Samuel Strickland

My experience with Yoga is now over 10 years deep.

I have experienced growth through yoga that has reflected my highs and lows. As with other things in life I have had times when I didn’t go a day without it, and times when I didn’t give it any attention what so ever.

When I first became interested in Yoga, I was an avid young surfer, fit and somewhat flexible, or at least I thought so anyway. My spiritual practice then consisted of how much time I spent in the water communing with the ocean and drawing in my sketchbook. I took an interest to yoga when I came across an article in Surfer Magazine about some of the pros training techniques. Since I was convinced that I could obtain pro status in the surfing world, I decided to incorporate a training regimen into my life outside of just surfing as much as possible. Yoga, as it seemed was a logical step into boosting my agility, reflexes, and expanding my lung capacity.

As I searched for how to begin learning yoga, I didn’t feel comfortable going to a class, so I went to the local book store. Back then, the section that contained yoga books was sparse, with no more than a dozen options. I landed on the selection of B.K.S. Iyengar’s – Light On Yoga. The simple yet beautiful cover with the shadow of a figure in the Natarajasana pose with a beautiful orange sun behind him struck a chord within me. As I briefly read part of the intro, scanned the images of the poses, and read his descriptions of how to do them, I knew I had found it. I purchased the book, claiming to be “The Bible of Modern Yoga”, went home and began that same day what is now more than a decade of inner journeying through outer experience.

At the time, my intentions were to formulate my body and mind into a point of focus aimed for pro surfing glory. Little did I know that this would be the gateway into finding my spirit, my soul, the place of equanimity that resides within. As my practice in yoga blossomed, I began learning Pranayama, a Sanskrit word meaning to lengthen the prana or breath. At the time it had never occurred to me as to be something that could be done with the conscious intent of expanding the mind, not just the amount of time I could spend under water. I could not have imagined the place I would now be without yoga’s influence on my inner landscape. It should also be mentioned that as I do still surf regularly, it is hardly what fulfills me.

The breath is the fine line of living or dying, and as important as that sounds, it is something we hardly give any attention as to how well we do it. Our breath is the keeper of calmness, it allows an ease of demeanor and a balanced mind and attitude towards life. If you have ever noticed your breathing patterns during times of stress, and times of relaxation, you know that a deep easy breath equals a calm attitude and feeling within the body. You will also know that a short breath, high in the chest is usually the result of anxiety and stress. Learning to adopt an awareness of your breath will give you full access to your current level of inner calm, as well as train your mind to focus on the present moment, the only place breath exists.

Over the years, yoga and the breath have challenged me, not just physically, but spiritually, mentally and emotionally as well. I have grown spiritually through other means, however, yoga and pranayama have been staples in my spiritual diet throughout. I still find that my time on the mat reveals new challenges in my focus and balance, inner and outer. I encourage any of you who are looking for a way to tie the knot of spiritual growth with everyday living to give yoga a try, or at the least, learn conscious breathing. Getting into your body, into the present moment allows your soul the avenue to come forth and speak clearly, unfolding your truth straight into your mind, heart and breath.

Sometimes challenging ourselves to make a bold move in life and follow our truth requires mental and physical strength. When that is needed, the strength and peace of a spiritual practice that includes all facets of life is priceless.

 

Below is a poem/channel I wrote one night while practicing yoga before bed. Amazing what comes through when you allow it…

The Breath

As I inhale

I am this moment

I become aware of this place

this space

this breath

 

My belly expands

followed by my ribs

then my chest

 

Lungs full

Mind Still

 

All that was before this

has now passed

as has my influence upon it

 

My exhale slowly moves me

from this awareness

this time

 

Preparing me

to release the now

to move into the new

that my next breath

takes me to

 

As I sit within this

I am aware

the universe spins slowly

ever present

ever growing

 

The Moon ebbs and flows

The Sun feeds and grows

always in rhythm

pulling in the life force

pushing back out the creation

 

All from the now

All from the now

 

© Samuel Strickland