Relax Your Grip

Whatever you’re working toward or hoping for—relax your grip. When you try too hard or hold too tightly, you end up pushing the things you want further away. Imagine a tightly closed hand. It’s full of resistance and repels with its clenched nature. Though a soft, open hand is able to receive.

It’s similar in yoga practice.

When you try too much, there is no yoga. When first learning handstand, I was gripping too much. I realize now how much of it (possibly all) was in my thinking. I believed it was hard, so it was. Once I focused on my breathing, building on a stable foundation of course, I felt a sense of calm and steadiness in the asana.

The same is true in daily life.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, pause and connect to your breathing. Even in your busiest moments there’s always time to enjoy a few deep breaths and recenter. Try lengthening your exhales to ground and calm your nervous system. Remember, when you steady the breath, you steady the mind. Simply return to your breath.

“Simple practices like conscious breathing and smiling are very important. They can change our civilization.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

Ready to learn a personalized meditative yoga practice? Join Ashtanga Yoga Classes in our welcoming community based in St. Paul, MN.