Space
“Space is ‘a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied’.”
Do you ever feel like you don't have enough space? Space is 'a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied'.
This weekend I've been practising yoga with Scott Johnson at Merchant City Yoga in Glasgow. I rediscovered some space in my body and I found some space in my mind, result! I never get bored of exploring and marvelling at the mind body connection.
The thing I know about space in the physical body is that there is a sweet spot of just enough effort and just enough gentleness. The less efforting that there is, the more space there is. I know this to be true from teaching but when you practice alone day in day out it can be easy to forget this as you struggle alone. I love that moment of surprise and wonder when a student finds that extra space. Today I was that student and the wonder no less because I know it's possible and can create it for and with others.
That space wasn't given. That space was already there. That space is always there.
So why haven't I been able to find that space on my own recently? Probably because I had lost my focus and intention a little, it happens, none of us are perfect. My mind has been busy with other things, setting up my business, leaving my job, worrying I don't have it in me to make this work and all the day to day things that go along with all this. I practice yoga for the space, the stillness and for the silence. Being reminded of this brings a different quality to the practice. Today I fully practiced for that, in that and today I found space in my body, I was supported to find even more space and the places I used to go made a quiet reappearance.
Space in the body also enables space in the mind. Taking a gentle approach to life and work and all that involves creates space. The more we effort, the less space we feel we have. I know this to be true, I know that if I take some time out, some time for stillness I will have a great idea (well they're not all great but they are ideas at least), get some clarity on something that's been bothering me or that I can't figure out, feel better and be able to think better.
I can create some space for myself but just as a yoga teacher can help a student find even more space it can also be helpful to have support to find that space in the mind. This is why I love coaching, both being coached and coaching others. Facilitating a space in which someone can think uninterrupted and think deeply is powerful. It is also an honour and one I don't take lightly.
The space is there, we just have to create the conditions for us to be able to see it, hear it, feel it. We don’t have to do this alone. How can you commit to creating space for yourself?
