. It does not arise from having the ‘right’ set of beliefs. It does not arise out of conflict. It is an experience, a sensation in both mind and body. Stability is necessary for our minds to function properly.

I offer a few suggestions for a daily practice. Stability is rarely achieved by moving faster….so slow down sometimes. Sit and let your head be empty sometimes. Notice the quiet in the room you’re in, even when there is sound. Create a lightness in the center of your chest and reflect it in a smile. Notice how the sun recedes across the ground at sunset, how the wind plays a tree’s leaves like a musical instrument or the sound of rain hitting upon the roof. Remember something that is easy to forget: love and gratitude happen at slower speeds…so do amazing hugs.

I am not suggesting all these things just so you feel better. It's more than that. Stability is necessary to keep our eyes open to what’s actually happening. Stability is necessary to think for yourself, to discriminate fact from fiction, and not simply believe what you are told. The stability of our minds is necessary for the continuance of our democracy and to deal with the pressing issues before us. Most importantly, stability is how we find each other again.

In the pose of the month, Mary Pat is going to suggest that feeling joy is an essential component of stability. Damn, that sounds like a good idea…keep reading!

Matthew

Matthew Sanford

Founder, Mind Body Solutions

Pose of the month...

Stability

“ When the chest is opening, the mind is opening, and we feel emotionally shiny and stability comes.

~ Vanda Scaravelli

During times of adversity, our minds and bodies, nature, and our entire livelihoods may experience instability. In such periods, it’s a good idea to get barefoot, ground oneself, get bigger in space, and soften the heart. Krista Tippet, in her recent On Being Celebration podcast, said we must treat joy as non optional as it is life giving, resilience making, and our human birthright. At MBS we have to look no further than our adaptive students as role models in circulating joy. Their example is a profound lesson in the gifts of holding one another up and claiming joy.

Sit or stand in a comfortable stable position and ground down. To your ability, lengthen the spine and allow the head to feel buoyant, balanced over the neck and shoulders. Smile while softening the jaw. Broaden across the lifted collar bones, and from the center of the sternum extend the arms horizontally out to the side, palms facing down. Hug the bottom corners of the shoulder blades in towards the spine, then lengthen from the center of the elbow through the wrists. Keep grounding through the feet and/or sit bones while the body expands in multiple directions. Allow in the body’s sensations of stability, wholeness, and contentment. Exhale, bring the arms down, relax.

Options:

Explore different arm/body positioning, make the pose playful. Notice the effects in the body and mind
Sit or stand in a hallway or similar space, simultaneously extend the arms to the sides and press one palm into each wall for a few moments, then release. Does the boundary create extension or expansion? Experiment with gently pressing the fingertips/forearms/elbows into the armrests of a chair/wall/etc.
From the backside, have a partner briefly give light support at the wrists, elbows, or upper arms, then release. Repeat without a partner and recognize the impact of each option.

Benefits:

Promotes confidence, attention, and it is invigorating
Strengthens the back, shoulders, and arms; creates space in the spine, side body, chest, and back
Exploring this pose opens one up to the experience of stress relief, amusement, and joy

Mary Pat

Mary Pat FitzPatrick

MBS Teaching Faculty/Outreach Coordinator

On the Radar...

Upcoming Workshops for students and teachers

YOGA, DISABILITY, & TRANSFORMATION

FINDING THE MIDLINE

SEPT 6 / 2PM Central Time

“Keeping your head” is a crucial skill when dealing with the challenges of living with a disability. We all have been battle-tested by outlandishly difficult situations, and we all carry the scars to prove it. But how do you learn to “keep your head” or stay “centered.” Surely, it requires more than an act of will. The body can help. Finding and utilizing the midline within your body is not only an important skill when doing yoga poses, but also as a powerful means to center your mind. Come join this interactive, community conversation and hear or share stories of battles survived while also learning to access your midline in both yoga poses and the rest of your life.