Yoga and Values: Satisfaction #10

Every person has certain values ​​that are important to them and by which they live. In our series we want to introduce you to the values ​​of our society and our coexistence through yoga teachers. Today with Barbara from Stadecken-Elsheim, with the value:

Contentment (Samtosha)

This is what Wikipedia says:

Contentment is being internally balanced and not asking for anything more than what you have; and to be in agreement with the given conditions, services or similar, and to have nothing to complain about .

Yoga in everyday life

Yoga while cooking, yoga while cleaning, yoga when the children are going through puberty, yoga when the bus is late, yoga at work – what should that look like? How can practicing downward dog positively impact my personal life? What does Vashistasana have to do with my job? And how does prevention help me deal with the strange habits that pubescent boys produce? And if the bus is late, should I make the tree and it will be quicker?

There is no short answer to these questions, but there is a detailed one. On the one hand, this has to do with yoga philosophy. And it has to do with what we experience when we feel limits and challenges in our yoga practice.

Accepting everyday life with humor is satisfaction

In yoga philosophy, the Niyamas are a collection of rules of behavior that contain recommendations for dealing with yourself. Among others, the principle of Samtosha, contentment, can be found here. We achieve contentment when we live in peace with ourselves and the world around us. And we get it if we live in such a way that we give every event and all its consequences meaning in our lives. Applying this principle to severe strokes of fate is an incredible challenge. But perhaps this principle can be applied to small obstacles in everyday life. Then it could also have an impact on a larger scale and help us in difficult situations.

It is important to see meaning in all “menial” work. We learn to give meaning to every “annoying” move. We try to react to the absurd statements of a pubescent with humor and love and to accept a change in the schedule as something that cannot be changed. And we know that any anger about this is pointless and will in no way make the bus come any faster. Of course, satisfaction does not immediately make us “satisfied” with the nonsense of everyday life. But she lets us accept it. Sometimes I was even grateful that the annoyingly direct manner of one of my sons showed me how narrow-minded I actually was. This was a win for more than one person!

Accept boundaries

But yoga doesn't just have this philosophical perspective to offer. Asanas, i.e. the physical practice of yoga, also allow us to feel firsthand what reaction we have to difficulties or apparent problems. There's a lot more besides anger or excitement. It's not uncommon for us to fall over if we've had the wrong day for balancing or if our muscles aren't yet up to the challenge. It is not uncommon for us to feel pain that goes beyond a “comfortable stretch”. Then our body cannot yet carry out the movement our mind desires. And perhaps envy arises if the neighbor on the mat leans much deeper. We know exactly that we could have done that yesterday, but not today!

Our body gives us feedback in a variety of ways about something that our mind is overwhelmed by. Then we should listen to him as our most important teacher. If we don't do this, we feel the consequences - we hurt ourselves. Then at this point we should learn surrender to what is and gratitude for our awake and sensitive body. Sometimes it's a subtle pulling, other times it's a tangible and permanent herniated disc or torn tendon. And she says: “You went too far, it didn’t have to be that way, it didn’t help!”

Take satisfaction from the mat into everyday life

Through a mindful yoga practice and lived inner satisfaction, we find a possible way to integrate yoga into everyday life. When we get up from the mat, we know how much it has brought us to breathe and smile through a mental or physical low. We let the leg sink a little lower instead of trying to lift it higher. We know we can respond to a request with humility and dedication rather than impatience or ambition. This may not change the outcome, but our inner attitude becomes positive and benevolent. At the same time, we also know (or we learn over time) that exactly the same strategies, namely accepting and breathing through it (and maybe just not reacting to the other person's unnecessary comment for three minutes!) would be just as important beyond the yoga mat .

And of course the bus will come faster if we stand in the tree. Because if I understand Einstein even halfway correctly, time passes much more quickly when I do something I enjoy!

Yoga for more satisfaction: the tree

By the way, the tree is an asana that you can actually practice in so many different forms that you are guaranteed to be able to do one to your satisfaction today: Rather modestly, you can place your leg below the knee on your calf. For significantly unstable days, place your toes or tiptoes on the base or on the floor. If you want to challenge yourself, you can do a slight backbend, lean sideways with your leg bent, or even close your eyes. And the classic with the air base firmly connected to the supporting leg feels really good and centered, even without any frills. Enjoy your tree for a few breaths, feel your satisfaction in your individual form for this moment. Switch sides, stand, breathe. And look forward to perhaps aligning yourself completely differently at the next opportunity.

Namaste!

Would YOU like to share your thoughts on a value in our society related to yoga? Then please send us an email to mail[at]findedeinyoga.org . We are happy!

You can find all previously published articles in the “Values ​​and Yoga” series here .