There I was. On a cramped mini-bus, entering the hustling city of Antananarivo, Madagascar, where I’d been studying for the semester. I was returning from spending a few weeks on the East Coast, researching my capstone project. And all of a sudden, traffic stopped. The young man sitting next to me let me know there had been an increase in political protests the past week. We sat, and sat, and sat… The sunlight turned to a golden hue as the sun started to make its way down towards the horizon. A dread had been growing inside of me. I was not going to make it to the bus terminal in time to catch the last connecting bus back to my homestay family’s home. I was going to be in the city, alone, when it was dark. This had been one thing I had been warned about, not being alone after dark. Shit!!
PAUSING
Then I paused. I took a deep breath. And another. And one more.
My body relaxed a bit and my mind slowed down enough to turn to the young man again and start up a conversation. This conversation led to my dilemma and my concern. He also became worried for me and ended up telling me I was going to go with him to his family’s home. They would help me contact my host parents. It was 1997, way before cell phones were common in the US, let alone in the 10th poorest country in the world.
That pause, in the midst of worry and fear, allowed me to get back into a more clear mind so that I could start to connect with that man.
YOGA INCORPORATES PAUSING
Pausing helps, not only in stressful situations, but in everyday life. At that point in my life, I wasn’t connected to Yoga, so that pause was more instinctual than conscious. When I began to go to a Yoga class regularly, I began to become more aware of the pause, of my breath, and of my ability to use these two things to slow my mind down and be present. This helped me as much when I would be 100 feet up on a rock wall as when I was standing on my two feet trying to calm an emotional reaction.
Now, with a daily Yoga sadhana (spiritual practice), I start my day off with pausing and being present to myself. I also have brief moments throughout the day to pause and notice my environment, my breath, and my reactions. Pausing has become a way of life for me.
WHAT DOES PAUSING DO?
What is actually happening during the pause? Much of our daily existence is moving about in our habitual patterns, reactions, and comfort zones. We just get into autopilot and go. Pausing allows us to interrupt that autopilot and start being consciously aware. We can take in ‘data;’ from the environment and ourselves to consciously take action or respond to situations When we do this, typically, our response comes from an honest, clear place. It allows us to slow things down, like our thoughts and nervous systems. I know most people want to come from a calm place in situations and pausing is one of the key components to do this.
That pause back in 1997, on that cramped mini-bus, was what allowed me to decrease the hold of fear to find trust in a kind stranger. It all worked out. He led me through the winding, narrow streets from the bus depot to his family’s home. His parents were helpful in getting a hold of my host parents, who graciously came out in the night to retrieve me. This experience strengthened my belief in the inherent kindness of human beings.
STOP, BREATHE, AND NOTICE
The practice that I encourage everyone to do is simple: Stop, Breathe, and Notice. This can be done at any point in the day, no matter what is happening.
- In the shower
- Stopped in traffic
- Standing in line
- In a meeting
- Eating a meal
- Feeling stressed, frustrated, worried…pretty much feeling anything
Just start practicing! Allow the pause to become your ‘go to’ habit. Make it a way of life.
Here’s a Yoga Asana practice that incorporates pause throughout. As Kristine Weber says, “The Pause is as important as the movement.”
Namaste.
Twyla is owner of Samya Yoga Healing and a Yoga-based Counselor who holds space for others to heal, grow and connect in a loving way with themselves. If your heart desires living a more present and content life, consider joining her September 18th-22nd, 2022 at Joyful Journey Hot Springs for the “SAY ‘YES!’ TO YOURSELF” Yoga Retreat. Learn the Tools to Create a Confident, Balanced, and Joyful Life.