Shamata for the Holiday Season by Alison King Tigges

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Something like that?  Or…..maybe not so much? 

We are right in the thick of the holiday season.  This can be a beautiful and festive time for many, full of memories and magic and joy.  It can also be a time of hectic schedules, rushing around, loneliness, difficult family dynamics, and many other less-than-fun things.  Regardless of how the holidays land on you, it is fair to say for most of us, it can be a whirlwind.  The holiday machine does not exactly allow for slowing down or savoring.  It’s easy to put yourself on the back burner.

How is that going?  It is so easy to keep doing what we are doing, rather than slow down, take a hard look, and try to do something different.   Yoga helps us cultivate shamata (meditative calm; tranquility of mind).  Learning how to cultivate shamata or tap in at any time is a skill that pays off daily, if you consistently practice it. Luckily, a solid yoga practice will foster shamata on the regs.

At OTY, we pride ourselves in teaching the full spectrum of yoga in our classes.  Whether it is in the opening/closing meditation, chanting, a smart sequence designed to regulate your nervous system and leave your body feeling strong and mobile, or even teaching big philosophical lesson along the way--we include it all.  We need yoga and shamata for our bodies and minds always BUT ESPECIALLY when things are wild and crazy.  The ability to stay grounded is what helps us navigate the real world with more awareness and ease.  Yes, please!

As the busyness of the season continues, please do not forget to take care of yourself.  The end of the holiday season is also the start of a new year.  And although Jan 1 is simply an arbitrary passage of time, it is another good time to look inward and do something good for yourself. We are here to support and help you, regardless of when you begin (or begin again). 

Happy holidays from the OTY fam and most importantly, happy yoga-ing!