This is the sixth in a new series I started this fall and am continuing through winter, all inspired by a book I have been reading: How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach

This book works to explain the practice of yoga through a novel, the story of a young woman introducing and teaching the practice, all the while teaching us as well. As I read I am finding myself inspired to share with you. I hope you will enjoy this series as I highlight pieces of the book that gave me pause and got me excited to be in conversation with you. Let me know what you think as we go!

The last post discussed continued breath discussion, not surprisingly, because breath is so key to life and yoga. They talked about the power of breath and the pace of it, mostly during poses and flows. So it wasn’t surprising to see breath resurface later in the book around the breath in restful poses, not just when practicing the physical poses of yoga.

She tells him: “But there are also poses where the goal is to bring the breath down to a very fine, quiet flow — almost as if you were asleep, or listening quietly to a very lovely piece of music. These are the most important poses of all, because these are the poses where you switch over from working on the channels from the outside to working on the channels from the inside” (81).

You are probably already thinking about those poses and moments, when you feel this and practice yoga like this. Not only is it powerful; it is effective. She takes her student back to original point of the physical poses — to prepare for the quiet moments.

As she says, “In the old days, doing the poses had only one goal. …the original purpose of the poses was to make you healthy and strong, and straighten out your thought-winds, to the point where you could meditate well, in a whole variety of different ways — always maintaining a balance between the effort it takes to keep your mind from getting sleepy, and the relaxed feeling you need to settle it down and keep it from thinking of too many other things. And the original poses, the earliest ones, were just different ways of sitting for comfort and steadiness as you meditate” (84-5).

Not surprisingly, he feels a little intimidated by the mention of meditation, and I love how she gets him started. “…what we’re going to do is just sit. We’re going to sit together silently. … We are going to do silent sitting, and that’s all” (85).

I love this representation because too often I find students have perfection in mind when they think about those who meditate regularly and do not realize that meditation is just like yoga — a practice that looks and feels differently each time.

Why Silent Sitting Matters

Silent sitting bridges the gap between the physical and mental aspects of yoga. By settling the body through poses and calming the mind through breath, we create space for meditation and contemplation. This practice:

1. Reduces Stress: Silent sitting activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones.
2. Enhances Focus: By practicing stillness, we train our minds to stay present, improving concentration.
3. Promotes Self-Awareness: Silent moments help us connect with our thoughts and emotions, fostering personal growth.
4. Improves Overall Well-Being: Meditation can boost mental health, improve sleep, and support your physical health.

No one is perfect; everyone’s mind wanders; but the benefits are still impactful and significant. That is the key. Each practice we are in a different place — mentally, physically, emotionally. Wherever you happen to be is perfectly fine and where you need to be.

I hope that gives you some things to think about in regards to your yoga.
I hope you enjoy a few breaths, at the pace you need and have today.
I hope you spend some time on your mat and with your practice this week.

Tips for Starting Silent Sitting

If you’re new to silent sitting, here’s how you can begin:

1. Find a Comfortable Space: Choose a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted. Use a cushion, chair, or your yoga mat to ensure comfort.
2. Set a Timer: Start with just 2-5 minutes. Gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable.
3. Focus on Your Breath: Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Feel the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation of air entering and leaving your nostrils.
4. Let Go of Perfection: It’s natural for your mind to wander. When it does, gently guide your focus back to your breath.
5. Practice Regularly: Like yoga, meditation is a practice. Each session will feel different, and that’s okay.

How can I help?
–TG

If you are interested in building your meditation & silent sitting practice, resources to support you are important as well. My Yoga with TG Membership includes an entire module of meditations in the on-demand library of daily practices. You can cue them up over and over again, try out different ones and different types, and enjoy the outcomes. Less than $1/day.