Yoga is an opportunity to set our intention to have a graceful practice. Being graceful in yoga may equate to feeling ease in the body and mind. It may also be expressed as the unity that yoga helps us establish connecting ourselves with our collective community.
Grace is an expression of ease. Ease does not mean easy. Grace in yoga is given space to grow when we focus on flow.
When we come to our mats, we draw our attention to the flow of our breath. As we move through our asana practice, we become attuned to our inhales and exhales. In. Out. Ease. Flow.
Sun salutations warm our bodies through stretching, folding, breathing, and engaging our muscles. We mindfully link our breath to each movement. We may set an intention at the start of class that we begin to explore as class progresses. Or we may be along for the ride that day.
Once we’re warmed up, we have the opportunity to practice grace by embracing the feedback our bodies give us in strengthening and balancing poses. Our heart rates increase, our blood pumps stronger, our muscles fire, and our breath intensifies.
Yoga poses like boat, humble warrior, and tree are not necessarily easy, but they are chances to explore grace. Our teachers remind us to keep breathing through all the sensations that arise during class so we can play with ease and practice grace.
Shavasana is the ultimate opportunity for us to express grace in class. We are supported by the earth as our bellies rise and fall. We are filled up with the life-force of prana, and we become part of the flow. We surrender in ease.
Instead of holding ourselves to an external standard of what grace is, yoga presents us with the opportunity to explore grace through the flow of our practice. We can then refine our intentions to practice grace internally as well as in unity with our greater communities.