Practicing Surrender

Hello my friend!  I know it’s been a minute since I sent out my last Sunday Snack.  Following my lovely trip to Belize in March life got a little wonky on me and my energy was spread a wee bit thin.  I came back from a blissful 10-days in paradise to a VERY long and non-negotiable “to-do” list and on top of that a very energetically draining legal situation with my ex…ugh.  

I was digging deep in my yoga tool kit to find my flow and stay on top of what I needed to, but at the end of the day was just mentally tapped out.

It’s funny how we can think we’ve done a top notch job letting the shit go and then, ta-da, it comes back to visit us again.  What I’ve come to realize is that this is a test from the Universe to see if we have really truly been doing the work or if we have just conveniently boxed up all that old crap thinking it would just disappear on its own.  
That was definitely how “pre-yoga” Mary dealt with all of the uncomfortable, painful and icky life stuff.  Put it in a box up on a shelf and pretend it didn’t exist.  

So. Not. Healthy.  

Fortunately, I do have a pretty awesome yoga tool kit nowadays and this past week I dug deep down in there to find what I needed to make a big life U-turn and get back on track.

The teaching I turned to was the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana which is the last of the Niyamas in the second limb of the teachings of Yoga.

Here’s a little explanation of the concept from my friend Google and AI:  

Ishvara Pranidhana, a term from the Yoga Sutras, translates to "surrender to the Lord" or "dedication to God". It's the fifth and final Niyama (observance) and encourages a practice of devotion and surrender to a higher power, whether it's a personal deity, a spiritual concept, or the fundamental nature of reality. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Ishvara:
  In Sanskrit, Ishvara can refer to a supreme being or a personal God, but it can also be understood more broadly as the ultimate reality or principle that underlies all existence. 
• Pranidhana:
  This term signifies "to dedicate, devote, or surrender". 
• The Practice:
  Ishvara Pranidhana in yoga practice involves surrendering to a higher purpose, letting go of ego-driven goals, and trusting in the natural flow of life. It's about recognizing that we are not solely in control and that there is a greater power at play. 
• Benefits:
  By practicing Ishvara Pranidhana, one can cultivate humility, devotion, and trust, leading to a deeper connection with oneself and the universe. It can also help to release stress and anxiety by acknowledging that we are part of a larger plan. 
• Practical Application:
  This principle can be applied to various aspects of life, from yoga practice to daily routines. It encourages a sense of acceptance and surrender to the things we cannot control, while focusing on the aspects we can influence. 

As with any life skill, it takes a lot of repetition and practice to truly surrender.  We are hard wired to want to cling, to control, and to hold on for dear life.  But, sadly, all this creates is stress and tension.  You feel it in your body, your breath and your mind.  Everything clenching and waiting for tragedy to strike.  When really, what we need is to open our hands, our heart and get out of that crazy monkey mind for a minute and realize that the only things we truly can control are our amazing breath and what thoughts we choose.
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Just when I was searching for inspiration last week I came across a fantastic post that was 100% what I needed to be reminded of.  Sadly I grabbed it so quickly that I forgot who posted it…eek!  Hoping the account pops up again so I can give credit where credit is due.  But for now, here’s the quote that I loved:

So, my friend, my advice to you when you feel yourself clenching and clinging, trying so hard to control life or feeling like life is just totally out of control is LET GO.  Sit down with your palms up on your lap, spine tall, and take 5 letting go breaths.  In through the nose and out through the mouth.  With each exhale say in your mind, “I let go.”  Then place your hands on your heart and for 5 more gentle breaths say to yourself, “I trust, I surrender, all is well.”  

No, this will not magically make the icky stuff go away, but it will make it lighter each time you do the practice.  It’s like strengthening a muscle, so repeat it often until it feels like home.

​Ahhhh….doesn’t it feel good to truly let go?  To be fully present in the NOW and able to appreciate all of the simple blessings that are right here?  Today I will focus on my sweet little pups who I just adore, on quality time with my amazing man, and on this truly wonderful life we share.  I will not allow the energy of the past to cast a dark shadow on the light of this moment.  I will practice surrendering and letting go over and over knowing that the Universe has my back!