The Language of Choice

As Mary Oliver would say, "Some questions you might ask:.."

How do you speak to yourself?

Do you throw “shoulds'' and “you need tos” around with a little too much ease?

Do you use an unkind word as a motivator or a dare?

Do you challenge versus encourage, demand versus ask?

If you’ve taken any of my classes, you know that I’m all about options. For people who just want to shut off and be told what to do, I am not your girl. And I don’t say that with judgement. There are plenty of times when I just want to follow the leader. I’m just not that leader. 

I’m interested in inspiring your curiosity - in asking questions that help you check in and notice what’s right for you moment to moment. 

Today I taught a yoga class that took choice to the next level. There were moments when some students were seated in a chair, others were using the chair to support a standing pose and still others were in a standing pose without support. And I too, made my way through class exploring different options in this fashion.

And what I found at the end of the class was that I felt so much more expansive. I felt the possibility of so many things. The process of asking my body over and over, what it wanted - what would be both supportive and nourishing, left an imprint on my mind and on my outlook. My thoughts felt more open and curious - my outlook felt more expansive. Directives shifted to options and thoughts of scarcity shifted towards abundance. With no part of me crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently, I felt more at ease with myself - less judged and more accepted. 

I practiced yoga with the language of choice as my guide and doing so, helped me bring more curiosity and possibility into my day.

We all know through our own roles as teachers, parents, friends, partners and caregivers, that people respond best when they’re not backed into a corner and told what to do - when they’re given options. And I’ll bet that most of the time, you interact with others from that knowing. You are more likely to ask or suggest than to demand or order. 

But what about you? Don’t you deserve that same care? Number 3,347 why mindfulness is so important. Taking a moment to pay attention to the function of your thoughts can illuminate so much! I say function because it’s less about the thought and more about the underlying intention of the thought. 

If I tell myself, for example, that I have to stand in warrior one for 20 breaths without the option of a break or additional support, what I might really be saying to myself is - you don’t deserve support, or, you're not strong enough and this is what you have to do to build strength. But what if instead, that voice said something like, why don’t you try it both with and without support and see how it feels? Or, how about the more supportive option since you’ve been working really hard and you’re tired today?

Paying attention to the way we talk to ourselves, the tone we use, the compassion or lack of that we exude can make all the difference. And moving through your day with this background sensation of choice can be a game changer.

Consider this a gentle invitation. Of course, it’s totally up to you:)

If you’d like to explore this concept through movement, you are also invited to join the Your Yoga Community. A free one-week trial might make the decision a little easier.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you. Scroll down to see what else is on the horizon.


Wishing you a day full of curiosity and possibility. 

Much love,

Rachel


P.S. If you'd like a little Mary Oliver inspiration, scroll all the way down:)

Offerings and Ways to Connect:

Yoga For Bone Health: An Integrative Approach - Join me for this 2 hour workshop on Sunday, May 23, 10am-noon (MST).

Costa Rica Retreat, June 13-19 - We are have one or two more spots! If you would like to join us, please send me an email.

Your Yoga: A Virtual Community - this the sweetest online community ever. We practice on zoom 4 times a week (vinyasa, restore and meditation) and all classes are recorded. 

Individual Yoga Therapy - I have a couple of available spots. If you'd like to talk about whether yoga therapy is a good fit, you can set up a discovery call here.

Virtual Coffee Date - I'd love to say hi. Reply to this email and let me know if you'd like to chat.

"Some Questions You Might Ask" by Mary Oliver

Is the soul solid, like iron?
Or is it tender and breakable, like
the wings of a moth in the beak of the owl?
Who has it, and who doesn’t?
I keep looking around me.
The face of the moose is as sad
as the face of Jesus.
The swan opens her white wings slowly.
In the fall, the black bear carries leaves into the darkness.
One question leads to another.
Does it have a shape? Like an iceberg?
Like the eye of a hummingbird?
Does it have one lung, like the snake and the scallop?
Why should I have it, and not the anteater
who loves her children?
Why should I have it, and not the camel?
Come to think of it, what about the maple trees?
What about the blue iris?
What about all the little stones, sitting alone in the moonlight?
What about roses, and lemons, and their shining leaves?
What about the grass?