Santosha – “Contentment, peace.” Santosha names the practice, or niyama, of seeking joy and serenity in life, perceiving the perfect state of balance and perfection in God’s creation.” – source
I almost did not practice yoga today. I went back and forth for hours about whether or not I was going to go to my favorite 4 p.m. class and even almost turned around as I was driving there. I am not sure why I was avoiding practice today but I am so grateful that I did. It felt so good and so right.
My teacher put us into malasana, which is a deep hip opener and open hips = open emotional channel, and held us there for over a minute (she said it was 30 seconds but I know these yoga teacher tricks). Malasana can be somewhat uncomfortable to hold without blocks to sit on and your really have to focus inward to allow yourself to surrender to the pose. We were instructed to close our eyes and look for santosha.
My teacher asked us what we were waiting for to find contentment in our lives…living in the perfect city, finding the perfect partner, leaving a partner, having a baby, children leaving the nest, the right job and so on. The point being that we’re always waiting for something bigger, better, happier, prettier, more, more, more; when really we need to focus on the moment that we’re in and find contentment and happiness in it.
Sullie is very good at finding her santosha. This is life. Right now, this moment, today. Live it and be as happy and joyful as possible.
*Want to read more about santosha? Check out this article.
*Do you live in Charlotte? Get yourself to Suzanne Bergen’s class at Charlotte Yoga. And then thank me later.
What a great thought in your yoga class. I am definitely always looking to be content and nothing is good enough and I tell myself I need to do this, this, and this to achieve happiness and success when it’s like I am missing out on the now and need to appreciate how good life is and how great I am 🙂 I am glad you decided to go today-sounds like it was a great decision!!
PS. your arms look fab!
love this, i am always waiting for what’s next. going to live in the moment right now!
Im not sure if you’ve ever practiced in Charleston, SC, but if you have, do you have a favorite yoga studio?
Thank you. I needed this today.
Thanks for the yoga suggestion! 🙂
I can’t wait to try this pose!
My husband and I have been talking a lot about this lately. For so long we’ve been waiting for certain things to be perfect…but in reality, it never will be. It’s time to embrace the present and stop waiting for everything.
This really strikes a chord with me today. Thanks for sharing! Wish i could have been in the class to experience it for myself…
I am so disappointed I missed Suzanne’s class today. I usually go to her Wednesday class, since I can’t make any of her morning classes. She is one of those people that you not only want to take class from because she is such an incredible instructor, but you also want to get a drink with her on a Friday night! She is so smart, and funny, and witty, and motivating…the list could go on and on.
Such a good reminder, so easy to forget (and what better place to come back to the concept of finding contentment in the present moment than malasana 🙂 )
I attended a class Friday and we did goddess. I usually hate that pose because it’s very challenging but for some reason my hips were already pretty open. I actually really enjoyed the pose for once!
This is so true.
I absolutely adored this. And it’s so true… living in the present and being happy with what is is an ongoing battle for me. Santosha is are hard one for me, but oh-so important. Thanks for the lovely reminder 🙂
Love. This. Post.
thanks for the links, will be checking out that article for sure!
Wonderful post. Thanks for the links. 🙂
Love your posts lately! We haven’t heard about Brandon in a while, what’s he up to while you’re busy with Metro? 🙂