The Pause is the Practice: Why You’re Not Behind

Have you ever noticed that moment right after an exhale? Your body isn't quite empty, but it's also not quite full, it's just hovering in the middle... quiet. Sometimes life can feel like that. Unwritten emails, dishes soaking in the sink, a project that you've been working on but took a break and it's not quite ready yet. You might feel the need to rush to the next inhale, but it's important to appreciate the in-between. It might even be uncomfortable, but it's REAL.

The in between is part of the story

For some reason, growth is often thought of like a stair case or climbing a mountain. One steady step after the next, strong and constant, until you reach the peak. But have you noticed it never actually feel like that?

Just like nature, our healing can often feel more like nature's seasons. Think about it, that first cool morning that gets you excited for fall, but then the next day the sun is raging hot again. Or when spring starts to peek around the corner and things begin to warm up a bit, just to have a cold snap show up before you can put away your sweaters. Progress can even feel like you're sitting still and just trying to catch up. Sometimes progress is learning the same lesson again, and again, and again.Honoring the pause and not trying to rush forward isn't giving up, any more than nature is giving up when things begin to slow and prepare for a new season. It's in the quiet moments when our body can rest. Taking slow breaths, softening your gaze or focus, or feeling your heartbeat and breath with your hands are not small things. They all help the mind and body be just a little kinder to each other.

Svadhyaya lives here

In yoga philosophy there is a practice called Svadhyaya. Sva means self. Adhyaya means study. Svadhyaya isn't harsh judgement, auditing everything with a scalpel and vicious precision. It's looking inward with kindness, acceptance. (The 'curiosity, not criticism' that I mention in class so often) We can look at and learn from our patterns, pay attention to the tiny shifts beneath the surface, and ask questions with patience. But then you have to give yourself time to hear the answers. Svadhyaya is the bridge between learning and living... between the wisdom outside of us and the understanding inside of us.

The courage to stay

Staying present even during the 'not yet' is an important skill to hone. It's not easy to sit patiently in a cocoon when you feel like everyone else is already flying. Yoga teaches us that being in the moment (being truly present) is the real work.

Don't forget; self growth and even yoga itself doesn't have a destination. It's a journey. Every single day you show up for yourself, you're forever becoming.

Sometimes living in the moment requires doing less than you think you should. Sometimes it is taking that time for breathwork or a going on a quiet walk instead of rushing to the next line of your eternal to-do list. You must give yourself permission to rest, to cry, or to take a break before launching up the next step, if that's what you need.

Remember, There is no due date for each phase of growth, it's different for each person... think of how not all plants are supposed to be planted or harvested at the exact same time. You don't have time for an hour of practice? Taking a few moments of intentional breath and spending a few minutes in child's pose or legs up the wall is still practice. Taking a minute to stop and ask yourself "Wait, why am I reacting this way?" or "Why do I believe this?" That's also your practice. 

You are not behind. Read that again.

If there are so many people up ahead of you, you're not failing. If you're in the middle, you're not failing. If you've found yourself at a stand still as others press on past, you're not failing. It's important to give yourself permission sit with what's REAL. To truly listen to what you need and to be patient and courageous enough to embrace that, no matter what others might need at the time. A pause isn't a stop from growing, it's an important part of it. Trust your rhythm and know even the tiniest steps that aren't on your checklist all still count.

Give yourself time to listen to you: what do you need in this moment? What phase or season are you in right now? What does honoring this season look like for you? If the answer is a plea to pause just a little longer, to honor yourself and lean in your personal practice? That's your practice. And that is sacred.

Journal prompts

1. What is this pause revealing to me right now?

2. What can I see about myself that I could not see when I was rushing?

3. Where do I feel a small yes in my body, even if my mind is unsure?

When we study ourselves with kindness, even our uncertainty becomes information to learn from.

Sure, the fog might still there, but you know where your feet are right now, and which way they want to turn.

Let your pause be a welcome part of your practice.