Finding Our Voice. Teaching Yoga.

In an age where we are surrounded by sound it can be difficult to make ourselves heard.

Yoga teachings encourage us to cultivate acceptance, contentment, equilibrium, steadiness. Of course, we are not encouraged to shout, be forceful, be loud, be opinionated and to force our will on others.  And so, if we are already quite timid and have had past experiences of feeling overlooked or insignificant we can retreat evermore inwards and lose the ability to speak our truth. But ultimately, Yoga teaches us  to be true to ourselves and to find that part of us that is strong and pure.

As yoga practitioners we have learnt so much. Our bodies have been given permission to move and find expression and our mind has been fed with teachings from different ages and perspectives.

Teaching yoga allows us to give away what we have been taught. This is the greatest gift we can give ourselves; to let go of knowledge to free up space for more to be cultivated. Teaching yoga allows you to find your voice and empower others to find theirs.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

(Marianne Williamson)

There is a reason that the pure kernel of truth (our Self) is not buried in the deepest recesses of the earth or in the clouds or sea: it is within us.

The Self is not someone other than you.

(Kena Upanishad I:5)

Our practice is to uncover, discover and nourish our Self.  This journey can take us inwards and it can take us to places of deepest connection to the world around us. 

Here are a few practices that allow us to nourish our Voice;

Simhasana (lion pose)  One Variation;

In seated position ( but I have taught this in semi supine as well)  Connect to your breath.

Breathe in through the nose and put through the mouth.

When ready; breathe in through the nose and on the exhale roar like a lion (!) with a wide open mouth and stick out  your tongue. Repeat 5 times ( or more)

This has the effect of resetting your facial features.  Roaring and widening your mouth stretches muscles that we may not have realised were tense. Roaring loudly ( especially if you are not loud usually) takes you out of your comfort Zone.  It is playful but it is also deeply helpful for our wellbeing.

Brahmari; Humming bee breath

In seated ( or semi supine) bring attention to your breath.  You can close your ears and cover your eyes or simply sit. When you exhale; Hum. A variation is to bring the tongue to. the roof of the mouth and make a ‘ZZZZ’ sound. Repeat for at least 1 minute ( longer if you can). After practicing, sit and observe your feelings, emotions, thoughts and sensations. This practice is said to wake up our inner sound (nada) and on a physical level is great for relieving tension in our throat and jaw.

Mantra;

Chanting. Whether it is AUM, the Gayatri Mantra, Sa ta na ma, Om Mani Padme hum or any verse you have learnt, nothing allows us to find our Voice more than making sound. Sometimes we do not feel comfortable chanting but imagine what it would feel like to sing all the time with freedom, power and love.