This short blog discusses an adventure that I partook in that challenged me on many levels. Interestingly, upon reflection, I found it made a wonderful analogy for the unending journey of samyoga = moving toward that which serves you.
Recently, I challenged myself by biking 22.3 miles starting at 6500 feet downhill to sea level on the Haleakala dormant volcano in Maui.
It was such a lesson in mindfulness as you had to go at a speed that was safe and in your comfort zone, look straight ahead, keep both hands on the handlebars/brakes, and move through changing climates. I encountered fog, wind, sun and rain. You also had to share the road with cars through the winding turns!
I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone but as I was engaged in the process, I found I became relaxed and eventually, I made it to my destination. I told myself that “I am safe” throughout the ride because this planted the seed neurologically to relax while staying alert. When we don’t feel safe or when we are in pain, our breathing patterns shift to shallow, choppy and in the chest only. When we can relax, we can shift our breath to one that is more fully expressed from chest to belly and that in turn helps tone the vagus nerve helping to regulate our heart rate and breath.
Upon finishing, I reflected on how this is a great analogy for an individual's healing journey.
You go at a pace that is in your comfort zone versus fast and careless (new habits take time to sprout) and wipe out. Samyoga (moving toward that which serves us) awareness takes time.
Mindfulness is key in going through the highs and lows or curves of creating change.
You will encounter "changing climates" as your mind/body/spirit move away from (viyoga) old patterns that keep you stuck and you slowly begin to experience life differently, fully.
You can do this...step by step until one day you realize how far you have come in doing something that seemed perhaps daunting in the beginning.
Share the road with the "cars" but stay in your lane no matter what. In other words, as you dedicate time to creating new healthier habits of self-care, stay mindful of those that support you versus those that derail your empowered new habits. This can be challenging, but mindset is key!
Breath is always key to accessing your “inner knowing”.
Mahalo (thank you)! Take great care, friends!