Yoga with Anna Becket

I finished off the second part of this year's yoga classes with a 'step back' theme.

 

This involved stepping forward into poses on the first run, and then stepping back into them from balancing poses on the second and subsequent runs.

 

The idea behind stepping back was to consider and explore a couple of ideas. That stepping back from circumstances or situations, or just life a bit, can actually be quite difficult as a choice; certainly for me moving forward and ploughing on through are behaviours that I do instinctively and I want to challenge as they dont serve me.

 

Also, that stepping back can be challenging on the level of moving into the unknown or a blind spot - a change from the norm of moving forward - and it can play differently with the balance of a pose, in a way stepping forward doesnt have. And how, potentially, can we prepare ourselves for this blindspot and imbalance? On the mat or off it.

 

And can we also observe our reactions and/or mindset of stepping back and into what may be less secure footing.

 

I often choose themes that are current or useful in my life when not teaching a peak pose. I am looking forward to stepping back in August from classes and having a rest. And also hoping to use the time to consider how I can step back from some personal and challenging situations my life is currently going through, not to avoid them but to step back and view things with a clearer perspective perhaps? It's all a work in progress!

 

What does stepping back mean for you? Can you step back and detach from results and enjoy the process? Is there anything in your life you could do with stepping back from? That you would benefit in creating some space from?

 

If if there isnt, what about just pausing and stepping back from the constant push push and forward rush of life? Would just pausing between actions bring any benefits?