Inspirations: Archives

A newcomer to class, observing a Shakti Yoga Dance for the first time, told me he was surprised at how strongly it affected him.  He asked how I chose to put them together, why connect those particular Asanas?  Surprised by the question I had to question, how do these dances grow out of the mat? What is it about their ritual that is satisfying to many.  I was reminded of the writing in an old Breath, for it seems a very similar process. In 2005, I wrote, “Words are sacred because we choose them. Anytime conscious choice is involved, it is possible to make something sacred. ‘Sacred’ is defined as, ‘set apart or dedicated; consecrated by love or reverence. From Fr. sacre to consecrate; sacrer OF meaning ‘holy.’ The word ‘sacrifice’ comes in here as well. It is the act of making an offering to a deity, or making atonement; the giving up and, or creating something cherished.  When choosing a particular word, we sacrifice all other words/possibilities for that one. “ When choreographing, as with writing, the more consciously we sacrifice the multitude of poses, or steps, or words for one or two ‘sacred’ well-thought out ones, the more holy they are.  Does it not follow with everything in life that we ‘consecrate’ with love, time, and energy?  The more we give up, the more refined our choices.   Do our contributions not contain more of self?   And is that not more holy? The next time we step onto the mat and put energy into a dance, or an Asana, or choose a particular song to sing, a poem to write, a person to kiss, consider it as ritual made sacred, one that honors you, and makes the choice more holy. You could have chosen to do a lot of other things, like take a… Read more »