Steadiness and Ease...off the mat

Natarajasana @ Big Island, HI

​"Sthira sukham asanam"​ Yoga Sutras 2.46 

Sthira sukham asanam is a principle found in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, explaining the meaning of asana: the physical practice/postures of yoga. From Sanskrit, this line translates as "meditative posture is steady and comfortable". In regard to meditative posture, the Yoga Sutras mainly describes asana as an easeful and steady seated posture one takes during meditation practice.
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​However this idea of cultivating comfort and stability can be applied to all asana, not just seated postures. Developing strength and balance in Tree or Half Moon pose requires both sthira: steadiness and sukha: ease. One simple way to practice sthira and sukha is through breath awareness. Noticing how the breath changes from calm and steady when in a seated posture to possibly shallow and strained during a more challenging posture can be very insightful. Whether tense or calm, each form of breath naturally reflects the state of the body and mind. This awareness helps one to adjust their posture into a more easeful and steady position for an authentic expression of the asana. 

So why limit this principle just to the physical aspect of yoga? Finding ways to tune into our innate sthira and sukha during the more challenging aspects of life brings this helpful practice off the mat and breath awareness is key. The breath connects the body/mind, allowing one aspect to affect another. Consciously slowing down and deepening the breath can directly ease the nervous system, promoting the relaxation response aka "rest and digest mode" throughout the body and mind. From a calm and grounded place, it can be a bit easier to maintain equanimity and function during times of high stress. Being aware of how the body, breath, and mind responds to tension and exploring ways to adjust into a more easeful and stable state of being, looks and feels different for everyone. If this principle of balancing sthira and sukha resonates with you, may you find your own way to connect with breath, root down and be in your center, at ease <3