Transitions

In yoga training last weekend we were discussing transitions.  When you stop and think about it, transitions are everywhere in our lives as they are by definition the place where two things meet and change from one into the other.  They can take the form of physical transitions like where our hair and scalp meet, or the various joints in our bodies, or emotionally like the transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood.  Although they may differ in make up, they are often sensitive and can be tender and as such need to be treated with gentleness.  I am sure that I don't need to use the example of how much it hurts to have your hair pulled or to have your high school crush dump you for someone else.

As we contemplated the many transition points in our bodies and lives we moved our discussion to focus on movement between poses in a yoga class, and how those moments are often the times when students can injure themselves.  The reason for this increased risk of injury comes down to focus, and the shift of focus and integrity from the pose that the student is currently in to the one that they are moving into.  

The parallel between this and how we move through our lives is uncanny.  As we move from one stage to the next, if we lose our focus and presence and just push through to the next stage, are we at risk of hurting ourselves or others?  Can we remain mindful as we move from one place in time to the next instead?  How much would this practice impact how we move through our lives and the experiences that we have?

Thinking back over my life I absolutely have avoided wallowing in transitions.  In fact I feel that I was a transition Jedi at times - managing to hop, skip and jump my way from one spot to the next, almost like playing hopscotch at times.  It felt so much better to skip over the in-between times as those were more of a lull anyways and the good stuff was always just a move ahead of me.  Needless to say, I have also experienced more than my fair share of bumps and bruises as a result of choppy transitions and am ready to try a new practice.

I am ready to allow myself to fully experience life's transitions and the sensations that accompany it, regardless of how uncomfortable they may be or how badly I want to be in the next pose.  I am ready to move more slowly, to remain present and to ensure that I move with the fludity and care required knowing that these transitions don't last forever and will allow me to be ready for what comes next.