Inspirations from the Mat
Making it to the mat
As my kundalini yoga teacher says, just “making it to the mat” may be the most important step in any consistent yoga practice.
She means it in the physical sense – make it to your yoga mat to begin. It is, however, of course, so much more than that. It’s the launching pad that sets you up for spiritual, energetic, emotional and mental acuity, and yes dare I say, enlightenment. Okay, so maybe my even mentioning the word “enlightenment” brings out eye-rolls from some of you. Or, for others of you, it may truly serve as your inspiration. Either way, it’s important to make it to the mat!
Our Sunday morning kundalini yoga class has become my church, if you will. It sets the tone for my whole week. So, too, does “making it to the mat” – as often as possible (and it’s especially powerful to do on a daily basis). I’ll speak more to the importance of a daily practice in another post. For now, take my word for it – consistent, daily practice (yoga or otherwise) reaps rewards both tangible and intangible!
Led by our kundalini teacher, in our Sunday group, we recently completed our second round of a 40-day practice. For me, making it to the mat, during the early morning hours especially, brings about a deep and beautiful communion – a communion with natural rhythms, a renewed connection to Spirit, and a solid groundedness for the day.
Why the early morning hours? Known as the ‘ambrosia hours,’ the early morning hours signify when the world is quiet and fluid.
The kundalini tradition places special emphasis on the morning hours, due in large part to it being the time of day when nature’s energy is at its highest. Just as nature flows more fluidly at this time, so too does our spirit, and well-being. I invite you to treat this time as sacred. Your soul will thank you for it!
As poets and songwriters have often penned, it is true that it is always the darkest before the dawn. As in nature, the soul – like the sun – awakens and emerges, bringing with it the light to shine on us all. The ancient Celts believed this, and it stands just as true today. I invite you to approach each day with a sense of renewal. It’s a fresh opportunity to shine your light as only you can shine it. Imagine the possibilities!
Take this very day, TODAY, for example. Would today have been different, had you started it during the early morning hours with a sense of renewal, and embracing it as a fresh start? If you did start today with a morning practice, reflect on how you felt during those morning moments. What did setting aside this sacred time, just for you, set into motion? And, consider this: what will you do differently tomorrow? Jot down what comes to mind. Or, better yet, get quiet and let your intuition speak. What does your soul desire for you to do differently tomorrow?
I’d love to hear what comes up for you. Please share by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!
I was so happy to find this today! I have been pretty depressed and sleeping until noon or after every day since I graduated from University (finally, and at age 62!) Your Note may be a reason for me to “try the try that will make it” (Clarissa Pinkola Estes).
Penniless, yet living in a house my husband owns, eating food bought by him, wearing clothes provided by him; Alone, yet living with a husband and teenaged son; Non-creative, yet owner of a Baby Grand piano, art books, paints and pencils, in possession of a singing voice; So very sad, yet surrounded by two beautiful felines and a super special guinea pig, Humphrey. . .may your Notes and my Soul come into alignment along with all others who read them.
Thank you.
Jane, thank you for sharing your story. I’m honored that Soul Notes has brought you some solace. Many blessings to you.
Thank you for sharing! Tomorrow I will set the intention to conduct my yoga practice in the morning shortly after waking up. I could be more consistent in connecting & grounding each day.
Molly, here’s to your sacred morning yoga practice, and to you honoring you!