By Natalie Phillips
The idea of walking back into a studio can be quite daunting after a considerably long time in isolation. Cut off from human connection and stripped bare of our basic freedom can significantly alter a person’s well being; affecting our sensitivity and confidence when stepping back out into the world.
Raising awareness to the fact most of us went through deep mental transformation, heavy moments of despair and personal losses. Entire lives were flipped upside down, and I’m here to tell you that I see the strength you have built up in times of solitude and you should be proud of the fact you that you have persisted and committed to growth with very little around you.
As a yoga teacher who facilitates classes to work around mental and physical blocks I want to remind you that you are not alone and the studio doors are always open for you whenever you are ready to return back to studio life. A whole variety of teachers including myself ready to share their knowledge on yogic practises such as breath-work that can uplift and energise your mind, down to techniques that offer a sense of calm and a better nights sleep.
Personally, collective guided meditation that is practiced in my classes has had a profound shift in my own life as well as those who turn up each week to share this experience.
Meditation is a deeply introspective experience for each individual and no journey is the same, but one common principle we all share when meditating is the unified intention to create peace and coherence with the elevated emotions of love and compassion; which when done together strengthens and creates an even more powerful effect. These theories on the experiential nature of meditation are deeply rooted within psychology as well as yoga theory. In his study ‘Becoming Supernatural: How Common People are Doing the Uncommon’ Dr Joe Dispenza writes
“Collective human consciousness where large numbers of people are intentionally focused on heart-centered states creates or affects the global information field. Therefore, elevated emotions of care, love, and peace can generate a more coherent field environment that can benefit others and help offset the current planetary discord and incoherence.”
“A powerful example is the Lebanon peace project, which brought together a group of meditators in Jerusalem in August and September of 1983 to demonstrate the “radiating influence of peace.” Although the number of meditators fluctuated over time, it was often large enough to achieve the super radiance effect for both Israel and nearby Lebanon. This effect happens when a group of specially trained meditators come together at the same time on a daily basis to create and radiate a positive effect on society. The results of the two-month study showed that on days when there was a high participation of meditators, a 76 percent reduction of war deaths occurred. Other effects included reduced crime and fires, decreased traffic accidents, less terrorism, and increases in economic growth. The results were then replicated in seven consecutive experiments over a two-year period during the peak of the Lebanon war.”
“To date, the power of temporary peace-gathering projects has been exhibited and thoroughly field tested in more than 50 demonstration projects and 23 peer-reviewed scientific studies scrutinized by independent scholars around the world.1 The results have consistently demonstrated a positive effect in the immediate reduction of crime, warfare, and terrorism by an average of greater than 70 percent.2 Think about that for a moment. When a group of people come together with the specific intention or collective consciousness to change some “thing” or to produce an outcome, if they create it with the energy and emotions of peace, unity, or oneness—without physically doing anything—that unified community can produce changes 70 percent of the time. To quantify the results of these studies, scientists use a measurement called lead-lag analysis.”
There is a community of like-minded people at Yoga on The Edge collectively healing and growing together. Ranging from beginners to advanced levels, so even if you haven’t ever practiced yoga before my classes are verbally and physically demonstrated each step of the way to support each person who walks through the door. Another way to boost confidence is by bringing a friend or family member along with you, a shared experience can be just as beautiful if you need that little extra support.
There is no singular truth to be found in movement and meditation, only a perpetual unfolding of impermanent truths. Be ready to make mistakes, be ready to transform through effortless effort. The 8 limbs of yoga for me is the ultimate discipline: “self discipline is when you forego immediate pleasure for the exchange of long term self respect”. From being both a student and teacher of this art of movement I have unearthed an abundance of mental tools and core values that I can wear on my belt. Trust me when I tell you that you appreciate and keep those tools sharp when you’ve gone through hardships to attain them. A journey of releasing and liberating primal impulses by understanding Pratyahara (the art of sensory withdrawal) touch, taste, smell, listen, see as we bridge the gap between deeper layers of self and the inside mind.
In my yoga classes I invite you to unearth each part of you: The ugly, the pretty, the sad, the happy. I believe authentic expression is the key to navigating through obstacles and beauty that life offers us, transmuting each layer of ourselves and learning to love all of it.
Interested to join? Please see our timetable to check available classes that are perfect for you.
Thank you for your time and energy
Natalie
