Experiencing Impermanence in Yoga

by Ramesh Gambheera, Yoga Instructor and Engineer

We suffer in life as we hold on to things that are dear to us and push away things that cause pain. Change is the only unchanging thing in this Universe. We are changing every day. People, things and environment around us are changing constantly every day. How many of us honestly examined ourselves changing everyday let’s say looking at the mirror. Yet we look puzzled when we look at the old photographs of us that may be taken a few years ago and suddenly realizing that we did change quite a bit! Suffering happens when we deny this natural change.

Yoga practice like everything else in life is dynamic. Everything about our yoga practice is changing every day. Let’s use our yoga to realize the impermanence in life. There is nothing like a “static” yoga posture. Our breath is changing through the posture and through the inhales and exhales. The thoughts are changing from the beginning of the class to the end of the class. Emotions may be constantly changing throughout the practice. We may be proud of doing a particularly difficult pose in the class, but it is possible that you may not be able to do this pose may be after a few years from now. Nothing about this is pessimistic. The suffering only happens when we dearly hang on to things that are bound to change. Developing a non-attachment to our practice is the way to look objectively at our own selves, and ultimately about reality. Yoga practice happens when we are in the present moment neither rejecting nor attaching to our own bodies, but using this experience to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Next time, when you become aware of this impermanence in your practice, take a deep breath and SMILE and enjoy the present moment!

Ramesh's class, Shakti Yoga is on Sunday mornings at 9am at Gracetree Yoga + Growth Studio. Experience the Shakti power of Ramesh's Ashtanga style of yoga. Peace.

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