Yoga and Friends

Yoga can be a very personal experience and something that the yoga student really needs to focus on at the beginning of their yoga journey. After some time or really at the start actually, yoga can be very magical to share with friends.

Yoga is many thousands of years old and the movements associated with each asana have been tried and tested by thousands of students and scholars before us all. It is the practice of yoga that allows us to release body toxins and slowly start to clear the mind and soul.

Learning about uniting the breath with movement is something quite illuminating and can allow life changing experiences to happen for the student. Practicing these postures with mindfulness and awareness is an amazing way to connect with other beings such as our friends or other yoga students.

Postures that release long time held issues and allow us to open our hearts are really something that is delightful to share with friends. I have started to practice with 2 particular friends recently it is has become quite a surprising experience. I did not realise how intimate it could be to practice together.

Practicing yoga with awareness and an open heart with friends allows us to link our energy together. With all students/friends activating udiana bandha (navel to the spine and scooping out the lower belly) our hearts instantly start to open and flourish. Our chests are full and our spines are lengthening. It is in this position that connection can occur.

A connection between souls at this point is quite profound and open. Vulnerability is something I have felt and chosen to cruise with. I want to share this time with my friends and I feel secure enough with these chosen people to show my real self. This is something new for me and I am loving it.

Recently I practiced with my teacher, alone, at 4 in the morning. We each have children and husbands and busy lives. The only time available that day for practice was then and we made a plan to meet and practice together. I was very excited as it was a new experience for me and something I was eager to try.

Little did I know how open and intimate this experience would be for me. I had to work on myself not to put up a little wall of protection around me to shield me from what???? Nothing to hide with her, here in this place of sanctuary. Even so, facing each other on our mats and performing upward dog (urdhva mukha svanasana) at the same time, our hearts were open and we were shining. I felt vulnerable but I chose to find peace with myself and allow her to really see me, scrumptious.

So I practiced and focused on being open to our energy and experiencing something truly sweet and new. Delightful experience all round.

Practicing with friends can also be great fun if you use it to ignite the soul and fly with the energy. Yoga friends make up a big part of my life now and we have a connection that is kind and sweet. I trust them with parts of myself I just do not show anyone else. A big gift I receive each time we practice together.