Joy

“We sometimes confuse joy with a society-sanctioned “happiness” which puts a kind of perennial happy face on all our doings. But such happiness is transitory and illusory; scratch the surface and you’ll find just the opposite…. Most people pretend to be happy, because that’s what you’re supposed to be; it’s the acceptable state of being. But true contentment is pretty rare.”

Joy doesn’t take effort in the moment. This joy, ananda or bliss in sanskrit, is the underlying current of who I am. If I am trying to be happy or joyful. I am missing the point entirely.

“Joy is naturally generous, and relaxed and open. It comes when our emotional energy flows freely in a dynamic of appropriate responses to our experiences. Many of us experience the natural high that comes in running or dancing or other physical activities, when you reach the point where your body is moving wholly, naturally, unforced–like an animal’s– with everything working and in sync. Such joy comes, of course, only when the other emotions of fear, anger, or sadness flow.” -Gabrielle Roth

Moving my body has literally been the only thing that consistently supports my deep happiness. Oh Gabrielle is amazing. Her words grant me permission. When I move my body in relationship to my breath all of my energies flow — all of my emotions clear and balance. When I move I don’t have to  “think” about why I feel a particular way, I don’t have to dig deep into why I am experiencing something — I’m past my mind and ego and I start to experience my emotions as energy, as aspects of my creative power.

As a yogi and mover, I am not (we are not!!!)  a psychologist. It’s such a slippery slope when yoga/dance teachers attempt to take on this role without proper training. As a teacher I am here to support another person in exploring their personal experience of their own energy. How can I do this unless I am doing it myself?  My personal experience is all I can truly learn from and all I can use as guidance for my work with others – to support them in moving with breath and presence. The shakti, the creative energy, is the healer and the knower.

I must get out of the way so I don’t get stuck in thinking it is me. For this to happen I must move my body with my breath. I can’t be afraid to move in ways that seem ugly, if I do, I am blocking an aspect of my self. When I move and dress and express myself completely, all my energies flow and clear and the ananda of my deep center sustains me.