Take a few moments to make any adjustments you need to settle into stillness,
Finding a place where your body and mind feel supported,
Stable and safe.
Know that you can always move during this meditation if you're uncomfortable.
But taking time here to really settle in,
Finding a place where you can be as still as possible for the next several minutes.
And know that you don't have to create or come up with anything here.
Everything you need is already within you.
Here we are creating space for stillness and silence to help you listen deeply for your own voice to what you're really longing for.
Space to hear what you're being drawn to.
Sense the rising and falling of your breath.
Feel your belly rising,
Expanding with each in breath,
Releasing the out breath without force,
Just letting it naturally fall away.
You don't even have to think about it.
Just feel your in breath rising,
Your out breath falling,
Rising,
Falling.
And if thoughts arise in your mind,
Know that's normal.
You can bring your attention back to that feeling of your belly rising as you breathe in,
Falling as you breathe out,
Rising,
Falling.
Rest your attention on your breath.
Bring your attention now to the parts of your body that make contact with the ground.
Heels,
Tailbone,
Shoulders,
Arms,
The back of your head.
Feel everything heavy,
Relaxed.
And notice if there are any areas of your body where you're holding on.
See if you can send your breath to those areas,
Softening,
Getting heavier,
Letting go,
Letting go,
Letting go.
You are supported and held by the earth below you.
With a sense of curiosity and kindness toward yourself,
I invite you to reflect back on the last months or years or decades that you've been teaching yoga.
What have you learned over this time?
What have you discovered about yourself over the last months,
Years or decades?
Know that you don't need to force any answers here.
We're just taking this time to make space for anything that comes up.
And just noticing what's here.
And know that if nothing is coming up for you right now,
That's okay,
Too.
You're welcome here just as you are.
Bringing your attention back to the present.
And now considering the next weeks and months and years and even decades ahead.
Ask yourself,
Who am I?
We all have a tendency to identify ourselves with different roles that we play,
Objects in our lives,
Relationships.
Yoga encourages us to go deeper into our being,
Finding our true essence,
Our true self.
This place inside that's beyond all external labels,
External anchors.
And take a few slow,
Deep breaths.
And settle your awareness in the area of your heart.
And silently continue to ask yourself,
Who am I?
Listening without expectation for any answers that emerge from your deeper mind.
If your mind has wandered,
Draw your attention back as best you can without judgment.
And now ask yourself,
What do I want?
What do I really want?
As humans,
We are beings with many different layers and many different types of needs.
We have basic physical needs for food,
Water,
Shelter.
Deeper emotional needs for connection,
Achievement,
And creative expression.
By continuing to ask yourself,
What do I want?
You can deepen your connection to yourself,
To your true nature,
To your soul.
And this is the goal of yoga.
Draw your attention back to your heart.
And finally ask yourself,
How can I serve?
How can I be of service?
How can I help?
Looking for any answers,
Or words or images.
Maybe even just beginning to notice a feeling.
Notice whatever arises here.
And know that if nothing does,
That's okay,
Too.
You have unique gifts and talents that you bring into this world.
Expressing your gifts in service to others through teaching yoga and many other ways allows you to connect with your true purpose in life.
Know that you're already serving your community,
Your friends,
Family,
Your students,
With your energy,
With your care and interest in sharing the practice of yoga.
Deepak Chopra writes,
As you progress in your practice,
You may find that the answers to the questions,
Who am I?
What do I want?
And how can I serve?
Emerge from a deeper layer of your being.
You may find your sense of identity changing,
Reflecting a more expanded view of yourself.
When you begin to recognize that your essential nature is unbounded and eternal,
Life becomes joyful,
Meaningful,
And carefree.
I invite you to continue resting here for a few final moments of stillness and silence.
Welcome a deeper breath in.
As you begin to prepare to step back into your day,
I invite you to see if you can bring this sense of curiosity and interest with you.
May your day,
Your week,
And your year be filled with peace and possibility.
