Listen
Listen with the intent to understand
Many of us think of yoga as being a way to get a stronger, a more flexible and a more mobile body. A consistent practise over time definitely results in all of these.
One of the other benefits that we may find along the way is that it can make us more mindful. Mindful of the way we are moving the body, mindful of our breath, mindful of when we need to slow down. It can also help us interact more mindfully with others.
Asana (yoga posture) practise IS a physical practise, but Yoga is so much more than just that. It’s about becoming mindful in our every day interactions with ourselves and those around us. It teaches us to pause and take a big breath before acting or reacting and it encourages us to listen.
Mindful Interactions
We’re all pretty caught up in our own lives, work, social calendars and various responsibilities. We see the world as it relates to us and our own experiences. Our minds are busy, jumping from one thought to the next, getting caught up in all sorts of narratives and stories. We also love to talk about ourselves and to share what we know, what solutions have worked for us, how knowledgable we are about certain topics.
But how many times have you been in a conversation, aware that the other person is speaking, but too busy formulating what you’re going to say next to really hear what they are saying? Or on the flip side - how many times has someone cut you off mid sentence because they just HAVE to tell you what they know? How did that make you feel?
Next time you are speaking with someone stay present. Let them finish, hear what they are saying to you. Know that you’ll get your chance to contribute.