We can never imagine how the practice of trust will show up in our lives. And, yet, we can practice it daily. Towards our Self, the Divine, and to others. It can certainly feel difficult at times, but, as in yoga, with practice, it becomes easier. And, it is said that when we trust ourselves more, it is easier to trust others.
Take that picture above, do you see the teacher? If you look almost dead center, you can see her standing, and it looks as if her top is white. If you guessed its me, you’re right. That was a free yoga class offered in Bryant Park in 2012. I had been asked weeks before if I wanted to teach one of these open classes, and of course I said yes! It was one of the, if not THE, largest class I have taught to date! I have no idea, maybe 200 people? Can you imagine? I was terrified and thrilled all at once! I had to wear one of those “Brittany Spears” microphone headsets so my voice would be projected out to the yogis and everyday New Yorkers just eating in the park. Yet, I knew I could do it. How did I know? I prepared an all levels class because I had no idea the types of bodies I would be teaching. And, I also made it all levels so that eveyone would be able to enjoy the class and make it theirs to explore. I trusted myself, and I trusted those in attendance would make their practice the healthful dance they for themselves that they needed in that moment. It was amazing. But, more than anything, as happens every time I teach, I trust God. I trust that Source will use me as a vessel for healing, connection, and service for peace, love, and healing. I trust that so deeply. I trust the words will come, the movements will connect, and that things will turn out fine. Yes, I prepare also, AND I trust and surrender.
But that story is small bits to bigger things in life for all of us. Like I said before, I knew I could teach that class because I trust Source. I trust that God is always working in me and others. See divine grace blog here. And, though I wont diminish my own feelings in the story above, what happens when when we are suffering? When we feel things are falling apart? When we experience a great loss? How do we trust then? What do we trust?…
Here is where the very definitions of trust can come in handy. I had never actually gone to look for the definitions. When I read them, I was blown away, for the first words in the definitions are ‘to blieve’, and ‘belief in’. Wow. I mean, my company IS called ‘Breathe and Belive’, lol!
Trust, noun, definiton: “firm blief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”
Trust, verb, definition: “to believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of.” -Oxford
I started this weeks classes off with the definitions and asked everyone to begin the practice to trust themselves. We also explored what it would mean and feel like to trust our bodies, our hearts, our intuition, and that divine grace within. We heard these quotes:
“Trust is not an obsession, it’s an extension of love. When we truly love someone, we give them our heart to hold in their hands. And, when that love is returned, that very trust is balm to our souls.” -Julie Lessman. What if you offered this trust/love to yourself as well?
“Don’t let insecure thoughts ruin something amazing.” -Kushandwizdom.tumblr.com. I just really liked this one in relationship to trust!
“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.”-Alan Watts. How beautiful. Each time I read this in savasana, corpse pose, I was feeling how the ‘water’ is the Divine.
What do you trust, dear reader? You trust your toothpaste is cleaning your teeth? Do you trust your yoga mat loves you no matter what? Do you trust your whole self completely? Feel free to write and let me know.
Breathe and Believe. *Amazing, believe, haha. Trust.*