by John Kasawa

This week, I want to explore ways to gather some energy and put it to good use in our practice. I don’t mean something that is hard to grasp. Energy can be potential or kinetic. This means it is something being used now, or something we allow to build inside so we will have power to take action later. It is really simple. We can actually describe ways in which we gain physical energy or emotional/spiritual energy. Oftentimes, people will discuss this with each other.

If you have never thought about these ways in which you gain the power to do the things you wish to do, think about how it has been drained in the past, and it will become very clear what I am talking about. Perhaps you have met someone who took an emotional/spiritual “something” and when you left, though you had done no physical work, you felt tired and needed rest, to eat, or spend time with someone who could help you renew your own energy. Next, you may think of how it feels to lose physical energy. When you need to eat, when you just ran 9 miles, when you haven’t slept in 20 hours. There are distinct sensations to these types of energy loss. Perhaps these experiences of how it feels to lack energy can give you clues to what we will be working with this week.

It is important to think about these things because ideally, we do not want to gain energy in ways that are harmful to ourselves or others. Also, we want to be sure that if we need this energy, we have identified good sources and maintain a healthy relationship with our bodies, minds, and spirits. Yoga is a great source of energy in itself, but have you thought much about how that happens, or how to increase this?

Today. Take a few moments and see if you can think of five ways to work to gain energy. Do you feel that you are pretty good at this? Do you think the ways in which you do this are helpful to yourself and others? Making your own list before we really get into ideas can help you to identify what you have tried before and what is really something new to work with.

Yoga Pose of the Day: any seated meditation pose (sit to think for at least 5 minutes)

Yogic Concept of the Day: In what ways do I gather energy for myself, not including eating.